Lead Automation and Controls EngineerPosition SummaryThe Senior Automation and Controls (I&C) Engineer - Corporate Engineering (Chemical Manufacturing) provides enterprise-level technical leadership for instrumentation, process control, and automation systems across multiple chemical manufacturing sites. This role establishes and governs corporate standards, leads high-impact capital projects, and supports sites in ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation of control systems governing hazardous chemical processes.
Operating within a multi-site environment, the position acts as a technical authority for DCS, SIS, and critical analytical instrumentation, balancing site-specific needs with standardization, scalability, and lifecycle optimization.
Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership & Engineering• Lead the design, specification, and lifecycle management of instrumentation and control systems for chemical processing units, utilities, and offsites.
• Develop and maintain control philosophies, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), cause-and-effect matrices, interlock narratives, and alarm rationalization documentation.
• Design DCS, PLC, and SCADA architectures with appropriate redundancy, segregation, and high-availability strategies.
• Support control strategies in accordance with ISA-88, including recipe management and phase logic where applicable.
• Oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and post-startup optimization.
Safety, Compliance & Reliability• Design, validate, and maintain Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) in accordance with IEC 61511/61508 and company process safety standards.
• Participate in and support HAZOP, LOPA, PHA revalidation, and SIL determination activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards including OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, NFPA, API, IEC, ISA, and local authority requirements.
• Implement and maintain alarm management programs in accordance with ISA-18.2 and EEMUA 191.
• Improve unit reliability and availability through diagnostics, preventive maintenance strategies, and control system lifecycle management.
Project Delivery• Serve as the corporate A&C discipline lead for multi-site capital projects, including new units, expansions, and technology transfers.
• Develop corporate project execution standards and engineering work processes for automation and controls.
• Support front-end loading (FEL/FEED), technology evaluations, and business case development.
• Provide technical oversight for EPCs and system integrators across multiple sites, ensuring consistency and quality.
• Support global procurement strategies, preferred vendor selection, and lifecycle cost optimization.
Operations Support & Continuous Improvement• Provide advanced troubleshooting for process upsets, instrumentation failures, and control system abnormalities in hazardous chemical operations.
• Lead root cause analyses (RCA) related to process control, instrumentation, and SIS events.
• Identify and implement control strategy improvements to enhance yield, quality, energy efficiency, and environmental performance.
• Support management of change (MOC) processes related to instrumentation and control modifications.
• Maintain accurate documentation, backups, version control, and cybersecurity hygiene for OT systems.
Mentorship & Collaboration• Function as a corporate subject-matter expert and escalation point for site I&C engineers and technicians.
• Mentor site and regional engineers, sharing best practices and lessons learned across the enterprise.
• Collaborate with corporate process safety, IT/OT cybersecurity, reliability, and digital transformation teams.
• Facilitate cross-site communities of practice and technical governance forums.
Required Qualifications• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 8-12+ years of progressive automation and controls engineering experience within chemical manufacturing or petrochemical facilities.
• Extensive hands-on experience with DCS platforms commonly used in the chemical industry (e.g., Rockwell PlantPAx, Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa, Siemens PCS 7).
• Strong working knowledge of chemical unit operations, continuous and batch processing, and process control strategies.
• Demonstrated experience supporting OSHA PSM-covered processes and participating in PHAs.
• Proven ability to lead projects and interface effectively with operations, maintenance, and process engineering teams.
Preferred Qualifications• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
• TÜV Functional Safety Engineer or equivalent certification preferred but not required.
• Experience with advanced process control (APC), batch (ISA-88), and MES integration (ISA-95).
• Familiarity with OT cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443).
Skills & Competencies• Enterprise mindset with the ability to balance standardization and site-specific operational needs.
• Strong influencing skills without direct authority in a matrixed organization.
• Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear business and risk-based recommendations.
• Excellent documentation, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Work Environment & Travel• Corporate office environment with frequent engagement with operating plants.
• Regular travel to domestic and international manufacturing sites to support projects, audits, and troubleshooting.
• Travel typically 30-40%, depending on project portfolio and site support needs.
We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth:
- Career Growth: Training and development programs
- Employee Recognition: Real-time appreciation with personalized rewards
- Time Off: Generous PTO and paid sick leave
- Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision for employees and families
- Security: Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance at no cost to employee
- Retirement: 401(k) participation
