Automation & Controls Engineer - Seneca

BASF Catalysts•Seneca, SC

33d•$100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

BASF Environmental Catalyst and Metal Solutions (ECMS) serves customers across industries including automotive, aerospace, indoor air quality, semiconductors, and the hydrogen economy. It also provides precious metals trading and recycling services. ECMS operates in 15 countries, with approximately 20 production sites and more than 4,000 employees. The company focuses on circular solutions and sustainability. The Automation & Controls Engineer develops, maintains, and optimizes automation and control applications and supports their lifecycle planning and modernization. The role works with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Projects, and other technical personnel to improve safety, reliability, quality, and productivity; troubleshoot production systems; support capital project commissioning; and provide practical automation solutions for safe, efficient plant operations. The engineer also supports digitalization, continuous improvement, risk assessment, training, documentation, change control, alarm management, and production-system cybersecurity.

Requirements

At least 3 years of automation-related experience.
Strong understanding of process safety concepts.
Ability to engage successfully with personnel across the business.
Expertise in Rockwell software, such as FactoryTalk View Studio, PlantPAx, and RSLogix 5000.
Knowledge of virtual networks and thin client architecture.
Experience with proper installation and maintenance of instrumentation.
Knowledge of electrical infrastructure, including switchgear, MCCs, and motor control.
Experience troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, and industrial communication networks.
Working knowledge of Ethernet/IP, managed switches, and industrial networking concepts.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to diagnose complex control system issues.
Knowledge of process historian systems, data analysis tools, and manufacturing KPI reporting.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferred.
Seven years of automation experience with an Associate Degree will be considered.

Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and optimize PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system applications and contribute to lifecycle planning and modernization initiatives.
Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Projects teams to identify, develop, and implement automation improvements that enhance safety, reliability, quality, and productivity.
Troubleshoot and resolve automation, instrumentation, and control system issues affecting production, quality, or safety.
Partner with Maintenance and Reliability teams to investigate equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
Ensure automation systems and modifications comply with engineering standards, Management of Change requirements, and site operating procedures.
Use plant data historian and MES systems to support digitalization and KPI reporting.
Identify improvement opportunities and support continuous improvement efforts in process and automation.
Provide technical support for risk assessments on Management of Change requests to help ensure plant safety.
Partner with project engineers and other technical personnel to complete commissioning phases of capital projects involving automation.
Provide user-friendly and reliable automation solutions that support safe and efficient plant operations.
Develop and deliver training for operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel on automation systems, troubleshooting practices, and system enhancements.
Create and maintain control narratives, electrical drawings, network diagrams, backup procedures, and programming standards.
Manage control system backups, software revisions, and change control documentation.
Support alarm management, data historian applications, and performance monitoring systems.
Implement and maintain production system cybersecurity measures.