Engineer, Process Controls

NOVONIX•Chattanooga, TN

46d•Onsite

About The Position

This person will report directly to the Process Engineering Manager and the Process Control Engineer (PCE) will be responsible for the controls portion of multiple workstreams at the company, including safety, project management, mentorship, production support, and process improvement. The PCE will work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and outside contracting groups daily to accomplish these work streams. The PCE will become the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the control’s infrastructure of the NOVONIX plants and will become the “go to” associate with regards to controls for all other associates. This position requires a significant amount of previous experience, and a candidate who is well rounded and versed in process control, programming, control systems, communications infrastructure, and process control modification. Below are the expected workstreams, and approximate time/effort for each stream. In the role of PCE, you will be joining a world-class Process Engineering team that delivers innovative solutions to tough problems. This position is fully onsite and working from our Riverside office location. Please note that as our company evolves, working arrangements, locations, and hours may change to meet business needs.

Requirements

Specific project management experience in design/procure/build
Ability to both write new control schemes, as well as modify existing ones
Self-driven, operates with a high degree of autonomy
Sound, engineering driven decision-making skills
Ability to prioritize and balance multiple competing demands
High degree of availability on non-working hours and days as needed
A highly motivated self-starter who takes initiative
Well organized and invested in the details
Able to build positive relationships at all levels of the organization
Resourceful when it comes to solving problems
Intellectually curious
Passionate about creating a great culture
Passionate about continuous improvement
A problem solver
Not satisfied with the status quo
Innovative
Able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously
An effective coach and mentor
Willing to go the extra mile to get the job done and satisfy customers/stakeholders
A bachelor’s degree in one of the following disciplines: EE, ME, IE, MET or EET
Equivalent experience (7+ directly related/relevant) may be acceptable
A bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or Computer Engineering may also be acceptable with 5+ years of relevant past work experience
5+ years in a 24/7manufacturing environment

Nice To Haves

Experience making controls strategy decisions/changes with specific regard to safety impact of those decisions
Experience with multiple different PLC/DCS control platforms, as well as coding languages (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Unitronics PLCs and Associated Equipment.)
Experience with SCADA/Manufacturing Execution Systems (Ignition and or TrakSys)
Experience with Python, C#, MSSQL, Programming and Scripting
Reading, modifying, and creating P&ID diagrams
Experience in milling/bulk processing, and/or thermal treating, furnaces, or kiln process background
Experience migrating across generations of controls systems/manufacturers
Knowledgeable about IT and communications protocols (networking experience with the Perdue Model of OT/IT Separation and Network Setup and Administration
Prior work as satellite support for maintenance and operations departments

Responsibilities

Work with the safety department to provide input to Lockout Tagout policies and procedures to ensure all possible control scenarios and their impact on safety are considered.
Evaluate changes to process control systems from a safety perspective to ensure no unmitigated risk arises from process change/optimization.
Have input and oversight of the troubleshooting, maintenance, and long-term integrity of the control’s infrastructure at NOVONIX.
Recommend quarterly spare parts inventory updates to management.
Manage unplanned controls system repairs to equipment and infrastructure.
Work with the IT department to develop a robust and stable communications and networking interface between the IT network, the production equipment, and the plant facilities infrastructure.
Manage small controls engineering projects directly, working with internal and external resources to complete the work.
Support major project and construction work at the plants by providing engineering input, controls programming and/or programming oversight, as well as system design for controls platforms, program logic, production equipment systems, and facility infrastructure.
Be the primary point of contact for the operations group for control’s issues/emergencies.
Assist with generation, maintenance, and presentation to management a rolling, 5-year controls infrastructure integrity plan, looking ahead at needs for both future growth as well as obsolescence and replacement of existing infrastructure.
Support process improvement efforts by reviewing requested process changes and determining if the equipment and infrastructure can support the requested improvement.
Execute the needed changes directly, through equipment and programming alterations, or will compile, submit, and manage a small project to utilize outside resources (contract programmers, etc.) to execute the change.
Mentor and support summer interns/co-ops, as well as new engineers and other associates outside the department, as needed.
Other duties as assigned.