Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Syensqo • Anaheim, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Syensqo is seeking an experienced Global Automation Lead - Controls to lead our global controls engineering capability within Composite Materials. This is a hands-on leadership role, combining people management and technical leadership with direct ownership and delivery of strategic automation and controls projects. The successful candidate will lead and develop a team of Controls Engineers, establish the global controls and automation strategy, and drive the standardisation and modernisation of control systems across our manufacturing sites. Alongside setting direction for the team, the Global Automation Lead - Controls will remain actively involved in project delivery, personally leading key automation initiatives including PLC upgrades, controls modernisation, instrumentation, MES integration, and wider digital manufacturing projects. The role will work closely with site engineering and operations teams, IT, senior stakeholders, and other global functions to develop and execute a controls roadmap that improves reliability, standardisation, manufacturing performance, and long-term sustainability of our automation systems.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Significant experience in industrial controls, automation engineering, PLC programming, system upgrades, and controls integration within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading, managing, or developing engineers and technical teams.
• Strong technical knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, instrumentation, and automation architectures.
• Experience developing automation strategies, standards, technical roadmaps, or multi-site controls programmes.
• Strong understanding of MES and the integration of manufacturing control systems with higher-level digital and IT systems.
• Proven project leadership experience, including managing complex automation projects from concept through implementation and commissioning.
• Experience developing and managing capital projects and budgets.
• Ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on project execution and technical problem-solving.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with technical teams, site leadership, and senior business stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple sites, functions, cultures, and geographical regions.
• Willingness to travel internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading controls or automation engineering teams within a multi-site or global manufacturing organisation.
• Advanced knowledge of major industrial automation platforms, particularly Allen-Bradley/Rockwell and/or Siemens.
• Certifications or advanced training in PLC programming, industrial automation, project management, or related disciplines.
• Experience with MES, SCADA, historian, industrial data, and manufacturing digitalisation platforms.
• Knowledge of Operational Technology (OT) cybersecurity principles and industrial network architecture.
• Experience developing global engineering standards and driving their adoption across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Experience managing system integrators, OEMs, and automation technology partners.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices relating to controls, automation, functional safety, and manufacturing systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a global team of Controls Engineers, providing technical direction, coaching, prioritisation, and support.
• Define and own the global controls and automation strategy and roadmap, aligned with manufacturing and business priorities.
• Establish and drive global standards, specifications, and best practices for PLCs, control systems, instrumentation, networks, and automation architecture.
• Identify opportunities to modernise legacy control systems and develop structured plans for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and controls infrastructure upgrades.
• Personally lead and deliver strategic automation and controls projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Provide technical leadership and governance for projects delivered by Controls Engineers, sites, system integrators, and external partners.
• Collaborate closely with IT and digital teams to ensure secure, reliable, and scalable integration between Operational Technology (OT) and IT systems.
• Lead and support the integration of PLC and control systems with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and other manufacturing digital platforms.
• Drive improvements in instrumentation and data collection to enable better process visibility, manufacturing analytics, and operational decision-making.
• Develop multi-year controls and automation investment plans, identifying priorities based on business value, operational risk, obsolescence, and reliability.
• Develop, manage, and optimise capital budgets for automation and controls projects, ensuring effective allocation of resources and delivery of expected business benefits.
• Work closely with senior stakeholders, site leadership, engineering, operations, and other functions to align automation priorities and influence investment decisions.
• Build capability across the organisation by developing engineering standards, sharing best practices, and improving controls engineering knowledge across sites.
• Support the selection and management of automation vendors, system integrators, and technology partners.
• Ensure automation solutions comply with applicable safety, cybersecurity, engineering, and industry standards.
• Maintain awareness of emerging automation and manufacturing technologies and assess opportunities for their application across Syensqo Composite Materials.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• 16, or more weeks, of maternity/paternity and co-parenting leave, according to local regulations
• Training platform for all employees
• Free well-being sessions (physical and psychological)
• Relocation assistance available for the right candidate

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior