KC Plant-ICA Lead Technician – Manufacturing Process Automation & Controls
About The Position
The Intelligent Control & Automation (ICA) Lead Technician is responsible for the design, maintenance, troubleshooting, optimization, and implementation of manufacturing automation systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This role provides technical leadership for process control systems, safety systems, instrumentation, and automation technologies supporting chemical manufacturing processes. The ICA Lead Technician partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Process Engineering, and the ICA Leader to improve system performance, execute automation projects, and deliver continuous improvements in safety, quality, reliability, and productivity. The role serves as a key technical resource for the plant’s manufacturing automation infrastructure and develops deep expertise in control systems, instrumentation, process control, and plant automation technologies. This position provides system ownership, technical leadership, project support, automation expertise, control system lifecycle planning, and partnership with site Digital resources to deliver practical digital improvements for assigned manufacturing systems.
Requirements
- Technical degree, trade school, military technical training, or equivalent experience in automation, instrumentation, electrical, electronics, or related disciplines.
- 5+ years of industrial automation, process control, instrumentation, or manufacturing controls experience.
- Experience troubleshooting PLC-based systems and industrial instrumentation.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and safety leadership skills.
Nice To Haves
- 8+ years of industrial automation or process control experience.
- Experience with Rockwell ControlLogix, Studio 5000, HMI systems, and process instrumentation.
- Experience in continuous manufacturing environments.
- Experience leading automation projects, capital improvements, or system modernization efforts.
- Experience serving as a technical lead, system owner, or subject matter expert.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical ownership and support for manufacturing automation systems, including PLCs, safety systems, instrumentation, HMI platforms, industrial networks, and manufacturing data systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation, controls, and instrumentation issues to improve plant safety, reliability, quality, and productivity.
- Develop and optimize control strategies, sequencing, interlocks, alarms, and process control solutions to improve manufacturing performance.
- Lead automation activities for capital projects, including scope development, system design, programming, testing, startup, and commissioning.
- Support lifecycle management of automation and safety systems, including modernization, obsolescence planning, and compliance activities.
- Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Digital teams to implement reliability, productivity, and digital improvement initiatives.
- Maintain technical documentation and ensure work is executed in accordance with site standards, engineering practices, and change management requirements.
- Serve as a technical leader by providing mentorship, troubleshooting expertise, and guidance to plant teams and project resources.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
