Process Control Automation Specialist

Omya•Sylacauga, AL

2d•$90,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Process Control Automation Specialist maintains and improves process-control systems to support safe, economical production of quality products. The role works with engineering and production staff to refine process design and control systems, promotes appropriate use of electrical, instrumentation, and process-control elements, and ensures that quality-control and production-reporting data is collected in useful formats. The position maintains reliable PLC, SCADA, communications, backup, software, and related hardware systems; schedules automation-system maintenance; checks spare-parts availability; and provides troubleshooting support to production and maintenance. It also manages the Process Change Request system, maintains system and drawing documentation, and provides coverage for PLC, SCADA, computer, and networking hardware malfunctions, including 24-hour-a-day coverage. The specialist supports capital projects from initiation and estimating through approval, design, engineering direction, construction supervision, cost management, commissioning, checkout, and startup. The role collaborates with plant personnel, contractors, and staff across sites and departments, and works with hub Automation to maintain company standards. It is responsible for safe work practices and compliance with QSHE system procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or computer science, with at least two years of experience in automation programming, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Familiarity with PLC programming, SCADA programming, databases, Visual Basic, networking, servers, MS Office, plant electrical systems, and instrumentation.
Thorough understanding of plant electrical and electronic equipment, including motor drives and instrumentation, and troubleshooting ability, or the ability to learn quickly.
Ability to work independently and accept responsibility for sophisticated and expensive equipment.
Ability to work responsibly with potentially hazardous processes and systems.

Nice To Haves

Prior use of a CAD system.
Knowledge of electrical testing meters and methods.

Responsibilities

Maintain safe working conditions and practices to achieve a zero lost-time injury record within the area of responsibility, and perform duties in accordance with QSHE system procedures.
Work with engineering and production staff to refine process design, control systems, and projects.
Lead the use of appropriate electrical, instrumentation, and process-control elements to produce quality products with minimal manual control and maintenance.
Design systems to collect quality-control information and production-reporting data in useful formats.
Manage the Process Change Request system and maintain the electronic system for initiating, approving, and implementing process change requests.
Maintain reliable PLC, SCADA, related hardware, communications, backups, and software.
Schedule automation-system maintenance and verify spare-parts availability in inventory.
Provide troubleshooting assistance to production and maintenance.
Work with hub Automation to maintain Omya standards.
Assist plant personnel when systems malfunction or products are out of specification, including 24-hour-a-day coverage for PLC, SCADA, computer, and networking hardware.
Assist RAM Engineering with capital projects, including initiation, estimating, financial approval, design, specification, engineering direction, construction supervision, cost management, commissioning, checkout, and startup.
Maintain PLC, SCADA, and network documentation and mark up electrical and process drawings (“red lining”).
Interface with staff and contractors from various sites and departments to help ensure quality products are produced economically and safely.
Perform other duties as directed by the supervisor.