Process Controls Engineer

Air Products•St. Louis, MO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

At Air Products, our purpose is to bring people together to reimagine what’s possible, collaborate and innovate solutions to the world’s most significant energy and environmental sustainability challenges. Grow with us as we embark on building tomorrow together by being the safest, most diverse and most profitable industrial gas company in the world. Reimagine What’s Possible We are seeking a Process Controls Engineer in our St Louis, MO Office. The Process Controls Engineer will be responsible for designing, engineering, and developing control systems for the membrane production process. The Engineer will create and manage documentation related to control system I/O, point-to-point and field specifications, electrical panel schematics, BOMs, and sensor connection information. They will work with a cross-functional team and take the lead in areas like control system design, control panel engineering, PLC, HMI, and robot programming to ensure that the control system meets functional and standards requirements. This position will involve engaging with external partners to speed up the adoption and deployment of new technologies, as well as providing specific recommendations for solutions aimed at enhancing safety, quality, cost reduction, capacity, and capability improvements to be included in the strategic and annual plans of the business unit. Required Skills / Abilities: Deliver comprehensive life cycle assistance for control systems within our manufacturing sector, encompassing operational needs, programming aid, commissioning, and continuous hardware and software upkeep. This entails the design, programming, in-house startup, commissioning, documentation, testing, version control and validation of control systems in accordance with our change management procedures. Take an active role in leading various aspects of projects related to Control Systems. Create and implement innovative process control solutions to address ongoing issues. Engage actively in the planning, identification, and development of long-term capital programs, particularly focusing on control system upgrades and capital forecasting. Serve as a primary leader in process sustainability by collaborating with Operations and other support teams to minimize scrap and waste, identify inefficiencies for improvement, and enhance production efforts through enhanced process monitoring, data collection and automation. Offer support for all integration equipment and services, while also aiding in the development of new technologies or advancements in existing equipment. Act as a key contributor on projects, serving as a technical lead and providing necessary technical guidance to others. Exhibit a high degree of technical self-sufficiency, outstanding project management abilities, and leadership in the creation of control systems applications and safety protocols. Operate autonomously and make informed decisions with minimal guidance, considering feasibility, expenses, and additional advantages. Oversee and carry out engineering projects of moderate complexity with little oversight. Required Skills / Abilities: Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, controls systems, or automation, with at least 7-10+ years of experience working in manufacturing facilities. PLC programming in Ladder (LD), Functional Block (FBD) & Structured Text (ST); creating from scratch such as Emerson PACSystems PLC family most helpful. Other brands (Legacy GE/Emerson, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, etc.) helpful. Safety programming in the PLC is a plus. HMI/OIT programming such as Aveva (Wonderware) System Platform and InTouch, other Object-Oriented Packages a plus. Device Communication software\protocols such as Kepware, Modbus, ProfiNet, etc. Strong understanding of Cyber Security best practices. Knowledge of Control Circuit Theory and Design as well as Instrumentation Signals Used in Controls Applications. Knowledge of 480V building power distribution systems and circuit sizing would be a plus. Knowledge of medium voltage systems would be a plus. Heavy motion controls and Servo Controls experience – Yaskawa Servos with Motionworks programming software would be a plus. Knowledge of SQL database integration with HMI’s would be a plus. Basic knowledge of device networks, Layer 2 switches, TCP/IP, Subnetting, and VLAN technology. Certification/Knowledge: Process Improvement, Manufacturing, Quality, NEC, Auditing all a plus Conducting in-house IO and panel testing, setup, troubleshooting, and creating drawings. This encompasses IO check-out and testing motor direction (including reversal). Setting up VFDs and managing communications (Yaskawa, ABB, Mitsubishi, etc.), with a focus on ABB. Proficient in reading and marking up electrical panel and network drawings, as well as updating or creating electrical schematics. This includes PLC-PLC, PLC-IO, PLC-VFD, and other communication protocols. CAD experience in Draftsight or equivalent would be a plus. Skills in panel and wiring troubleshooting are advantageous. Demonstrated experience in supporting Manufacturing Facilities on a daily basis. This role involves collaborating across departments and effectively communicating outcomes to leadership and management. Candidates should have proven troubleshooting abilities, a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Exceptional project management skills, managing project timelines, working closely with machine builders and contractors, and integrating chemical equipment into the facility. Proficient in designing and implementing a variety of customized high-speed automated systems, especially in manufacturing and assembly sectors. Excellent communication and organizational abilities, with a keen attention to detail, a proactive attitude, and the capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment. This individual must be adept at collaborating within a team setting with shared responsibilities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent experience in Electrical Engineering, controls systems, or automation, with at least 7-10+ years of experience working in manufacturing facilities.
PLC programming in Ladder (LD), Functional Block (FBD) & Structured Text (ST); creating from scratch such as Emerson PACSystems PLC family most helpful. Other brands (Legacy GE/Emerson, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, etc.) helpful.
HMI/OIT programming such as Aveva (Wonderware) System Platform and InTouch, other Object-Oriented Packages a plus.
Device Communication software\protocols such as Kepware, Modbus, ProfiNet, etc.
Strong understanding of Cyber Security best practices.
Knowledge of Control Circuit Theory and Design as well as Instrumentation Signals Used in Controls Applications.
Proficient in reading and marking up electrical panel and network drawings, as well as updating or creating electrical schematics.
This role involves collaborating across departments and effectively communicating outcomes to leadership and management.
Candidates should have proven troubleshooting abilities, a logical and systematic approach to problem-solving, along with strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent communication and organizational abilities, with a keen attention to detail, a proactive attitude, and the capacity to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Safety programming in the PLC is a plus.
Knowledge of 480V building power distribution systems and circuit sizing would be a plus.
Knowledge of medium voltage systems would be a plus.
Heavy motion controls and Servo Controls experience – Yaskawa Servos with Motionworks programming software would be a plus.
Knowledge of SQL database integration with HMI’s would be a plus.
Basic knowledge of device networks, Layer 2 switches, TCP/IP, Subnetting, and VLAN technology.
Certification/Knowledge: Process Improvement, Manufacturing, Quality, NEC, Auditing all a plus
CAD experience in Draftsight or equivalent would be a plus.
Skills in panel and wiring troubleshooting are advantageous.

Responsibilities

Deliver comprehensive life cycle assistance for control systems within our manufacturing sector, encompassing operational needs, programming aid, commissioning, and continuous hardware and software upkeep.
This entails the design, programming, in-house startup, commissioning, documentation, testing, version control and validation of control systems in accordance with our change management procedures.
Take an active role in leading various aspects of projects related to Control Systems.
Create and implement innovative process control solutions to address ongoing issues.
Engage actively in the planning, identification, and development of long-term capital programs, particularly focusing on control system upgrades and capital forecasting.
Serve as a primary leader in process sustainability by collaborating with Operations and other support teams to minimize scrap and waste, identify inefficiencies for improvement, and enhance production efforts through enhanced process monitoring, data collection and automation.
Offer support for all integration equipment and services, while also aiding in the development of new technologies or advancements in existing equipment.
Act as a key contributor on projects, serving as a technical lead and providing necessary technical guidance to others.
Exhibit a high degree of technical self-sufficiency, outstanding project management abilities, and leadership in the creation of control systems applications and safety protocols.
Operate autonomously and make informed decisions with minimal guidance, considering feasibility, expenses, and additional advantages.
Oversee and carry out engineering projects of moderate complexity with little oversight.
Conducting in-house IO and panel testing, setup, troubleshooting, and creating drawings.
Setting up VFDs and managing communications (Yaskawa, ABB, Mitsubishi, etc.), with a focus on ABB.
Proficient in reading and marking up electrical panel and network drawings, as well as updating or creating electrical schematics.
Demonstrated experience in supporting Manufacturing Facilities on a daily basis.
Exceptional project management skills, managing project timelines, working closely with machine builders and contractors, and integrating chemical equipment into the facility.
Proficient in designing and implementing a variety of customized high-speed automated systems, especially in manufacturing and assembly sectors.
This individual must be adept at collaborating within a team setting with shared responsibilities.