Senior Process Control Engineer

Clearwater Paper and Manchester Industries•Lewiston, ID

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Process Control Engineer is responsible for process improvement/optimization, product development, quality, and process support. This role involves maintaining the integrity and performance of systems, process controls, plant historian, and networks. The engineer will provide direct, hands-on, on-call support on a rotating 24x7 basis, responding to and repairing malfunctions in control system hardware (processors, I/O subsystems, HMIs) and software (loop configuration, graphics, timing). They will also address issues with field instruments, valves, motors, and process network infrastructure. Responsibilities include adding and modifying data history collection parameters, planning and implementing timely upgrades and maintenance, and managing equipment and vendors. This includes supporting other engineers, contractors, and personnel, purchasing equipment, assisting in implementation plans, monitoring vendor work, and supervising testing. The role also involves designing, implementing, and programming DCS/PLC and other control systems, developing new additions or enhancements, adding loops in DeltaV, modifying PLC ladder logic for Allen Bradley systems, configuring OPC servers, and designing security systems. Soliciting proposals for upgrades, creating and implementing advanced process control systems (APC), configuring historical collection systems, adding advanced control to existing loops, and creating simulation systems for testing are also key duties. The engineer will perform system administrator functions on process networks, including security procedures, software and data backups, and database backups/restores. They will also configure firewalls and DMZs, install operating systems (Windows and VMS), and update software versions for Rockwell and DeltaV systems. Developing standards and procedures for various functions, verifying compliance, and training others are crucial aspects of this position. The Senior Process Control Engineer must determine and attend relevant training to advance their knowledge and identify training needs for employees, including hourly staff on software usage and troubleshooting, and instrument mechanics on AMS. Key competencies include effective delegation, identifying and addressing customer service barriers, creating relevant options for problem-solving, and systematically evaluating business opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, EET or a related engineering field required
5+ years of relevant process control systems experience required
5+ years of operational experience preferred
5+ years drive configuration experience required
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Demonstrated ability to effectively work with vendors, managers, and production employees to achieve goals
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Capable of managing Process Safety Management programs
Must be capable of understanding and troubleshooting complex industrial systems and equipment
High speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high frequency noises, multiple hours standing, walking on concrete surfaces
Personal Protective Equipment required in mill environment
Dirt, noise, odor, and temperature extremes
Climbing stairs, ladders, and scaffolding
Exposure to hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing process
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Paper's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Paper Machine Coordinated drives experience preferred
SEL 12kv system configuration preferred
AutoCAD experience preferred
Understanding of LEAN manufacturing and Continuous Improvement (CI) concepts preferred

Responsibilities

Maintain integrity and performance of systems, process controls, plant historian and networks
Provide direct hands-on on-call support on rotating 24x7 basis
Respond to calls for control system hardware malfunctions and repair those malfunctions, including control system processors, control system i/o sub systems and Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems
Respond to calls for control system software problems and repair those problems including loop configuration, graphics configuration, and timing issues
Respond to calls for problems calibrating or setting up field instruments, valves and motors
Respond to calls for process network infrastructure problems and repair those problems, including problems with switches, fiber optic converters, cabling and power distribution
Add and modify data history collection parameters to optimize information available vs space requirements
Plan and implement timely upgrades and maintenance
Test bandwidth and network loading
Support the efforts of other engineers, sub-contractors, bargaining unit personnel and temporary workers to accomplish the necessary control systems work
Purchase required equipment
Assist in development of implementation plans for installation of equipment
Monitor vendor and employee implementation
Supervise testing of installed equipment to guarantee adequate performance
Evaluate vendor implementation plans for installation of equipment
Evaluate vendor proposals
Obtain price quotes for equipment
Generate JD Edwards purchase orders
Design, implement, and/or program DCS/PLC and other control systems
Develop and implement new additions or enhancements to process control systems within systems standards
Add new loops in DeltaV
Add and modify PLC ladder logic for Allen Bradley systems
Configure OPC servers for cross system communication
Design and implement security systems
Solicit proposals for upgrades or migrations from out of date or poorly functioning systems
Create and implement advanced process control systems (APC)
Evaluate advanced process control proposals
Configure historical collection systems
Add advanced control to existing loops
Create simulation system for testing control systems
Test implementations to guarantee adequate performance
Build custom serial cables for custom interface requirements
Design and implement interfaces between various systems
Assure proper functioning of version control software
Perform system administrator functions on the process networks providing security protection procedures updates and backup of software and data as required
Backup DCS database and verify restore
Design and implement backup servers for mission critical roles
Configure firewalls and DMZ to protect control networks
Install Windows and VMS operating systems
Update software versions for Rockwell and DeltaV systems, including updating servers, workstations, and operator stations
Install patches on Windows servers
Develops standards and procedures to perform various functions on systems and review work of engineers, vendors and contractors for compliance with and adherence to standards
Develop interlock standards
Verify compliance with interlock standards
Develop tag naming and wire labelling standards
Verify compliance with tag naming and wire labelling standards
Develop graphics and module creation standards
Verify compliance with Graphics standards
Verify compliance with module creation standards
Train others in proper, effective use, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems and networks
Determine and attend relevant training to advance personal knowledge in subject areas to benefit process control and optimization
Determine training needs and schedule training classes for employees
Train hourly employees in the use of Allen Bradley, DeltaV configuration and diagnostic software if applicable
Train hourly employees to find root cause of control system problems
Train instrument mechanics on use of AMS
Train hourly employees in the use of maintenance tracking software