Senior Process Control Engineer

Smurfit Westrock•Stevenson, AL

About The Position

The Senior Process Control Engineer reports to the Process Controls Manager and maintains control system infrastructure, designs or assists with process control logic, and may coordinate system implementation. The role analyzes hardware and software used in production and provides design, implementation, and support for existing and new process control systems, including DCS, PLCs, and custom control applications that support manufacturing needs and production goals. The engineer supports system backups, network troubleshooting, and computer hardware maintenance; develops migration plans for legacy controls platforms; evaluates processes and equipment operation; and plans and manages process improvement projects. The role works with operations teams to troubleshoot systems and processes down to the field-device level, monitor control-loop performance, tune and automate control systems, and optimize processes. It also requires project scoping, communication across operational, environmental, maintenance, and engineering teams, and rotating on-call support, including availability to travel to the mill to address control-system, process, or field-device problems.

Requirements

At least two years of industrial experience with a degree, or more than 10 years of industrial experience in PLC and HMI applications if non-degreed.
Knowledge of motor controls, field instrumentation, and control devices.
Capability using computers running the Windows operating system.
Initiative and excellent work ethic.
Well-developed written communication skills.
Excellent planning, organizational, time-management, and prioritization skills.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
Ability to read and understand P&IDs, loop sheets, and electrical drawings.
Willingness to participate in on-call support for production needs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering or Electrical Engineering; another engineering or computer science degree may be acceptable with adequate DCS/PLC and HMI application experience.
Other technical degrees and/or certificates may be acceptable depending on skills, knowledge, and experience.
Experience with Bailey DCS.
Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, MicroLogix, or PLC5.

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and support existing and new process control systems, including DCS, PLCs, and custom control applications.
Maintain control system infrastructure and analyze production hardware and software.
Perform system backups, network troubleshooting, and computer hardware maintenance.
Develop and execute migration plans for legacy controls platforms.
Evaluate processes and equipment operation and plan and manage process improvement projects.
Read and understand P&IDs, loop sheets, and electrical drawings.
Work with operations departments to troubleshoot systems and processes down to the field-device level.
Monitor control-loop performance, tune and automate control systems, and work with operators and managers to optimize processes.
Define project scope and manage a wide variety of technical projects.
Communicate and work with operational, environmental, maintenance, and engineering teams, while also accomplishing individual goals.
Provide rotating on-call support and be available to come to the mill to troubleshoot, repair, and assist with control-system, process, and field-device problems.