Staff Engineer, Process Controls

Sila•Alameda, CA

About The Position

Sila is a next-generation battery materials company working to advance clean energy through battery materials designed to increase energy density while reducing battery size and weight. The Staff Engineer, Process Controls develops complex materials-processing equipment and executes industrial process controls and instrumentation designs for production-scale synthesis equipment. The role works across teams and with vendors to deliver safe, reliable, modular, and well-documented control systems, supports bringing hardware and code online, and incorporates feedback from system end-users.

Requirements

At least 5 years of industry experience.
Proficiency in control system design principles, including PID control, cascade control, and advanced control techniques.
Strong knowledge of instrumentation principles and devices, such as flow meters, level transmitters, and temperature sensors.
Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, such as Profinet and Modbus.
Experience with the full design lifecycle of process control systems, including creating Cause & Effect diagrams, Safety Requirements Specifications (SRS), and Alarm Rationalization.
Hands-on experience with PLCs and writing Structured Text; familiarity with other IEC 61131-3 languages.
Experience designing and programming intuitive, user-friendly HMIs for real-time monitoring and control.
Experience ensuring regulatory compliance with process controls standards such as NFPA, UL508A, and IEC 61151.
Ability to work independently within established guidelines and collaborate and communicate effectively across teams.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering.

Responsibilities

Execute process controls and instrumentation designs for production-scale synthesis equipment in collaboration with other teams.
Design robust, modular, and well-documented controls and implement process control strategies in accordance with established standards, including incorporation into Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
Create and maintain design documentation, including instrument indexes, I/O lists, alarm lists, cause and effect matrices, and SIL/IPL verification forms.
Participate in HAZOP reviews and contribute to project templates.
Source and select instrumentation.
Work with external vendors on process controls designs and electrical and instrumentation subsystems.
Participate in safety reviews and own the closure of controls recommendations.
Assist in bringing hardware and code online.
Gather end-user feedback, collaborate on actionable modifications, and share best practices with the team.