Process Controls Engineer

Company

INEOS Phenol.

We are seeking a Process Control & Automation Engineer to ensure the integrity and reliability of our DCS/PLC control systems, Emergency Shutdown system, Data Historian, and Alarm Management system.

• Design, simulate, implement, test, maintain, and document a reliable control network and associated software systems.
• Conduct routine control optimization and provide support to other departments or working groups.
• Provide guidance to operations personnel on process control and optimization and to maintenance personnel on troubleshooting.
• Direct contractors and consultants when required to support large projects and Technical Assistance Requests (TARs).
• Schedule and oversee preventive maintenance required for system hardware and testing required for safety interlocks, supporting operations and maintenance departments.
• Evaluate data and document findings; track items requiring further attention to completion.
• Maintain high‑level detail records for tracking long‑term integrity of system hardware & instrumented safety systems and support audits (INEOS, insurance, OSHA, etc.).
• Continuously communicate with operations, maintenance, and engineering departments to develop process control improvements, troubleshoot issues, and train on control systems and philosophies.
• Coordinate interlock testing and preventive maintenance on automation hardware systems with maintenance and operations departments.
• Make decisions on system optimization and changes to control and safety philosophies, including controller tuning, data collection, report characteristics, interlock set‑points, and process sequence configuration.
• Develop and implement a long‑term preventive maintenance and testing plan to ensure ongoing reliability of system hardware and safety interlocks.
• Work independently and within teams to develop sequences and control strategies that reduce operator actions, lower consumption of raw materials and utilities, and minimize costs.
• Support the PHA, PSSR, and SIL processes and PSPM initiatives as needed.
• Compile, review, and produce reports required to track ongoing performance of plant automations, including alarms, operator actions, controller mode, system health, and utilization.
• Design and execute projects for automation hardware or software systems and improve instrumented process systems and automated functionality.
• Provide technical support for special interfaces to the DCS such as Loading operations (Z‑load), SAP, Profibus, Modbus, and SQL applications.
• Support and participate in audits and reviews to meet internal and external requirements, including INEOS 20 Principles, insurance, OSHA, ISO, etc.

The position involves a combination of field and office work. Field activities include installation, upgrade, maintenance, inspection, testing, troubleshooting, and may be scheduled in advance or performed after hours. Office tasks involve simulation, optimization, change implementation, data analysis, scheduling, project scoping, and supporting management of change and incident investigations.

Stay informed of changes to regulations that could impact process control and safety instrumented systems (OSHA, EPA, ADEM, Coast Guard, Homeland Security, etc.) and make necessary changes to remain compliant.

Remain current with changes to industry standards that affect control and safety systems (ISA, IEC, NFPA, AIChE, API, ASME, ISO, etc.) and adjust systems accordingly.

Monitor and adopt new technologies in process control systems, instrumented safety systems, data analysis, simulation, network/infrastructure, smart instrumentation, and related fields to achieve continuous improvement.

Maintain relationships with external companies, coordinate support for normal and emergency situations, and stay informed on their capabilities and availability.

• Promote sustained safety and operational integrity at all levels.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance and inspection plans for DCS/PLC, ESD, Data Historian, and Alarm Management systems.
• Measure, track,…