Advanced Process Control Engineer

About the position

Ascend Performance Materials is a global leader in high-performance chemicals, fibers and plastics, committed to enhancing quality of life through innovation. With fully integrated manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, we develop essential solutions that drive safer vehicles, cleaner energy, advanced medical devices, and durable consumer goods. Guided by a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and customer success, we operate responsibly while delivering value through cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise. Join our team and be part of a collaborative environment where your work drives meaningful global impact. The Advanced Process Control (APC) Engineer will support the Ascend Process Automation group with ongoing efforts to improve manufacturing operations through optimized energy usage, improved yields, and increased capacity through the application of advanced control techniques.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design and deploy APC applications in a wide variety of processes to capture economic benefits.
• Configure interface logic and operator displays in the Distributed Control System (DCS) as part of APC controller deployment.
• Design and work with operations personnel to conduct plant step tests to identify dynamic process models.
• Configure, commission and tune newly deployed controllers.
• Configure and monitor controller Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure controllers are maintained.
• Train others in controller design, functionality, and maintenance.
• Travel to Ascend sites in Houston, TX, Decatur, AL, Pensacola, FL up to 15%.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering preferred.
• 10+ years of related process control engineering experience.
• Experience with deployment of advanced controls (10+ years) in industrial processes, particularly Model Predictive Control (MPC) and inferential sensors.
• Experience with dynamic model identification using techniques such as Finite Impulse Response (FIR), Sub-Space (SS) Identification, and Autoregressive-Exogenous (ARX).

Nice-to-haves

• PE License.
• Participation in relevant industry SME groups and standards committees.
• Experience with DeltaV PredictPro/PredictPlus and MACS APC platforms.
• Experience with AspenTech GDOT.

Benefits

• Access to on-site medical clinics at U.S. facilities.
• Global wellness rewards program.
• Performance Matters, an employee-driven recognition plan.
• Commitment to Zero for personal injuries, process safety incidents, and environmental releases.
• Support from the Ascend Cares Foundation for employees in need.