Instrumentation Controls Engineer

Tpc Group - Port Neches, TX

Full-time

Port Neches, TX

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

We seek an Automation Engineer with Instrumentation experience to join our team and contribute to the successful execution of TPC Group's strategic growth plan. Based in Port Neches, Texas, the ideal candidate will play a pivotal role in implementing process control strategies, automated programming, and field engineering within the Process Automation Department of the Technology and Engineering Group. Reporting to the Manager of Process Automation, this individual will be responsible for the implementation and maintenance of automation systems, instrumentation, and measurement systems to optimize production processes and ensure operational efficiency. Collaboration with cross-functional teams to identify automation opportunities, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvements in plant operations will be essential. The Automation Engineer will design and implement effective process control strategies, including regulatory control, control sequence, and logic. This role requires close collaboration with Production engineers, Operations, and Maintenance teams to identify automation needs and instrumentation requirements. The engineer will configure and program Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), and other control systems. Troubleshooting, diagnosis, and resolution of automation system issues will be critical to ensure uninterrupted plant operations. Regular reviews and improvements of alarm management systems (alarm rationalization) will also be part of the responsibilities. Additionally, the engineer will actively participate and represent process automation in HAZOP and other safety and reliability processes and studies. They will contribute to PHA's, MOC, PSSR's, incident investigations, and unit troubleshooting. Providing Automation Engineering expertise in the specification, design, development, installation, commissioning, and validation of process control systems for capital projects is essential. Adherence to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards in all automation and instrumentation activities is a must. The engineer will monitor the overall reliability of instrumentation and measurement systems, implementing improvements as needed for continuous performance enhancement. They will also lead and participate in root cause investigations and other failure analyses related to instrumentation and measurement systems, assume responsibility for equipment specifications and scoping for projects installing instrumentation and measurement system equipment, and maintain and update plant equipment files and Process Safety Information (PSI) as required. On-call support to address emergencies and operational issues outside regular working hours will also be part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement effective process control strategies, including regulatory control, control sequence, and logic.
• Collaborate closely with Production engineers, Operations, and Maintenance teams to identify automation needs and instrumentation requirements.
• Configure and program Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI), and other control systems.
• Perform troubleshooting, diagnosis, and resolution of automation system issues to ensure uninterrupted plant operations.
• Conduct regular reviews and improvements of alarm management systems (alarm rationalization).
• Actively participate and represent process automation in HAZOP and other safety and reliability processes and studies.
• Contribute to PHA's, MOC, PSSR's, incident investigations, and unit troubleshooting.
• Provide Automation Engineering expertise in the specification, design, development, installation, commissioning, and validation of process control systems for capital projects.
• Adhere strictly to safety, environmental, and regulatory standards in all automation and instrumentation activities.
• Monitor the overall reliability of instrumentation and measurement systems, implementing improvements as needed for continuous performance enhancement.
• Lead and participate in root cause investigations and other failure analyses related to instrumentation and measurement systems.
• Assume responsibility for equipment specifications and scoping for projects installing instrumentation and measurement system equipment.
• Maintain and update plant equipment files and Process Safety Information (PSI) as required.
• Provide on-call support to address emergencies and operational issues outside regular working hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a refining, petrochemical, or chemical plant operation, preferably in a maintenance, reliability, design, or implementation role.
• Familiarity with Process Safety Management (PSM) principles as applied to instrumentation and measurement systems in a petrochemical facility.
• Knowledge of field instrumentation and its connectivity and interaction with various control systems.
• Grasp of process control systems, instrumentation, and industrial automation technologies.
• Hands-on experience with DCS, PLC, SCADA systems, and other automation software and hardware.
• Familiarity with industry standards and protocols such as OPC, Modbus, Profibus, etc.
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate successfully with diverse stakeholders.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Emerson DeltaV and/or Foxboro DCS is preferred.
• Experience with HAZOP studies, SIL assessments, and process safety management is preferred.
• Strong understanding and application of IEEE, ISA, PIP, NFPA, and API standards.