Process Controls Engineer II

Salas O Brien - Cincinnati, OH

Full-time - Mid Level

Cincinnati, OH

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

At Zepnick, Inc, A Salas O'Brien Company, we are dedicated to making a significant impact through our engineering solutions. As a Process Controls Engineer II, you will play a crucial role in collaborating with clients, vendors, and internal teams to identify and implement effective process control solutions. This position emphasizes a people-first approach to problem-solving, ensuring that our team members can thrive in their careers while contributing to sustainable practices. Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned firm that specializes in engineering and professional services across various industries, including data centers, healthcare, clean energy, and more. In this role, you will support Project Managers and Process Engineers in estimating controls hardware and engineering efforts, lead Electrical Designers in specifying controls hardware components, and ensure the technical accuracy of electrical installation documents. You will also be responsible for writing Functional Descriptions, developing and testing PLC programs, and leading onsite commissioning efforts. Your expertise in Allen-Bradley PLC Programming Software, process instrumentation, and control loop concepts will be essential in this role. You will work closely with multi-trade vendors and contractors, leveraging your experience in plant operations and industrial environments to ensure that control systems meet maintenance and operational needs. This position offers the opportunity to work on impactful projects while fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with clients, vendors, and cross-functional internal teams to determine Process Control needs and solutions.
• Support Project Managers and Process Engineers in developing estimates for controls hardware and engineering effort.
• Lead Electrical Designers in specifying controls hardware components and developing electrical wiring diagrams.
• Lead the review of electrical installation documents for technical accuracy and ensure the design meets the controls requirements.
• Write Functional Descriptions that describe how control systems will operate.
• Develop and test PLC programs based on Functional Descriptions.
• During commissioning, lead Electrical Designers in performing onsite IO checks.
• During commissioning, support PLC program onsite until the system is in full production, performing maintenance and operator training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
• 8 years Process Controls experience in the Pulp and Paper or Food and Beverage Industries
• Proficiency in Allen-Bradley PLC Programming Software (RS Logix, Studio 5000)
• Ability to develop a PLC program from scratch or customize a program based on customer specific templates.
• Detailed understanding of process instrumentation (flow, mass flow, temperature, pressure) and control loop concepts
• Proficient in batch controls, recipe management, and CIP circuits
• Proficient at designing, programming, and configuring Variable Frequency Drive systems, specifically Rockwell hardware.
• Proficiency in interpreting P&ID drawings
• Experience with liquid processing including pumps, blending, filtration, heat transfer, etc.
• Experience with utility (steam, water, air, NH3, etc.) design and impacts on process design.
• Ability to perform in a design team environment.
• Experience working with multi trade-based vendors/contractors.
• Experience in plant operations and industrial environments understanding control system impacts to maintenance and other work processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Project, etc.)
• Technical Writing expertise
• Leadership skills. Good verbal and written communication skills
• Attentiveness to detail, follow-up procedures, and documentation of action
• Proficient in time management and personal organization.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Archestra, and FactoryTalk HMI development
• Experience with Honeywell Experion DCS Systems
• Experience designing controls system networks using Ethernet
• Experience in Food & Beverage Manufacturing
• Experience in 'Green Field' food plant construction projects
• Knowledge of Safety Control Systems
• Experience as a control engineering lead for large capital projects.