Staff Process Controls Engineer

Job Summary:  

Designs, configures, and deploys new APC/RTO applications to improve unit stability, throughput, and economic performance.  Supports, maintains, and optimizes in-service APC and control systems applications to ensure stable, safe, and reliable Operations.  Evaluates controller performance and process behavior under normal and transient conditions.  Identifies and implements technically and economically viable sustainment solutions, including control strategy enhancements, model updates, and specification changes to improve reliability, performance, and long-term operability.  

Partners closely with Operations, Process Engineering, IT/OT, and vendors to lead APC/RTO design, testing, and implementation activities, ensuring solutions are operationally robust, maintainable, and deliver sustained economic benefit and unit uptime. 

Job Responsibilities:  

• Lead, develop, and support inferential controls, data analysis, model development, controller tuning, commissioning and long-term support for APC and/or Real-Time Optimizer.   

• Ensures adherence to corporate standards, guidelines, and performance metrics to define, implement and promote optimal utilization and benefits of process control engineering solutions.  

• Continuous monitoring on the status of APC/RTO applications and development of KPIs to evaluate the performance of the applications. 

• Monitors performance and recommends modifications to improve reliability of models. 

• Development, design, and commissioning of MPC (Model Predictive Control) applications and provide support for existing APC and/or Real-Time Optimizer applications 

• Act as technical lead for all unit testing during FEED, detailed engineering, FAT, SAT and implementation.  

• Provide advanced process control documentation and training to operations and technical staff.  

• Support site process controls teams on APC systems, models, limits, and variables as needed. 

• Leads crossfunctional teams comprising Operations, Process Engineering, IT/OT, and vendors through APC/RTO design, testing, implementation, and sustainment to maximize economic benefit, operational reliability, and unit uptime. 

Required Qualifications –

•  At least 8 years of experience in process controls and automation in refining industry. Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Electrical Engineering. 

Preferred Qualifications – 

• 7-10 years engineering experience in refining and/or petrochemical industry with experience in APC and/or RTO applications. 

• Demonstrated ability to collaboratively work with plant operators and applying current process control theory including multivariable model-based predictive control and inferential technologies to refining process units.  

• Yokogawa Centum VP 

• Honeywell Experion 

• Imubit AI Optimizer 

• Knowledge of Modbus and other field device communication protocols. 

• Ability to read and understand P&IDs, loop drawings, spec sheets, and other industry-related technical documents.  

• OT networking theory (IP addressing, Masking, etc.) 

• Cause and Effects documentation, control narratives, risk analysis, and other controls-related documentation.