Process Control Engineer

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

The Process Control Engineer is responsible for maintaining improving and optimizing process control strategies to support safe reliable and efficient operation of chemical manufacturing units. This position serves as the primary technical resource for regulatory control systems DCS configuration control loop performance alarm management process optimization and process safety controls.

The role focuses on improving unit performance through effective process control applications troubleshooting process-related issues supporting capital and maintenance projects and collaborating with Operations Process Engineering Production and Instrumentation teams. While familiarity with PLC-based systems is required the primary emphasis is on chemical process control DCS systems and process optimization rather than automation programming.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May include but are not limited to the following:

• Develop implement monitor and improve process control strategies to enhance production safety quality and profitability.
• Analyze process performance and identify opportunities to improve unit stability throughput energy efficiency and product quality.
• Monitor and maintain regulatory control loops including PID tuning and performance assessment.
• Support process engineers and operations personnel in resolving process-related operating issues.
• Utilize process data and historian systems to identify trends diagnose problems and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and participate in process optimization efforts during normal operation unit startups shutdowns and process transitions.

• Serve as the site technical expert for DCS applications and process control configuration.
• Implement and maintain DCS control strategies graphics alarms calculations and operator interfaces.
• Support system upgrades migrations testing commissioning and lifecycle management.
• Monitor DCS network health system performance backups and disaster recovery systems.
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors on DCS-related projects and support activities.
• Maintain system documentation control narratives and configuration management practices.

• Support Management of Change (MOC) activities involving process control systems.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) and safety reviews.
• Ensure process control systems align with plant safety environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Support maintenance and verification of critical alarms interlocks and safety-related control functions.
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of alarm management programs.

• Provide process control design support for capital and expense projects.
• Review P&IDs control narratives cause-and-effect diagrams and instrumentation specifications.
• Work with Operations Maintenance and Instrumentation personnel to troubleshoot process and control issues.
• Develop and execute control system testing plans for plant modifications and new installations.
• Support commissioning and startup of new equipment and process improvements.

• Provide technical support for process instrumentation including flow pressure temperature level and analytical measurements.
• Assist in troubleshooting instrumentation issues that impact process performance.
• Support calibration maintenance planning and reliability initiatives for critical control loops.
• Provide limited support for PLC and HMI systems where they interface with process operations and DCS systems.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering Electrical Engineering Control Systems Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) if applicable.
• Strong understanding of chemical process operations and process control fundamentals.
• Experience with DCS systems in a chemical petrochemical refining specialty chemical or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with control loop tuning process troubleshooting and process optimization.
• Knowledge of process instrumentation and measurement systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop kneel or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision color vision peripheral vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses hearing protection etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel including air travel or auto travel may occasionally be required.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.

If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates) please do not apply will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.