Functional Lead Engineer

Valmet; Chennai District; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Valmet Technologies Private Limited in Chennai seeks a Functional Lead Engineer – EI&C to lead the functional design and engineering of Electrical, Instrumentation and Control systems for heavy process industries.

You will guide design documents, specify control systems, ensure IEC/ISA/NFPA compliance, collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, and support FAT/SAT, commissioning, and handover. Willingness to travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive EI&C engineering experience with leadership roles in heavy process industries.
• Proven expertise in designing/implementing distributed control systems (DCS) such as Valmet DNA, ABB, Siemens, Emerson, Honeywell, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of field instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, and electrical systems.
• Proficient in FDS, control narratives, P&IDs, wiring/loop diagrams; familiar with IEC, ISA, ATEX, SIL.
• Travel domestically and internationally as project needs require.

Responsibilities

• Lead functional design, specification, and engineering of EI&C systems for industrial projects.
• Develop and review EI&C architecture, control philosophies, FDS, and other design documents.
• Oversee selection and specification of control system hardware/software (DCS, PLC, SCADA).
• Collaborate with process/ mechanical engineers to integrate EI&C into plant designs.
• Ensure compliance with IEC, ISA, NFPA, and company guidelines.
• Conduct risk assessments and resolve EI&C challenges; support supplier evaluations.
• Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, and startup activities; ensure on-time delivery within budget.
• Maintain project documentation and smooth handover to operations.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Team coordination

English fluency

Travel readiness

Controls expertise

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Valmet DNA

DCS

PLC

SCADA

COMOS

Job description

Functional Lead Engineer –EI&C will be responsible for leading the functional design and engineering activities related to Electrical, Instrumentation, and Control systems within Valmet Technologies Private Limited projects, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to relevant standards.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead the functional design, specification, and engineering of Electrical, Instrumentation, and Control (EI&C) systems for industrial projects, primarily within the pulp and paper, energy, or similar heavy process industries.

• Develop and review EI&C architecture, control philosophies, functional design specifications (FDS), and other design documents.

• Oversee the selection and specification of control system hardware/software (DCS, PLC, SCADA).

• Collaborate with process engineers, mechanical engineers, and other project stakeholders to integrate EI&C systems seamlessly into overall plant designs.

• Ensure compliance with international standards (e.g., IEC, ISA, NFPA) and company-specific engineering guidelines.

• Conduct technical reviews, risk assessments, and provide solutions for complex EI&C challenges.

• Participate in supplier evaluations, technical bid analysis, and provide recommendations for procurement of control system.

• Support factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), commissioning, and startup activities.

• Manage and track engineering progress, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure proper handover to operations and maintenance teams.

• Strong controls background required.

• Knowledge of:

• Preferable experience with functional engineering in COMOS tool

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

• Minimum of 8-12 years of progressive experience in EI&C engineering, with a significant portion in functional design and lead roles within heavy process industries (e.g., pulp & paper, power generation, oil & gas, chemicals).

• Proven expertise in designing and implementing distributed control systems (DCS) such as Valmet DNA, ABB, Siemens, Emerson, Honeywell, or similar.

• Strong knowledge of field instrumentation, control valves, motor control centers (MCC), variable frequency drives (VFDs), and low/medium voltage electrical systems.

• Proficient in developing functional design specifications (FDS), control narratives, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and loop diagrams.

• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations (e.g., IEC, ISA, ATEX, SIL).

• Experience with project lifecycle from conceptual design through commissioning and startup.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage technical teams and interact effectively with clients and vendors.

• Problem-solving attitude and ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required by project needs.

We offer:

We offer you a rewarding position in a global industry leader in pulp and energy industries with the possibilities to grow professionally.

_ When everything works together _
Valmet is where the best talent from a wide variety of backgrounds comes together. With 19,000 professionals around the world, we are the leading global developer and supplier of technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and serve an even wider base of process industries with our automation systems and flow control solutions. Our commitment to moving our customers’ performance forward requires creativity, technological innovations, service know-how – and above all, teamwork.