Associate Engineer - Process Controls

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Profit sharing

PTO

Job summary

Energy Transfer Partners, L.P. is seeking an Associate Process Controls Engineer to support day-to-day DCS operations at a Natural Gas Liquids processing facility. You will diagnose problems and propose multiple solutions while helping implement control system improvements.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in engineering and familiarity with EtherNet/IP, Modbus, PLCs, HMI graphics, and data historians. Travel to field sites may be required, with weekends and callouts possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field and 0-3 years of relevant experience in process controls.
• Familiarity with control network protocols including EtherNet/IP and Modbus.
• Knowledge of basic and advanced process distributed control systems, HMI graphics and historians.
• Experience with PLC programming and hardware configuration.
• Understanding of local and wide area networking concepts and security basics.
• Awareness of process instrumentation and industry safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance with troubleshooting, optimization, design, configuration, and programming of process control systems essential to terminal and pipeline operations.
• Ensure the integrity of the DCS and monitor programming, software, and hardware performance.
• Collaborate with engineers and project teams to implement revised or new control solutions; create and test logic from specifications.
• Develop and maintain DCS documentation such as narratives, specifications, P&IDs, and drawings.
• Support OT staff to ensure plant network reliability and cybersecurity policy compliance.
• Assist in spare parts definition and lifecycle management of software/firmware; manage training simulators.

Skills

DCS programming

PLC programming

HMI graphics

Data historians

EtherNet/IP

Modbus

SCADA interfaces

Rockwell PlantPAx

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Rockwell PlantPAx

Allen-Bradley PLC

HMI software

SCADA systems

Capstone dataPARC

Job description

We value all of our employees who make our growth and success possible. We are proud to offer industry leading compensation, comprehensive benefits,401(k) match with additional profit sharing,PTO and abundant career opportunities.

Come join our award winning 12,000 strong organization as we fuel the world and each other!

Summary:
This position assists in the maintenance and health of the process control systems at a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) processing & terminalling facility. Good analytical skills are required to diagnose problems, and the candidate must be able to identify multiple alternatives and/or recommendations for a given problem, as well as facilitate the implementation of solutions. The Associate Process Controls Engineer will provide day-to-day support of the site distributed control systems (DCS) and process control networks.

Description:

• Provide technical assistance with troubleshooting, optimization, design, configuration, and programming of process control systems essential to terminal and pipeline operations.
• Ensure the integrity of the DCS. Monitor and troubleshoot the process control system programming, software, and hardware, including performance monitoring. Work with engineering, operations & maintenance daily to ensure operational reliability of the site.
• Work with Process Control Engineers and project management teams to implement revised and/or new basic process control & advanced control solutions. Create logic programming from control narratives/functional specifications. Test programming and equipment in a lab or simulated environment.
• Develop and maintain various DCS-related documentation such as control narratives, functional specifications, cause and effects, procedures, P&IDs, and electrical drawings.
• Keep current on all equipment modifications, software revisions, and future direction of the process control industry. Manage process control system software versioning.
• Work with Operational Technology (OT) staff to ensure reliability of the plant process control network (hardware & software). Ensure that corporate IT and cybersecurity policies and guidelines are followed.
• Assist in the definition of spare parts and preventative maintenance requirements for DCS and related components. Assist in the lifecycle management (patching, revisions) of software and firmware.
• Manage process control training simulators.
• Support control system staging environment and patch validation.
• Work with third-party companies and product representatives as required to assist in design, factory acceptance testing, simulator development, and commissioning & start-up activities.
• Ensure Process Safety and Risk Management objectives are practiced daily through participation in Management of Change, Process Hazards Analysis and pre-planning.

Requirements:

Education and/or Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements for this position are listed below

Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline and 0-3 years of relevant job-related familiarity and/or experience in process controls.

• Awareness, familiarity, and/or knowledge of control network protocols including EtherNet/IP and Modbus.
• Awareness, familiarity, and/or knowledge of basic process & advanced process distributed control systems, HMI graphics and data historians.
• Awareness, familiarity, and/or knowledge and experience with PLC programming and hardware configuration.
• Awareness familiarity and/or knowledge of local and wide area networking concepts including network topologies, switch configuration and network security concepts. Ability to manage software revisions, site licensing, and support agreements.
• Awareness and/or knowledge of process manufacturing field instrumentation & technology.
• Self-motivated individual with a high level of initiative.
• Position requires the ability to balance multiple projects/tasks simultaneously, the ability to prioritize tasks, and the ability to shift established priorities in response to changing business needs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, sound organizational skills.
• Proactively initiates, develops, and maintains effective working relationships. Ability to function effectively in a team environment.
• Competent with personal computer applications (Microsoft Office, etc.).
• Knowledge of industry safety practices.
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and respond to callouts on a non-routine basis.
• Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 lbs, climb ladders and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment including the use of a respirator. Must be able to respond to visual and audible.
• Willingness to travel to facility locations in southern New Jersey and Texas.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in refinery, manufacturing and/or pipeline environment.

Experience with Rockwell PlantPAx, Allen-Bradley PLC, HMI interface software & hardware, SCADA interface, Capstone dataPARC, Toptech terminaling applications.

Knowledge or awareness of relevant industry best practices, codes, and regulations (ex. API, DOT, ISA, PHMSA, PSM, NFPA, NEC).

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Normal office working conditions and field work
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time due to prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Visits to industrial/manufacturing settings, which may include exposure to various materials and chemicals, as well as extreme temperature conditions and loud machinery, and require appropriate personal protective equipment will occur.

An equal opportunity employer/disability/vet

Energy Transfer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The nature and frequency of the above working conditions and requirements may vary depending on individual operational circumstances. Where feasible, the Partnership will make reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job.

DISCLAIMER: The statements listed in this job posting, which are subject to change, are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.