Automation and Controls Engineer [DF]

Thatcher Company LLC; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

401(k)

Medical, dental, vision

Disability insurance

PTO 3+ weeks

Education reimbursement

Job summary

Thatcher Company in Salt Lake City, UT is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to lead automation and process control initiatives within our manufacturing operations. You will manage capital projects, improve system performance, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with engineering, operations, IT, and vendors to successful project execution, and you will guide maintenance teams while documenting systems and supporting audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.) with 5+ years in chemical/manufacturing facilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead control system capital projects from scope to startup.
• Develop project scopes, budgets and schedules for control initiatives.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, IT, vendors and contractors.
• Review designs, programming standards and hardware selections.
• Oversee commissioning, testing, and startup for performance and safety.

Skills

PLC knowledge

Ladder logic

Electrical safety

Maintenance mindset

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

Delta V PLCs

Schneider Modicon

Codesys IEC 61131-3

Beijer X2 HMIs

Job description

Make a meaningful difference: At Thatcher Chemical facilities across the nation, our manufacturing teams create the essential chemistries, processes, and solutions that support clean water, safe environments, reliable infrastructure, and critical industries. From production and quality to logistics and distribution, your precision, dedication, and commitment to continuous improvement help transform raw materials and innovative science into real-world solutions. Your purpose-driven work plays a vital role in protecting public health, supporting communities, and shaping a safer, more sustainable future.

Thatcher Company is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to join our engineering team in Salt Lake City, UT. This role would lead and support automation and process control initiatives within our manufacturing operations. It would also include managing capital projects, improving system performance and reliability, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

What You Will Do

• Lead and manage control system–related capital projects, including new installations, expansions, and major upgrades.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical requirements for control system initiatives.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, IT, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful project execution.
• Review and approve control system designs, programming standards, and hardware selections.
• Oversee commissioning, testing, and startup activities to ensure systems meet performance, safety, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor and improve manufacturing process control and safety system performance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve process monitoring, system efficiency, reliability, and standardization.
• Recommend technological upgrades and automation best practices.
• Diagnose and resolve control system and instrumentation issues to minimize downtime.
• Perform control system modifications, upgrades, and optimizations.
• Support installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of control and instrumentation systems.
• Provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Maintain control system documentation, including drawings, I/O lists, and software backups.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and company safety procedures, including electrical safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO).
• Support audits and regulatory inspections as needed.

Basic Qualifications

Travel =

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (i.e: Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, etc.) with 5+ years of experience in a chemical or manufacturing facility.
• Experience in PLC systems, including understanding PLC ladder logic.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to frequently stand, walk, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, handle, bend, twist, climb and balance.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience in industry control systems.
• Experience creating P&IDs and Electrical Schematics.
• Experience with managing controls projects.
• Familiarity with Delta V, Schneider (Modicon) PLCs, Codesys based IEC 61131-3 PLCs, Automation Direct Productivity PLCs, Beijer X2 HMIs.
• Experience with networking, industrial Ethernet, and basic cybersecurity concepts.
• Experience in the chemical industry with manufacturing processes, or experience in refining and major petrochemical operations.

Why Thatcher is right for you

• 100% company-funded Profit-Sharing Plan (up to 25% of salary annually)
• 401(k) with traditional and Roth contribution options
• Comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, HSA/FSA,
• 3+ weeks of PTO, and paid holidays
• Education reimbursement and ongoing professional development.

The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website. Thatcher is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
It is the policy of this organization to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age 40 and over, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other applicable status protected by state or local law.
As an affirmative action employer under E.O. 11246, we invite all applicants to identify themselves on the following page.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER