Automation Control Engineer

USPRO; Louisiana (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

USPRO is seeking an experienced DeltaV Automation / Controls Engineer to own a mature automation environment supporting complex manufacturing operations. The role blends control system administration, troubleshooting, lifecycle management, and field collaboration with E&I technicians and contractors.

You will split time between workstation engineering and field-based troubleshooting, aiming to improve reliability, security, and maintainability across plant automation systems.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting industrial automation or process control systems.
• Hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV is required.
• Experience supporting DCS and/or PLC-based automation.
• Experience in industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, refining, mining, or other continuous process environments.
• Familiarity with DeltaV or Rockwell Automation ControlLogix platforms.
• Experience supporting HMI systems.
• Knowledge of SIS, ISA-84, and IEC 61511 standards.
• Experience with SQL Server, Microsoft Access, or industrial data management systems.
• Understanding of industrial networking principles.
• Excellent communication skills with cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize DeltaV DCS for safe, reliable plant operation.
• Perform DeltaV firmware updates, lifecycle mgmt, and system administration.
• Support migration from DeltaV 14.3.1 to 16; test, implement, validate.
• Install OS patches, service packs, security updates, antivirus, fixes.
• Maintain security, user access, libraries, backups, and standards.
• Configure alarms, event logging, and data collection.
• Develop control loop specs, strategies, diagrams, and docs.
• Analyze control loop performance with Emerson Insight and tools.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance with E&I technicians.
• Use ValveLink and diagnostics to improve reliability during outages.
• Troubleshoot live production issues; minimize downtime.
• Coordinate work with E&I techs and contractors.
• Drive continuous improvement in automation performance and maintainability.

Skills

DeltaV expertise

DCS experience

HMI knowledge

Industrial networking

Education

Associate's degree in Engineering

Tools

SQL Server

ControlLogix

ValveLink

Job description

USPRO is seeking an experienced DeltaV Automation / Controls Engineer to join a global leader in industrial manufacturing and commercial explosives technology. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands‑on controls professional looking to take ownership of a mature, mission‑critical automation environment supporting complex manufacturing operations.

Unlike a traditional controls design role, this position combines control system administration, troubleshooting, optimization, lifecycle management, and field collaboration. You'll work closely with Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians, engineers, and contractors to ensure the reliability, security, and continuous improvement of critical plant automation systems.

The role offers an ideal balance between technical engineering work and plant‑floor support, with approximately 60% workstation‑based engineering and 40% field‑based troubleshooting and collaboration.

Military experience equivalency may substitute for some requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor, maintain, and optimize DeltaV Distributed Control Systems (DCS) to ensure safe and reliable plant operation.
• Perform DeltaV firmware updates, lifecycle management, and system administration activities.
• Support the planned migration from DeltaV Version 14.3.1 to DeltaV Version 16, including testing, implementation, and validation.
• Install operating system patches, service packs, security updates, antivirus protection, and software fixes.
• Maintain system security, user access management, configuration libraries, backups, and control system standards.
• Configure and support alarm management systems, alarm attributes, event logging, and historical data collection.
• Develop and maintain: Control loop functional specifications, Control strategies, Logic block diagrams, SAMA diagrams, and Engineering documentation
• Analyze and improve control loop performance utilizing Emerson Insight and other diagnostic tools.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance initiatives by partnering with Electrical & Instrumentation technicians.
• Utilize ValveLink and related diagnostic tools to improve equipment reliability and support planned outages.
• Troubleshoot control system issues affecting live production while minimizing downtime.
• Coordinate and oversee work performed by internal E&I technicians and third‑party contractors.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation performance, reliability, and long‑term maintainability.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree in Engineering, Electrical Technology, Automation Technology, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience supporting industrial automation or process control systems.
• Hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV is required.
• Experience supporting Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and/or PLC‑based automation.
• Experience working within industrial manufacturing, chemical processing, refining, mining, or other continuous process environments.
• Familiarity with DeltaV or Rockwell Automation ControlLogix platforms.
• Experience supporting Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems.
• Working knowledge of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), ISA-84, and IEC 61511 standards.
• Experience with SQL Server, Microsoft Access, or industrial data management systems.
• Understanding of industrial networking principles.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across operations, maintenance, engineering, and contractor teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading or supporting DeltaV version upgrades.
• Control loop tuning and process optimization experience.
• Alarm rationalization and alarm management expertise.
• Preventive and predictive maintenance program support.
• Chemical manufacturing, refinery, or process plant experience.
• Experience coordinating work performed by Electrical & Instrumentation technicians and outside contractors.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability and/or other protected categories. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodation(s) to qualified individuals with disabilities or needs, as required by law.