Automation Technician

Braskem; Kenova (WV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Retirement Benefits

Flexible work schedules

Life Insurance

Job summary

A chemical manufacturing company is seeking a self-motivated Process Control Technician for its Neal, WV facility. The role involves troubleshooting automation systems and collaborating with engineering and operations teams. Candidates should possess strong instrumentation skills and at least 5 years of experience in industrial manufacturing. The position offers a full-time opportunity on-site with competitive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial manufacturing.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. permanently.
• Experience with DCS and PLC systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform first-line troubleshooting of automation systems.
• Collaborate with operations to troubleshoot process issues.
• Ensure safety practices are followed with automation equipment.

Skills

Strong self-starter

Good communicator

Strong instrumentation skills

Ability to troubleshoot control loops

Education

High school diploma or associate degree preferred

Tools

Honeywell Experion

Safety Manager

Rockwell PLCs

Job description

With a strategy centered on people and sustainability, Braskem is engaged in contributing to the value chain to strengthen the Circular Economy. Braskem’s 9,000 team members dedicate themselves every day to improving people's lives through sustainable solutions in chemicals and plastics. With its corporate DNA rooted in innovation, Braskem offers a comprehensive portfolio of plastic resins and chemical products for diverse industries, such as food packaging, construction, manufacturing, automotive, agribusiness, health and hygiene, and more. With 40 industrial units in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, and Germany, Braskem exports its products to clients in over 70 countries.

Braskem America is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Braskem S.A. headquartered in Philadelphia. The company is the leading producer of polypropylene in the United States, with six production plants located in Texas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as an Innovation and Technology Center in Pittsburgh and a New Renewable Innovation Center in Lexington, which focuses on leveraging groundbreaking developments in biotechnology and chemical catalysis. For more information, visit www.braskem.com/usa.

Department: NAMEA AutomationLocation: Neal, WVTravel Involved: 0%Job Type: Full Time, On Site

Braskem is looking for a self‑motivated and curious process control technician to help our Neal, WV, facility reach its full potential. A successful candidate will work very closely with our site automation engineer, operations, and instrumentation personnel. At Neal, we will need your help maintaining Honeywell Experion (TPS), Safety Manager, Modicon & Rockwell automation systems. You should not be intimidated by challenges, enjoy complex problem‑solving, and come prepared to contribute.

Responsibilities

• Perform first‑line troubleshooting of the automation systems, including DCS, SIS, PLCs, Data Historian, Advanced Solutions, and DMZ/PCN layer network
• Serve as the primary interface with the I&E technicians, offering occasional support and guidance for capital work
• Collaborate daily with operations personnel to troubleshoot process issues, logic, graphics, and drawings
• Share responsibility with the site automation engineer for overall reliability, including off‑hour support on a rotating basis and during planned and unplanned outages
• Maintain and update process control strategy documents, such as loop diagrams, logic drawings, and cause‑and‑effect matrices
• Monitor performance of PID loops, tune as necessary, diagnose poor performance, and recommend next steps
• Monitor and evaluate the health and performance of automation assets, taking necessary actions
• Participate in MOC and PSSR initiatives, identifying impacts on control systems and helping determine optimal solutions
• Support Alarm Management by generating reports, attending rationalization meetings, and implementing configuration changes
• Perform routine tasks such as backups and preventive maintenance to ensure reliability of automation equipment
• Identify and correct commissioning issues of new control system equipment
• Liaise between electrical and mechanical groups to assess impacts on automation
• Assist the automation engineer in developing alarms/interlock testing procedures and conduct functional testing of alarms/interlocks
• Perform minor maintenance on the site historian (AVEVA PI) and modify tags as needed
• Coordinate with vendor & Industrial Data and Architecture (ID&A) team to keep support software patched and up to date
• Ensure that applicable safety practices are followed and that personnel are informed of hazards when working with automation equipment
• Support site cybersecurity initiatives through the Braskem Cybersecurity Champions program
• Provide technical training to operations on control system functionality and alarm management
• Participate in incident investigations related to automation system issues and represent automation during other investigations

Process Safety Responsibilities

• Participate in PHA studies as needed
• Support root cause analysis investigations for process safety incidents/near misses
• Manage tracking of bypasses on all automation systems and instrumentation to ensure correct process management

Requirements

• High school diploma or associate degree preferred, with 5+ years of experience in industrial manufacturing
• Experience with DCS systems (Honeywell Experion/TPS), safety systems (Safety Manager), and PLCs (Allen Bradley/Rockwell/Modicon)
• Strong self‑starter, good communicator, and solid interpersonal skills
• Ability to get involved and contribute without being instructed
• Strong instrumentation skills
• Ability to visualize, understand, and troubleshoot control loops and associated documentation
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States permanently without visa sponsorship (U.S. citizen or permanent resident)

Preferred Skills, Education, and Experience

• Previous plant experience in chemical manufacturing, preferably with polypropylene technology
• Experience in a PSM regulated facility
• Knowledge of computer hardware and software
• Knowledge of network systems
• Programming ability in any language/system
• Knowledge of virtualization

What we offer

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Retirement Benefits
• Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Life Insurance
• Short‑ and Long‑Term Disability Insurance
• Teladoc
• Pet Insurance, Legal and ID Theft Insurance, and other voluntary benefits
• Flexible work schedules such as 9/80 for eligible team members

Depending on qualifications, the successful candidate may be offered a position at a more appropriate level and/or ladder.

Candidates must be currently eligible to work in the United States without the need for any type of sponsorship now or in the future. Braskem is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified candidates and employees according to applicable law. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you require reasonable accommodation as part of the application process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team.