Controls and Automation Engineer

Synthomer; Chester (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Discretionary bonus

LTIP – senior roles

Learning & development

Flexible working where applicable

Job summary

Synthomer is seeking an experienced Electrical/Control Engineer to support capital projects across manufacturing facilities in the United States. You will develop and implement control system strategies, prepare URS/FDS, and coordinate design work with internal and external teams.

Responsibilities include engineering support for project delivery, risk assessments, and assisting commissioning through handover.

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic / Instrumentation / Control Automation / Chemical Engineering or equivalent, with minimum 5 years’ experience.

Responsibilities

• Prepare URS and FDS for Control systems, with architecture standardisation.
• Design and specify C&A Engineering for new projects with the responsible engineer.
• Check & approve third-party design work to Synthomer standards.
• Support commissioning and start-up activities through to handover to end user.

Skills

Project coordination

Engineering collaboration

Risk assessment

Implementation planning

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

DCS/SIS knowledge

URS/FDS preparation

Job description

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide full support to ensure projects are delivered within time, to budget and to the required quality.
• Develop conceptual designs with respect to key equipment requirements and required technology needs, while working with internal and external specialists.
• Prepare basic and detailed engineering documentation as required to support the execution of projects.
• Design and specify C&A Engineering for new projects with the responsible engineer for the project.
• Responsible for checking & approval of third-party design work & documents to ensure compliance to Synthomer standards.
• Provide C&A Engineering cost estimates to Project Managers. Ensure all related information is suitably documented and updated.
• Organise and participate in risk assessments and safety studies of designs.
• Support construction activities to ensure the project is delivered as per the design.
• Prepare test plans, procedures and functional progress reports to ensure on time delivery of plant mechanical completion.
• Actively supports the commissioning team and start-up activities through to handover to end user.

Maintenance

• Identify and analyze plant engineering problem and recommend cost effective solutions to resolve them.
• Conduct process control optimisation studies and implement the required rectification measures in line with operation needs.
• Identify and improve procedures for control system maintenance for efficiency and increased reliability.

Engineering

• Supports the development and implementation of Engineering Best Practices throughout the region.
• Delivers functional engineering in line with the Global Project Framework.
• Provides engineering support activities for manufacturing facilities.
• Carry out plant capacity and productivity studies as well as execute process improvement activities.
• Ensures all engineering work meets the required company standards and statutory compliance.
• Proposes best available technology that will aid cost reduction, improvement in production quality, reduction of energy and total asset life cycle costs.

Expected Deliverables

• URS and FDS for Control systems, with appropriate architecture and standardisation.
• Selection of suitable hardware and software for DCS and SIS.
• Coding and execution of changes and set up of control logic.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support activities for manufacturing facilities as required.

Education

• Degree in Electrical & Electronic / Instrumentation / Control Automation / Chemical Engineering or equivalent, with minimum 5 years’ experience in related field.

Experience

• Working in execution of capital projects through lifecycle, developing / maintaining best engineering practice, facilitating technology selection, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to select the appropriate execution strategy and develop budgets for C&A elements.

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation
• Discretionary global bonus scheme
• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions
• Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role
• Healthcare – tailored to regional locations
• Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)
• Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs
• Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
• Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
• Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country
• Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive
• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes