Controls Engineer - Ethanol Plant

Valero; Fort Dodge (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Annual bonus

401(k) match

Healthcare and wellness

Job summary

Valero in Fort Dodge, IA is seeking a Controls Engineer to provide process control support for ethanol plant operations and capital projects.

You will develop control system specifications, P&IDs, alarm documentation, and cyber security controls, while collaborating with Plant Engineers, IS staff and contractors to maintain the VRF process control network.

Relocation assistance is available; this salaried exempt role requires on-site work and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• Minimum of two years engineering experience.
• Able and willing to work on-site and in-person, required.

Responsibilities

• Provide process control support for ethanol plant operations and capital projects.
• Develop control system specifications, P&IDs, alarm documentation, and control narratives.
• Act as liaison between Valero Renewables, IS, suppliers, and contractors; troubleshoot control systems.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

On-site work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Honeywell Experion DCS

Rockwell PlantPAx DCS

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Job description

Description:

Valero is the best-in-class producer of essential fuels and products that are foundational to modern life. We invite you to join our ~10,000 employees to drive exceptional results for our company, the energy industry and our community.

As a Controls Engineer you will provide process control support for ethanol plant operations and capital projects; assist in developing the technical deliverables required for all Valero Renewables process control systems; assist in developing control system specifications, P&IDs, Cause & Effect Diagrams, control narratives, alarm documentation/ rationalization, cyber security controls, and instrument specifications and work in a team environment towards development, monitoring, and reporting on the management and maintenance of the VRF process control network.

At Valero, we are committed to advancing the future of energy through innovation, ingenuity and unmatched execution. You can help achieve this goal if you can:

• Support Honeywell Experion DCS, Rockwell PlantPAx DCS, and Allen-Bradley PLC’s.
• Monitor and maintain compliance with standards and practices.
• Develop project plans and work collaboratively with Plant and Process Engineers, IS and other staff members to achieve project and business unit goals.
• Act as a liaison between Valero Renewables and Valero I/S, suppliers, and contractors.
• Work with site Engineers to maintain and modify existing control systems during normal operations and during scheduled plant outages.
• Provide process control troubleshooting expertise to the daily operations of the ethanol plants.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA), HAZOP, and Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) activities at the corporate and plant level.
• Develop, monitor, and report on the management and maintenance of plant instrumentation driving compliance with PSM and best practices.
• Support the implementation and utilization of an enterprise wide process data acquisition and analysis tool (OSIsoft PI).

This position is salaried exempt status, which means you are not eligible for overtime pay.

Relocation assistance is available.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher level degree) in Engineering required.
• Minimum of two years engineering experience required.
• Able and willing to work on-site and in-person, required.

Preferred Requirements:

• Minimum of two years Honeywell Experion DCS experience preferred.
• Experience in ethanol production, chemical processing, or oil refining preferred.
• Experience with successfully managing technical projects through the entire project cycle including initiating, planning, executing, monitoring, commissioning, and closing phases preferred.

Need more reasons to work for a company that is both professionally challenging and culturally rewarding? Take a look at some of our best-in-class benefits:

• Competitive Pay and Annual Bonus Program
• 100% match on 401(K) up to 7%, plus additional discretionary 3% annual company contribution
• Comprehensive Healthcare and Wellness Programs

Benefits described above are highlights only, subject to an employee’s eligibility and work location.

*Position may be available at one of the following locations: *

Discover more aboutAlbert Cityand how we're making a difference there.

Discover more aboutAlbionand how we're making a difference there.

Discover more aboutCharles Cityand how we're making a difference there.

Discover more aboutFort Dodgeand how we're making a difference there.

Valero's pre-employment process includes successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Valero's employees and team-focused culture drive our success. We're invested in our dedicated workforce through a comprehensive, customizable benefits package, while supporting a caring culture that delivers a rewarding work environment built on teamwork, excellence and career growth. To explore the ways we build a stronger team, visitValero.com/Careers.

Valero is an EEO Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected status, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Please be advised, if you are viewing this position on a website that lists an estimated salary rate/range, it was not provided by Valero. Valero’s market specific salary rate/range will be provided during the recruiting process and tends to be higher than what is estimated by such websites.

*LI-LP1

Job: Engineering
Primary Location: US-IA-Fort Dodge
Job Posting: Aug 21, 2026, 1:13:04 PM
Unposting Date: Ongoing
Req ID: 26001C1