Lead Automation & Controls Engineer

Berkner Group; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Berkner Group represents a client redefining sustainable manufacturing, delivering traceable, mass-balanced circular solutions for rubber, plastics, and petrochemicals. They transform end-of-life tires into high-value materials used by global brands in 3,000+ applications.

With rapid global growth and a collaborative culture, they seek a Lead Automation & Controls Engineer to join the Indianapolis team. This senior role leads instrumentation and automation across facilities, mentors a Junior

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical/controls/mechanical/chemical engineering.
• 12+ years of instrumentation and controls design in oil & gas, gasification or pyrolysis.
• Proven PLC programming, HMI development, and commissioning experience.
• Strong knowledge of Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP and related protocols.

Responsibilities

• Own instrumentation and automation systems across all facilities.
• Mentor a junior Instrumentation & Controls engineer.
• Define business requirements for automation to meet objectives.
• Track KPIs and report performance of automation systems.
• Prepare KPIs and monitoring mechanisms to evaluate project success.
• Oversee selection and integration of field instrumentation, valves, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA.
• Ensure NEC, ISA, NFPA, IEC compliance and internal specs.
• Develop and maintain control architecture documentation.
• Monitor system performance and troubleshoot controls issues.
• Collaborate with operations to optimize automation strategies.
• Lead I&C design from concept to commissioning/startup.
• Review drawings, PFDs, P&IDs, data sheets, and related deliverables.
• Develop procedures for commissioning and startup.

Skills

Strong communication

Detail oriented

Leadership

Project management

Collaborative work style

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical / Controls / Mechanical / Chemical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Rockwell Automation

HMI development

SCADA systems

Job description

Our client is a company redefining the rules of sustainable manufacturing. They deliver traceable, mass-balanced circular solutions for the rubber, plastics, and petrochemical sectors — transforming end-of-life tires into high-value materials used by global brands across more than 3,000 applications. With proven technology, a strong commercial track record, and rapid global growth, this company leads the industry in circularity at scale. Executives join for the mission and stay for the people. The team has a bold, collaborative culture driven to make a difference.

Position: Lead Automation & Controls Engineer

Location: Indianapolis IN, with up to 25% domestic and international travel

Type: Full-Time

Key Responsibilities

Leadership

• Serve as the primary owner of instrumentation and automation systems across all company facilities
• Supervise and mentor a Junior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer responsible for logic programming and day-to-day technical execution
• Define and document business requirements for automation systems to support operational and financial objectives.
• Tracking and reporting of KPIs associated with performance of the automation systems
• Prepare KPIs to define success of the projects and develop monitoring mechanisms to track those KPIs

System design and operations

• Oversee the selection and integration of field instrumentation, control valves, PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards (e.g., NEC, ISA, NFPA, IEC) and internal specifications.
• Develop and maintain cause-and-effect diagrams, I/O lists, and control architecture documentation.
• Monitor system performance and reliability and troubleshoot controls issues
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams to optimize automation strategies
• Lead the I&C design of new and revamp projects from concept through design completion to commissioning and start up
• Review deliverables such as drawings, PFDs, P&IDs, instrument lists, cause & effects, control philosophy, data sheets, etc.
• Develop detailed work procedures and instructions for commissioning and startup

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical / Controls / Mechanical / Chemical Engineering
• Minimum 12 years’ experience in instrumentation and controls design in the oil & gas, gasification, or pyrolysis industries
• Proven experience with PLC programing, HMI development, and control system commissioning (Allen Bradley / Rockwell experience preferred)
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, etc.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in manufacturing environment preferred
• Experience in process scale up, developing safety systems, lifecycle documentation preferred
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical support during design phase and operations

Desired Soft Skills

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Detail oriented and quality focused
• Leading projects and balance between delegating work tasks and executing work
• Work in collaborative multi-discipline environment