Process Control & Automation Specialist (Entry Level)

SABIC; Illinois; On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Diverse and inclusive workplace

Job summary

A leading materials manufacturing company in the United States is seeking an Entry-Level Process Control and Automation Specialist. The role involves supporting industrial control systems, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with engineering teams. Candidates should have a high school diploma and basic electrical knowledge, with opportunities for further training. A commitment to safety and effective communication skills is essential. This position does not offer visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to safety and environmental practices.
• 3+ years of instrument experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read electrical and schematic wiring diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Work with Operations and Maintenance to identify operational issues.
• Execute process control Work Orders.
• Perform system backups and spare parts management.

Skills

Basic electrical knowledge

Effective verbal and written communication

Troubleshooting instrumentation and electrical issues

Ability to work in a team

Interest in industrial control systems

Education

High school diploma or GED equivalent

Tools

DCS

PLCs

HMIs

Microsoft Office

Job description

Process Control & Automation Specialist (Entry Level)

Position: Process Control and Automation Specialist - Entry Level

Job Summary

The Process Control and Automation Specialist works alongside other Process Control team members to provide boots on ground and first-line support for Selkirk industrial control systems. This includes field hardware, control software, and applications. Daily activities may involve troubleshooting hardware, control logic and applications for various manufacturers such as Valmet/NovaTech D3 DCS, Emerson DeltaV DCS, GE PLCs, Emerson PLCs, SoftPLC, AspenTech IP21, and PlantTriage software. The role also supports scope development meetings with unit engineers, optimizes plant running conditions, investigates/improves control logic, participates in HAZOP reviews, and assists in alarm management.

Basic electrical knowledge is required; some offsite training may be needed to obtain safety awareness and skills for safe job performance. The successful candidate will complete further educational training (as required), on-the-job training, and vendor training programs to learn the systems used on this manufacturing site. They must demonstrate self-initiative in acquiring skills—seeking guidance from team members, working with other site teams, contacting vendors, reading literature, self-learning, etc.

Initial months will involve higher computer interaction as the candidate learns the applications and software. Over time, daily tasks typically shift toward a 50/50 computer/field work environment, though this may vary by task and business needs.

How You Can Be the Impact

• Work with Operations and Maintenance to identify and remediate operational issues, including reading/interpreting application code to pinpoint problems.
• Execute process control Work Orders: add/delete/modify control tags, console configurations, determine IO availability, IO checkout, PMs, code interpretation, graphics changes, etc.
• Execute assigned Engineering Service Requests (ESRs) ranging from small to large projects, including adding new points, creating control narratives, identifying interlocks, designing and coding logic into a DCS and/or PLCs.
• Perform value-added activities such as system backups/restores, spare parts management, asset management, root cause correction, system health monitoring, hardware diagnostics/replacement.
• Support site process control system infrastructure, including patching and upgrades.
• Support assignments to update or create procedures, standards, and preventative maintenance steps.
• Support execution of the Tech Refresh (obsolescence hardware replacement).

What Matters to SABIC

• Demonstrated personal commitment to safety, environmental, health, and security practices.
• High school diploma or GED equivalent
• 3+ years of instrument experience in a manufacturing environment
• Familiarity with industrial control equipment such as DCS, PLCs, and HMIs
• Basic electrical knowledge
• Basic to intermediate Microsoft Windows computer skills and Microsoft Office
• Direct experience or familiarity with computer programs / code / scripting
• Interest in learning about industrial control systems, hardware, configuration, applications, operator interfaces, and protocols
• Ability to read electrical and schematic wiring diagrams and P&ID's
• Ability to troubleshoot instrumentation and electrical issues
• Ability to work with others outside your area of expertise to troubleshoot problems
• Ability to identify value-added tasks and work independently
• Ability to work in a team, resolve technical issues, and share knowledge
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Commitment to timely completion of a training program (vendor training, online training, college courses, on-the-job training); tuition reimbursement is available
• Ability to work overtime as required, including occasional call-ins and weekends

Desired Skills

• Direct experience with industrial control equipment (DCS, PLC, HMIs)
• ISA CCST certifications
• Post-secondary training in electrical, instrumentation, or industrial control
• Post-secondary training in computer science, networking, or programming; Microsoft or Cisco certifications
• Experience writing deployable code in a plant or business environment

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 pounds

Eligibility Requirements

• You must submit your application for employment online to be considered. Please submit your resume using the “Apply Now/Apply” option on this page.
• You must be 18 years or older
• This position does not offer sponsorship for work visas or authorization. Applicants must have the right to work in the United States without sponsorship, now and in the future, to be considered for this role.

Work Availability

Regular, predictable attendance is essential. Applicants must be regularly available and willing to work Monday – Friday during assigned hours and as needed to meet business needs.

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