Process Control Engineer

INEOS USA LLC; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 104,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, LLC in La Porte, TX, is seeking a Polyethylene Process Control Engineer to support the Battleground Manufacturing Complex. This role focuses on safe, reliable operation of the DCS and process control networks across polyethylene units.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, 3+ years in olefins/polyolefins manufacturing, and hands-on experience with Honeywell DCS and advanced control techniques. On-site work with rigorous safety standards is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required; polymers manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience with Honeywell DCS control technology.
• Experience in polyolefins or petrochemicals manufacturing processes.
• Minimum 3 years of manufacturing experience in olefins/polyolefins.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day process control support for operation unit including DCS and process control network issues.
• Troubleshoot process alarms and control loops; support unit shutdowns, turnarounds and start-ups.
• Lead process control improvement projects and optimization initiatives.
• Support capital projects as the process control representative with I/O assignment and redundancy decisions.

Skills

Process control engineering

DCS knowledge

Analytical thinking

Safety & compliance

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

Honeywell DCS

Advanced process control

Job description

Company: INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA Interested in joining a winning team? A team whose employees are empowered to make a difference? Job title Polyethylene Process Control Engineer Grade 34/35 DOQ- $104,000-$135,000 Location Battleground Manufacturing Complex – La Porte, TX

INEOS is a global chemical company. Our products touch every aspect of modern day life. We comprise 28 businesses with 148 sites in 26 countries throughout the world.

The 300-acre INEOS Battleground Manufacturing Complex (BMC) was originally built in 1956 and is located on the Houston ship channel east of Houston, Texas. The site is comprised of 7 polyethylene lines; 1 polypropylene line; a 20 MW Cogen facility; and a state-of-the-art polyolefin technical centre that supports research and development, technical services and quality assurance.

In 2017, a new world-scale bimodal polyethylene unit was brought online to manufacture high-density polyethylene.

Organizational context and job purpose

Purpose of the job: The Process Control Engineer will provide technical expertise in support of INEOS and site objectives by working to support operations and resource team at the BMC Polyethylene and Utilities areas. This position is responsible for supporting day-to-day operation of the Distributed Control System (DCS) to optimize and enable safe operation of the assets. This position is a member of the BMC Process Control Team.

In this role, the process control engineer will interface with a multidiscipline team in order to support control applications and technologies in the Polyethylene area.

Responsibilities AND Accountabilities

• Demonstrates Safety Leadership through the promotion of the INEOS 20 Safety Principles.
• Provide day-to-day process control support for operation unit which includes:
• Troubleshoot process, process alarm, DCS and process control network issues
• Preparation and support for unit shutdowns, turnarounds, and start‑ups.
• Root Cause Failure Analysis
• Regulatory and advanced control loop tuning
• Control strategy improvement
• Daily process performance monitoring (e.g. quality, environmental, energy, stability, reliability, etc.)
• Daily DCS and process control network performance monitoring (e.g., PCN, OPC, etc.)
• Provide a leadership role in developing and improving process control applications and optimization technology
• Identify and champion ways to create value
• Lead implementation of process control improvement projects
• Provide guidance for prioritization of DCS projects
• Support Capital projects as the process control representative I/O assignment and redundancy Control philosophy development, design, documentation and implementation
• Support the definition, development and configuration of the process control strategy for projects in the assigned PP area
• Ensure acquisition and sharing of process control best practices among operating areas in BMC
• Participate in process control network troubleshooting and design
• Provide process control support for the PSM process
• Participate in HAZOPs and LOPA studies as needed
• Alarm reduction efforts; participate in documentation and rationalization efforts and implement results through the MOC process
• Understand and provide ownership of Alarm management system
• Participate in the MOC process including leading appropriate MOCs
• Participate in pre‑startup safety reviews and lead appropriate PSSRs
• Serve as a resource for Safety Instrumented Systems
• Participate as a team member and lead incident investigations
• Lead process control strategy to maintain the Process Safety, SHE Compliance, Alarm Management, Quality systems, and support of the INEOS 20 Principles for the asset.
• Participate in site‑wide coverage of DCS issues as necessary
• Identify and champion ways to create value.
• Assess emerging technologies of interest, both within and beyond area of specialization
• Provide analysis of industry trends and vendor capabilities
• Assess emerging trends and their potential value to the operation Unit.
• Identify gaps and challenges to achieving reduced operating cost, and overall business optimization

Skills & Knowledge Required

Education/Experience Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering required. Previous experience in polymers manufacturing is preferred. Other relevant experience: experience in the application of Honeywell DCS control technology, experience in polyolefins, petrochemicals manufacturing processes or similar processes, experience with other multivariable control technologies, and advanced process control applications. The ideal candidate will have at least three (3) years of experience in manufacturing of olefins, polyolefins, or similar process industries.

Key Skills / Competencies

• Achievement motivated, striving for a standard of excellence
• Client-service oriented, focusing efforts on discovering and meeting needs of internal clients
• Impact and influence, able to persuade others to a particular course of action
• Teamwork, shares accountability for team results and utilizes interpersonal skills to improve team performance
• Analytical and conceptual thinking, able to understand both the details and the underlying systemic issues in order to plan and implement creative and effective solutions to business challenges
• Innovative and information seeking, monitors internal and industry trends to identify new opportunities
• Listens well
• Organizes work effectively and uses available resources
• Anticipate problems and adjusts accordingly
• Demonstrated ability to manage progress and deliver multiple and competing priorities.

ADA Physical Requirements, Visual Acuity Requirements, and Environmental Conditions

The process control engineer must be able to work in a variety of environments that include both fieldwork and deskwork. Minimum requirements include: Maintaining constant awareness of personal safety and the safety of all other personnel. This includes knowledge of unit operation, procedures, and rules. Being able to work in a safety sensitive environment that includes large rotating equipment and hazardous chemicals. The manufacturing facility is located outside in the Houston ship channel area. As such, the process engineer must be able to withstand both high temperatures and high humidity while wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment. In addition, the engineer must be comfortable working in a loud or dusty environment that could include exposure to fumes / odors or vibration from surrounding equipment. Being able to ascend and descend a barrel ladder with continuous vertical length of up to 35 feet. Being able to climb and descend stairs up to a total structure height of 150 feet. Being physically able to wear and navigate through the unit with a respirator if needed. Being able to pick up a 50 lb. object such as a fire extinguisher. Being able to work at a desk and operate routine items such as a computer and calculator.

Our Culture

Our culture is one of honesty and integrity with an emphasis on safety, health and environmental performance. On our team, people are acknowledged for embracing new practices that help create real value for customers. INEOS is a world class chemical company whose products touch every aspect of modern day life. Our company is comprised of 36 businesses with 194 sites in 29 countries throughout the world. We also have interests in consumer brands and sports on a global level. Safety is our number one core value. We also take pride in our culture of diversity, inclusion, sustainability and giving to the communities in which we live.

To learn more about our company and the story of our heritage, go to www.ineos.com.