Process Control Engineer

Kinross Gold Corporation; Nevada; Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement savings plan

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading mining company is seeking a Process Control Engineer to optimize control systems for safe and efficient mineral processing operations. The role involves collaboration with operations teams to enhance plant stability and throughput. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering, 5-8 years of experience in process control, and proficiency with DCS/PLC systems. The work environment emphasizes safety and continuous improvement in the mining industry.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in process control within mining or heavy industries.
• Hands-on experience with DCS/PLC systems.
• Strong understanding of mineral processing operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize control strategies for mining operations.
• Provide technical support for control system issues.
• Analyze process data to identify improvement opportunities.

Skills

Process data analysis

Control loop tuning

Strong problem-solving skills

Clear communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Tools

DCS platforms

PLC platforms

Job description

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Round Mountain is an open-pit mine located in Nevada, one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. The mine uses conventional open-pit mining methods and processes ore by mill and heap leach. Kinross began operating the mine in 2003, and it has since become a continuous improvement leader in the Company’s portfolio. Round Mountain poured its 15 millionth ounce in 2018. Round Mountain and the nearby Bald Mountain mine make up Kinross’ Nevada operations.

The Round Mountain mine is an important contributor to the Nye County economy and, working with local stakeholders, has helped achieve significant improvements in healthcare and education in the area.

Job Summary

The Process Control Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and optimizing process control systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient mineral processing operations at the Round Mountain Gold Mine. This role focuses on improving plant stability, throughput, recovery, and equipment performance through effective control strategies, automation enhancements, and close collaboration with operations, metallurgy, and maintenance teams.

Essential Functions

Process Control & Automation

• Design, implement, maintain, and optimize control strategies for crushing, grinding, classification, leaching, adsorption, detoxification, and ancillary systems as applicable.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support plant control systems (e.g., DCS, PLCs, HMI/SCADA) to ensure high system availability and reliability.
• Develop and tune regulatory, advanced, and model-based control loops to improve process stability and metallurgical performance.
• Lead and support control system upgrades, logic changes, alarm management, and interface improvements in accordance with site change management procedures.

Operational Support

• Partner with Operations and Metallurgy to identify process constraints and variability, and implement control solutions that improve throughput, recovery, and reagent efficiency.
• Provide on-shift and off-shift technical support for control system issues impacting production or safety.
• Analyze process data and trends to proactively identify opportunities for improvement and risk mitigation.

Maintenance & Reliability Interface

• Work closely with the Process Maintenance Superintendent and maintenance teams to support instrumentation, control hardware, and network reliability.
• Support preventative maintenance strategies, control system documentation, and lifecycle management of automation assets.
• Assist with root cause analysis for process upsets and equipment or control-related failures.

Safety, Compliance & Standards

• Promote a strong safety culture by ensuring control systems support safe operating limits and critical safeguards.
• Participate in hazard analyses, management of change (MOC), and operational readiness reviews.
• Implement strategies to comply with safety and regulatory requirements related to control system operations.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, reliability, and operational excellence.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Provide process control expertise for capital projects, plant modifications, and technology trials.
• Develop functional specifications, FAT/SAT documentation, and commissioning plans for automation-related projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, energy efficiency, and operational excellence.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Automation, or a related discipline.
• 5–8 years of experience in process control or automation within mineral processing, mining, or heavy industrial environments.
• Familiarity with CMMS
• Hands-on experience with DCS and/or PLC platforms commonly used in mining operations (e.g., Honeywell, ABB, Emerson, Rockwell).
• Strong understanding of mineral processing unit operations and their control requirements.
• Control loop tuning, alarm management, and control system troubleshooting.
• Process data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Wonderware, PI System or equivalent historians).
• Instrumentation fundamentals, including flow, level, pressure, density, and analytical measurements.
• Familiarity with advanced process control (APC) concepts is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively across operations, maintenance, and technical disciplines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts into operational guidance.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Requirements

• Has a strong commitment to Environmental, health and safety.
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment.
• Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions and behaviors.
• Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements.

Values and Behaviors

• Strategic Effectiveness
  Develops and communicates creative business strategies that drive sustainable value.
• External Engagement
  Understands and builds relationships with external parties that strengthen and sustain competitive advantage.
• Business Focus
  Applies commercial rigor and discipline to all business decisions and relationships.
• Living the Kinross Values
  Aligns behavior, decisions, and actions with Kinross values and principles.

Legislative Requirements

US work permit required

Language Requirements

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).