Process Control Project Engineer

Air Liquide USA LLC; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Liquide USA LLC is seeking an experienced Process Control Project Engineer in Houston, TX. This role involves designing and specifying control system architectures, leading testing and commissioning, and collaborating with teams to enhance existing processes for safety and efficiency.

Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Chemical Engineering and 5+ years of relevant experience. The position requires 50+% travel and a commitment to workplace safety.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience in process control and automation engineering.
• Strong understanding of field instrumentation, motor controls, and industrial communication protocols.
• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Design control system architectures and select field instrumentation.
• Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing.
• Direct on-site installation, commissioning, and startup activities.

Skills

Programming PLCs/DCS/SCADA

Field instrumentation expertise

Project management

Automation engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Emerson DeltaV

Honeywell

Job description

R10094423 Process Control Project Engineer (Open)

Location

Houston, TX (HO) – Support functions – Industrial Direction

Air Liquide Large Industries provides our customers with industrial gas and energy solutions that are vital to their own industrial production. We operate over 2,000 miles of industrial gas pipelines in the U.S., supplying oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and syngas to major customers in the chemicals, petrochemicals, refining and steel industries. Our operations control group monitors over 89,000 data points 24/7 from our Houston control center, optimizing our supply network for high reliability and energy efficiency.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Engineering & Design

• System Design: Design and specify control system architectures, including PLCs, DCS, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Virtualization: Specify virtualization environment needs for virtual machines and relocation of existing VMs.
• Instrumentation: Select and specify field instrumentation (sensors, transmitters, control valves, DVCs, etc.) based on process requirements.
  • Field walkthroughs with vendors to specify mounting specifications to avoid re‑tubing equipment.
  • Field walkthroughs with engineering partners for design of cabinets/panels and construction engineering packages.
• Documentation: Develop and maintain technical project documentation, including P&IDs, loop sheets, functional design specifications, and electrical schematics. Ensure all documentation is updated in Meridian.
• Programming: Oversee control system programming, configuration, and tuning.

Commissioning & Support

• Testing: Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) of hardware/cabinets/panels and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new control systems and equipment.
• Construction:
  • Walk construction packages with awarded construction bidder.
  • Receive transmitters and DVCs at site.
  • Ensure everyone is working safely; attend and lead morning safety meetings.
  • Oversee, direct, and supervise all construction activities.
  • Provide technical guidance to construction crews per issued construction drawings.
  • Work with construction crews to redline drawings as appropriate and communicate to PM.
  • Update redlines to as‑built drawings and leave a hard copy of updated drawings at site.
  • Obtain technical answers to construction crews when questions arise.
  • Sign daily timesheets.
  • Attend daily meetings with PM to update schedule, provide highlights and next‑day plans.
  • Provide overall E&I technical expertise including startup support.
• Startup: Direct on‑site installation, commissioning, loop checking, and startup activities.
• Training & Handoff: In cooperation with the project manager, handover the system and provide technical support to maintenance and operations staff post‑installation.
• Continuous Improvement: Analyze existing process control systems to identify bottlenecks and implement upgrades for improved safety, reliability, and efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or a related technical field required.
• Employment Authorization: Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non‑immigrant sponsorship.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands‑on experience in process control, automation engineering, and project management within an industrial environment.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in programming and configuring PLCs/DCS/SCADA (e.g., Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell). Strong understanding of field instrumentation, motor controls, and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, etc.). Ability to read and interpret P&IDs and electrical drawings.
• Project Skills: Proven track record of successfully managing contractors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience with process safety management, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and relevant standards (e.g., ISA‑88, ISA‑95, IEC 61511).
• Experience integrating OT (Operational Technology) with IT networks.
• Understanding of the Center for Technical Expertise (CTE) role in Large Industries in North America.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Must be able to work in both an office environment and at production facilities.
• Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in industrial areas.
• 50+% travel required to vendor sites or other company facilities.

EEO Statement

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their background. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively, and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success, and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

Recruiter: Brittany Johnson, [e-mail]