Process Control Specialist

Alcoa of Australia Ltd; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock-based compensation awards

HSA contributions

401(k) with employer match

12 paid holidays

15 days paid vacation

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Alcoa seeks a Process Control Specialist to join ITAS Smelting Operations, supporting automation and control systems across potrooms, casthouses, and utilities. You will apply engineering and process control principles to enable safe, reliable operations while driving performance improvements.

The role involves collaboration with global teams, developing technical plans, deploying standard practices, and managing projects from concept to deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering is required.
• 5–10 years designing, developing, commissioning, and supporting automation and process control systems.
• Experience managing projects: scope, estimating, scheduling, execution.
• Hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting; Rockwell Automation preferred.
• Proficiency in C++ programming and application development.
• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, instrumentation, and integrated systems.
• Experience with system integration, architecture design, and technical leadership.
• Willingness to travel globally and collaborate across locations.

Responsibilities

• Support plant problem solving activities and information requirements.
• Develop strategic technical plans for automation and process control.
• Create tools to boost team productivity and service delivery.
• Lead or collaborate with remote, global teams to meet CoE commitments.
• Apply engineering and process control principles to ensure safe, reliable operations.
• Coordinate deployment of standard practices and technologies with CoE and ITAS.
• Oversee third-party work and ensure common solutions across regions.
• Develop funding requests for automation deployments, and manage projects end-to-end.

Skills

PLC programming

C++ programming

Process control

Troubleshooting

Project collaboration

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation hardware/software

HMI/SCADA interfaces

Process computers

Job description

Shape Your World At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper. We are seeking a Process Control Specialist to join our Information Technology & Automation Solutions (ITAS) Smelting Operations Portfolio team, supporting the manufacturing and process control systems.

In this role, you will work with advanced automation technologies including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, process computers, programmable drives, smart instrumentation, and system interfaces. You will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of critical production systems, helping operations maximize efficiency, safety, and uptime. As a trusted technical partner to global manufacturing teams, you will support the engineering, development, programming, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management of automation and process control solutions across a variety of smelting operations, including potrooms, casthouses, utilities, laboratories, environmental systems, and material handling.

Working closely with plant teams, ITAS colleagues, and centers of excellence, you will also manage projects from concept through deployment, drive compliance and system modernization initiatives, and deliver innovative solutions that create measurable value across our global operations.

About the Role:

• Support plant problem solving activities and information requirements
• Participate in the development of strategic technical plans
• Propose and develop tools and enablers that facilitate the team’s productivity and service delivery capabilities.
• Collaborate with and sometimes lead remote, globally diverse teams and achieve results in the process control and automation area to meet the Center of Excellence commitment to the three Alcoa strategic priorities: Alcoa Technology Advantage, Profitable Growth and Disciplined Execution
• Apply engineering and process control principles to manufacturing and facilities processes and equipment to enable safe and reliable operations and meet business objectives.
• Work with the Center of Excellence (CoE) Operational Excellence and technology groups to ensure deployment of standard practices and technologies
• Coordinate technical needs and services to provide common solutions and information sharing
• Perform application integration and programming work, including oversight for work done by third party for common solutions
• Deploy common solutions across multiple regions and locations where GPP has current operating facilities, supporting common solutions across multiple time zones and cultures and the established effective support models
• Build relationships and align regional and location resources to the GPP Manufacturing Solutions strategy.
• Assist locations in the development of funding requests for the deployment of automation and process control systems
• Conduct solid project management for deployment, support, or upgrading actions
• Meet all required Alcoa Audit, Engineering Standards, and compliance expectations for the development, deployment, and support of the process control and automation systems

What you can bring to this role:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5-10 years of experience designing, developing, commissioning, and supporting automation and process control systems in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects, including scope development, estimating, scheduling, and execution.
• Hands-on experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting; experience with Rockwell Automation hardware and software is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in C++ programming and application development.
• Knowledge of process control and industrial automation technologies, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, process computers, instrumentation, and integrated manufacturing systems.
• Experience with system integration, application development, and technical architecture design.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and operational support processes.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills with the ability to resolve complex technical issues.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across multiple locations, teams, and organizational levels.
• Experience leading projects, influencing stakeholders, and working within cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated people leadership, mentoring, or team coordination experience is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel globally as business needs require.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs, and stock-based compensation awards (3-year vesting schedule)
• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA
• 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• 15 days of paid vacation (pro-rated from hire date).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• #LI-TL2

About the Location

Working at the Pittsburgh Alcoa Corporate Center, located on the thriving North Shore of Pittsburgh, allows employees to experience firsthand, whether working virtually or on-site or a hybrid of the two, what being a values-based company means. Through daily interactions with colleagues and exposure to some of the organization’s highest-level executives, the office creates an environment in which all employees can develop and contribute to their full potential.

Outside of the office, Pittsburgh itself is one of the country’s most livable and affordable cities – combining the city feel with small town charm.

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at [e-mail].

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career! Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better. Shape your Career at Alcoa! As an Alcoan you are part of a global team committed to advancing sustainability and delivering excellence and innovation. As a values-based company, we Act with Integrity, Operate with Excellence, Care for People, and Lead with Courage.

Join us and become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. We treat all people with dignity and we believe in inclusion, diversity and enabling all employees to grow and develop their careers with us, where they can pursue their passions. Discover the possibilities a career with Alcoa can have for you. Come shape your career with us!

Careers @ Alcoa Sustainability @ Alcoa