Process Control Specialist

Alcoa Corporation; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation package

Flexible spending accounts and HSA

401(k) with company match

12 paid holidays per year

15 days of paid vacation

Job summary

Alcoa Corporation seeks a Process Control Specialist to support and advance automation within ITAS Smelting Operations. You’ll work with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and instrumentation to ensure reliable production systems across multiple sites, driving performance improvements and safe operations.

You will collaborate with global teams, lead remote projects, and help deploy standard practices while aligning with Alcoa’s strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5–10 years designing, developing, commissioning, and supporting automation & process control systems in manufacturing.
• Demonstrated project management experience including scope, estimating, scheduling, and execution.
• Hands-on PLC programming experience; Rockwell hardware/software strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in C++ programming and application development.
• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, process computers, instrumentation, and integrated manufacturing systems.
• Experience in system integration, application development, and technical architecture design.
• Understanding of manufacturing operations and operational support processes.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate across locations, teams, and levels.
• Experience leading projects and cross-functional teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Support plant problem solving activities and information requirements.
• Participate in development of strategic technical plans.
• Propose and develop tools to improve productivity and service delivery.
• Collaborate with and sometimes lead remote, global teams in process control and automation.
• Apply engineering and process control principles to enable safe, reliable operations.
• Work with CoE Operational Excellence and technology groups for standard practices deployment.
• Coordinate technical needs and services to provide common solutions.
• Perform application integration and oversee third-party work for common solutions.
• Deploy common solutions across regions and time zones with effective support models.
• Build relationships to align regional resources with the GPP Manufacturing Solutions strategy.
• Assist locations in developing funding requests for automation deployments.
• Conduct solid project management for deployment, support, or upgrades.
• Meet Alcoa Audit, Engineering Standards, and compliance requirements.

Skills

PLC programming

C++ programming

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation

HMI/SCADA

Process computers

Instrumentation

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.