Process Control Specialist

Alcoa; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock-based compensation

401(k) with company match

HSA contributions

Job summary

Alcoa is seeking a Process Control Specialist to support ITAS Smelting Operations, focusing on automation, control systems, and lifecycle management across multiple facilities. You will engage with plant teams, systems engineers, and centers of excellence to drive performance, safety, and uptime.

The role requires hands-on PLC work, Rockwell hardware/software experience, and strong C++ development skills, with global collaboration across regions and time zones.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 5–10 years designing, developing, commissioning, and supporting automation and process control systems.
• Hands‑on PLC programming and troubleshooting experience; Rockwell preferred.
• Proficiency in C++ and application development.
• Knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, process computers and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Support plant problem solving activities and information requirements.
• Develop strategic technical plans for automation.
• Lead or collaborate with remote, globally diverse teams on process control initiatives.
• Deploy and standardize common automation solutions across regions.
• Coordinate projects from concept through deployment and lifecycle management.

Skills

PLC programming

C++ programming

Analytical problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

BSc in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Automation hardware & software

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 faciliti zee 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