Process Controls Engineer

Gulf Coast Authority; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 103,771 - 133,640; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Excellent benefits

Retirement plans

Leave and vacation

On-site facilities

Job summary

Gulf Coast Authority is seeking a Process Controls Engineer to support operations, maintenance, and project teams. You will implement new process control technology, resolve issues with control systems, and contribute to cybersecurity for the controls network. Reports to the Technical Director.

The role requires hands-on field work, collaboration with maintenance and operations, and coordination with consultants on control projects.

Qualifications

• BS degree in electrical, instrumentation, or controls engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in field operations.
• Licensed PE in Texas or able to obtain within 3 years.
• Valid Texas Class C driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Specify instrumentation and controls for monitoring and operation of systems.
• Develop and optimize control strategies and P&IDs.
• Document control narratives and manage logic with consultants.
• Configure and maintain SCADA/HMI systems for operator interfaces.
• Coordinate control logic development across operations and suppliers.
• Prepare documentation and train staff on control system operation.
• Triage control system issues with maintenance and operations.

Skills

Instrumentation & controls

Ladder logic troubleshooting

HMI design

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Data analysis

OT cybersecurity awareness

Troubleshooting electrical circuits

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical/Instrumentation & Controls Engineering

5+ years related engineering experience

Professional Engineer (PE) license or eligible

Texas Class C Driver's License

Tools

SCADA/HMI systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Process Controls Engineer will provide operations, maintenance, and project team support. They will interact with various functional groups to implement new process control technology and equipment, evaluate and resolve problems with existing process control systems (using maintenance and/or third‑party consultant support as needed), ensure the control systems are properly deployed to best meet operations and maintenance requirements, participate in developing cybersecurity protocol for the controls network, and aid in managing the power distribution system. Reports directly to the Technical Director.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

• 2.1 Determine, select, and specify instrumentation and controls required to monitor, operate, and control mechanical, process, and electrical systems.
• 2.2 Provide input to develop P&IDs, specifically the development and optimization of control strategies.
• 2.3 Document and maintain control narratives (sequence of operations) and work with outside consultants for logic and HMI screen development.
• 2.4 Configure and maintain SCADA/HMI systems for operator interface.
• 2.5 During projects, assist with coordinating the development of control logic, HMI applications, and system configuration between operations and control system suppliers. Participate in factory checkout of equipment prior to delivery and witness loop checks in the field prior to final acceptance.
• 2.6 Prepare documentation and train operations and maintenance staff on control system operation.
• 2.7 Work closely with maintenance and operations to troubleshoot and resolve issues in the control system, instrumentation, PLC logic, or HMI display.
• 2.8 Manage and direct consultants during control‑related projects or jobs.
• 2.9 Maintain data historian server with the help of outside consultants as needed.
• 2.10 Support inventory of control system assets.
• 2.11 Identify patching strategies for OT systems (balancing uptime, cost, and risk).
• 2.12 Support system monitoring for anomalies and unauthorized access.
• 2.13 Identify control system vulnerabilities and remediations.
• 2.14 Maintain awareness of emerging threats to industrial systems.
• 2.15 Work with outside consultants and others as designed to develop scope and design of electrical power projects.
• 2.16 Other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• 3.1 Practical knowledge of instrumentation and controls to be able to oversee the work of a third‑party consultant in design and programming.
• 3.2 Ability to understand and troubleshoot ladder logic, loop diagrams, and control wiring diagrams.
• 3.3 Knowledge of field instrumentation including analyzers, flow meters, and control valves.
• 3.4 Understanding of instrument calibration principles and troubleshooting instrument failures.
• 3.5 Understanding signal types.
• 3.6 Knowledge of HMI design and usability optimization.
• 3.7 Knowledge of alarm management and performance tuning.
• 3.8 Ability to translate process requirements into control logic.
• 3.9 Ability to analyze trends and large datasets.
• 3.10 Understanding of root cause analysis and reliability improvement methods.
• 3.11 Strong communication skills and the ability to work with different groups including maintenance, operations, project engineering, and consultants.
• 3.12 Ability to assist electricians in troubleshooting electrical circuits in the field.
• 3.13 Other related duties as assigned.

Environmental Conditions

• 4.1 Work is performed indoors and outdoors with some exposure to extreme heat (100°F) and cold (32°F).
• 4.2 Work may involve exposure to potential noise, mechanical, electrical, explosive, fume/odor, dust/mite, chemical, toxic waste hazards with proper precautionary procedures.
• 4.3 Safety requirements include the ability to wear all PPE including full face respirator and supplied air.
• 4.4 Must be able to work in an industrial environment on‑site at GCA and customer facilities as needed.

Education, Certification, and Experience Required

• 5.1 Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Instrumentation and Controls Engineering, or similar.
• 5.2 At least 5 years of experience in related engineering experience, including work in the field.
• 5.3 Be a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas or be qualified to obtain and maintain a P.E. license within 3 years.
• 5.4 Possess and maintain a valid Class C Texas Driver's License and meet GCA automobile carrier insurability requirements.

Physical Requirements

• 6.1 This is an onsite position that requires presence at the Central Office and other GCA locations.
• 6.2 Ability to sit while performing various job functions such as writing, operating computers, and other office activities.
• 6.3 Ability to walk, stand, kneel, crouch/stoop, squat, twist upper body, and climb while performing project inspection and other job functions.
• 6.4 Ability to grasp and manipulate with hands items such as hand tools and type on a computer keyboard.
• 6.5 Ability to travel overnight to facilities, project sites, or training locations.
• 6.6 Must be able to work extended hours, as required.

Benefits

We offer competitive wages and an excellent benefits package including group medical insurance, dental, vision, life, and disability programs. GCA also has excellent retirement plans, leave plans, vacation, and an engaged working environment.

Summary

Salary Range: $103,771.20 - $133,640.00.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills, and physical demands required of personnel so classified. Holding people assigned to this or any job to expectations described herein does not constitute harassment in any form.