Senior Principal Technical Consultant-CWK

Wood PLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wood PLC seeks an experienced Process Optimization and Automation professional to lead APC, RTO, and AI-driven initiatives within complex industrial environments. You will drive Real Time Optimization and Advanced Process Control solutions to improve throughput, quality, energy efficiency, and profitability, and guide DCS design, configuration, migration, testing, commissioning, and startup.

In this role you will collaborate with operations, engineering, and digital teams to identify

Qualifications

• Experience with APC, RTO and DCS and process optimization.
• Ability to lead technical projects from design through commissioning and startup.
• Experience with AI, machine learning, digital optimization and mentoring teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex optimization projects.
• Provide strategic technical guidance to clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage project scope, schedules, deliverables, and technical quality.
• Support proposals, technical sales, and project planning activities.
• Deliver APC, optimization, and process-control training.
• Mentor engineers and share best practices across the organization.

Skills

Advanced Process Control

Real Time Optimization

AI in process control

DCS systems

Leadership

Tools

Microsoft BonsAI

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for an experienced Process Optimization and Automation professional to lead advanced process control, optimization, automation, and AI-driven initiatives within complex industrial environments. In this role, you will develop and implement Real Time Optimization (RTO) and Advanced Process Control (APC) solutions designed to improve throughput, product quality, energy efficiency, and profitability. You will also support the design, configuration, migration, testing, commissioning, and startup of DCS and automation systems. As a technical leader, you will help drive AI and digital transformation, developing intelligent control solutions using machine learning and advanced analytics, including Microsoft BonsAI. Working closely with operations, engineering, and digital teams, you will identify opportunities where emerging technologies can deliver measurable business value.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex optimization projects.
• Provide strategic technical guidance to clients and key stakeholders.
• Manage project scope, schedules, deliverables, and technical quality.
• Support proposals, technical sales, and project planning activities.
• Deliver APC, optimization, and process-control training.
• Mentor engineers and share best practices across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have strong experience in APC, RTO, DCS and process optimization, with the ability to lead technical projects from design through commissioning and startup. Experience with AI, machine learning, digital optimization, technical consulting, and mentoring engineering teams would be highly valuable. This is an excellent opportunity for a technically accomplished professional who combines deep process-control expertise with leadership, innovation, and a passion for using automation and AI to improve operational performance.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara - a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies. www.woodgroup.com

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.