Senior Process Automation & Controls 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

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.