Senior Project Engineer - Control Systems

Role Description

The Controls Project Engineer plays a vital role in ensuring the smooth, efficient, and safe operation of our process plant infrastructure. This role spans the entire lifecycle of industrial automation projects—from feasibility studies and design to programming, integration, commissioning, and handovers. The ideal candidate will combine deep technical expertise in PLCs, DCS, and SCADA systems with robust project management skills to lead system upgrades, optimize existing control logic, and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to meet production and safety goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Management & Execution
  • End-to-End Delivery: Participate in the planning, design, and execution of control system projects, managing multiple initiatives simultaneously from initial feasibility through commissioning and handover.
  • Modernization & Upgrades: Lead engineering efforts to modernize aging control systems, upgrading PLCs, DCS, and instrumentation to newer, more efficient technologies.
  • Vendor & Stakeholder Management: Liaise with vendors and third-party suppliers to source hardware/software; oversee external contractors during installation and commissioning phases.
  • Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with plant operators, electrical engineers, process engineers, and maintenance teams to ensure control systems are perfectly tailored to operational requirements.
• Control Systems Design & Programming
  • Architecture & Instrumentation Design: Design and develop control system architectures and configure instrumentation (flow meters, pressure transmitters, temperature sensors) for new and existing processes.
  • PLC/DCS/SCADA Configuration: Develop, configure, and maintain PLC and DCS platforms. Write and optimize control logic utilizing Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and Function Block Diagrams.
  • HMI/SCADA Integration: Ensure seamless integration of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and HMIs to provide comprehensive plant process monitoring and control.
  • System Integration: Align diverse hardware, software, and field devices to ensure seamless compatibility across the plant's automation infrastructure.
• Safety, Compliance & Risk Management
  • Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS): Design and implement critical safety systems, including Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD) in compliance with industry standards (e.g., IEC 61508, IEC 61511).
  • Regulatory & Hazardous Compliance: Ensure all control systems meet environmental, OSHA, NFPA, ISO, and IEC regulations, with strict adherence to hazardous area classifications and safety protocols.
  • Cybersecurity: Apply routine software updates, patches, and network best practices to secure industrial control systems against cybersecurity threats.
• Training & Documentation
  • Knowledge Transfer: Provide technical training to plant operators and maintenance staff on the operation, safety features, and basic troubleshooting of new control systems.
  • Technical Documentation: Author and maintain up-to-date system manuals, control narratives, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
  • Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
  • Experience:
    • 10+ years of direct experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or systems integration (preferably within a process plant, manufacturing, or heavy industrial environment).
    • Proven track record of managing and delivering automation projects from initial design/feasibility through to site commissioning.
• Technical Expertise : In-depth understanding of control systems (PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI), process instrumentation, and automation workflows.
• Programming Skills : Proficiency in industrial programming languages including Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and Function Block Diagrams.
• Project Management : Demonstrated ability to manage timelines, scope, and engineering deliverables across multiple projects.
• Analytical Problem-Solving : Strong critical thinking skills required to troubleshoot complex automation errors rapidly and perform root cause analyses.
• Safety Consciousness : Thorough knowledge of process safety management, safety lifecycles, and hazardous area classifications.
• Communication & Collaboration : Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively present system performance metrics to management and collaborate with site-wide maintenance and operations staff.
• Control Platforms : PLC, DCS, SCADA, and HMI architectures.
• Engineering & Configuration Software : AutoCAD (for electrical/control drawings), alongside major vendor software suites (e.g., Siemens, Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Wonderware/AVEVA, Emerson).
• Industrial Communication Protocols : Modbus, OPC, HART, Profibus, Ethernet/IP, etc.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Certified Functional Safety Professional/Engineer (CFSP/CFSE).
• Experience with cybersecurity protocols for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) / Operational Technology (OT).

Company Description

LSB Chemical L.L.C. is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. LSB prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. LSB conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.