Senior Automation and Controls Engineer

Lead Automation and Controls Engineer

Join Bolder Industries – Where Innovation Meets Impact

Bolder Industries is redefining the rules of sustainable manufacturing. We deliver traceable, mass-balanced circular solutions for the rubber, plastics, and petrochemical sectors — transforming end-of-life tires into high-value materials used by global brands across more than 3,000 applications.

With proven technology, a strong commercial track record, and rapid global growth, Bolder leads the industry in circularity at scale. Executives join for the mission and stay for the people. We have a bold, collaborative culture driven to make a difference.

If you're ready to lead innovation and scale global impact, this is where bold ideas meet real results. Bolder Industries is ISO 9001 certified and holds a Bronze EcoVadis rating.

Position Summary

The Senior Automation and Controls (I&C) Engineer – Corporate Engineering (Chemical Manufacturing) provides enterprise-level technical leadership for instrumentation, process control, and automation systems across multiple chemical manufacturing sites. This role establishes and governs corporate standards, leads high-impact capital projects, and supports sites in ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation of control systems governing hazardous chemical processes.

Operating within a multi-site environment, the position acts as a technical authority for DCS, SIS, and critical analytical instrumentation, balancing site-specific needs with standardization, scalability, and lifecycle optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Engineering

· Lead the design, specification, and lifecycle management of instrumentation and control systems for chemical processing units, utilities, and offsites.

· Develop and maintain control philosophies, Functional Design Specifications (FDS), cause-and-effect matrices, interlock narratives, and alarm rationalization documentation.

· Design DCS, PLC, and SCADA architectures with appropriate redundancy, segregation, and high-availability strategies.

· Support control strategies in accordance with ISA-88, including recipe management and phase logic where applicable.

· Oversee factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and post-startup optimization.

Safety, Compliance & Reliability

· Design, validate, and maintain Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) in accordance with IEC 61511/61508 and company process safety standards.

· Participate in and support HAZOP, LOPA, PHA revalidation, and SIL determination activities.

· Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards including OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, NFPA, API, IEC, ISA, and local authority requirements.

· Implement and maintain alarm management programs in accordance with ISA-18.2 and EEMUA 191.

· Improve unit reliability and availability through diagnostics, preventive maintenance strategies, and control system lifecycle management.

Project Delivery

· Serve as the corporate A&C discipline lead for multi-site capital projects, including new units, expansions, and technology transfers.

· Develop corporate project execution standards and engineering work processes for automation and controls.

· Support front-end loading (FEL/FEED), technology evaluations, and business case development.

· Provide technical oversight for EPCs and system integrators across multiple sites, ensuring consistency and quality.

· Support global procurement strategies, preferred vendor selection, and lifecycle cost optimization.

Operations Support & Continuous Improvement

· Provide advanced troubleshooting for process upsets, instrumentation failures, and control system abnormalities in hazardous chemical operations.

· Lead root cause analyses (RCA) related to process control, instrumentation, and SIS events.

· Identify and implement control strategy improvements to enhance yield, quality, energy efficiency, and environmental performance.

· Support management of change (MOC) processes related to instrumentation and control modifications.

· Maintain accurate documentation, backups, version control, and cybersecurity hygiene for OT systems.

Mentorship & Collaboration

· Function as a corporate subject-matter expert and escalation point for site I&C engineers and technicians.

· Mentor site and regional engineers, sharing best practices and lessons learned across the enterprise.

· Collaborate with corporate process safety, IT/OT cybersecurity, reliability, and digital transformation teams.

· Facilitate cross-site communities of practice and technical governance forums.

Required Qualifications

· Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related discipline.

· 8–12+ years of progressive automation and controls engineering experience within chemical manufacturing or petrochemical facilities.

· Extensive hands-on experience with DCS platforms commonly used in the chemical industry (e.g., Rockwell PlantPAx, Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa, Siemens PCS 7).

· Strong working knowledge of chemical unit operations, continuous and batch processing, and process control strategies.

· Demonstrated experience supporting OSHA PSM-covered processes and participating in PHAs.

· Proven ability to lead projects and interface effectively with operations, maintenance, and process engineering teams.

Preferred Qualifications

· Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.

· TÜV Functional Safety Engineer or equivalent certification preferred but not required.

· Experience with advanced process control (APC), batch (ISA-88), and MES integration (ISA-95).

· Familiarity with OT cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443).

Skills & Competencies

· Enterprise mindset with the ability to balance standardization and site-specific operational needs.

· Strong influencing skills without direct authority in a matrixed organization.

· Ability to translate complex technical issues into clear business and risk-based recommendations.

· Excellent documentation, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Work Environment & Travel

· Corporate office environment with frequent engagement with operating plants.

· Regular travel to domestic and international manufacturing sites to support projects, audits, and troubleshooting.

· Travel typically 30–40%, depending on project portfolio and site support needs.

Why Bolder Industries?

We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth:

• Career Growth: Training and development programs
• Employee Recognition: Real-time appreciation with personalized rewards
• Time Off: Generous PTO and paid sick leave
• Comprehensive Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision for employees and families
• Security: Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance at no cost to employee
• Retirement: 401(k) participation

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Bolder Industries is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees—regardless of race, color, religion, age, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other protected status.