Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
The Process Control Specialist is responsible for programming, operation and maintenance of the process control computer systems. This position performs the primary thinking encompassed by this job description, complies with all Company policies and procedures, and fully supports Company goals of continuous improvement and operational excellence at strategic and tactical levels including reviewing area of responsibility for improvement opportunities to initiate projects or communicate ideas to management as well as active participation on project teams.
Essential job duties:
- Maintain existing process computer and Aspen Data Historian systems and implement new computer systems as required to assure that Company meets key plant goals and objectives for Personnel Health/Safety, Environmental Protection, Raw Material Usage, Chlorine Production, and Operating costs.
- Diagnose problems with computer and process control systems, confers with system vendors, run basic hardware diagnostics, and makes decisions on repairing or replacing failed systems.
- Evaluate new systems and technologies for incorporation into process control systems. Recommend upgrades and resolve technical problems with new installations.
- Work with the Process Engineering Group to develop long-term goals for process parameters.
- Program microprocessor based systems to interface process control computers to conventional data collection and output devices such as gas chromatographs, scanivalves and opto-22 isolation boards.
- Assist with process computer hardware and software design, programming environmental data collection, alarming and report generation.
- Develop system standards for software and maintenance tasks to minimize the need for unique and custom programming efforts.
- Help Production Personnel troubleshoot computer process control systems.
- Help Instrument Technicians resolve interface problems between process instrumentation and process computers.
- Collect & evaluate operational data to develop key process control strategies.
- Maintain process PLCs and develop/maintain PLC equipment interlock shutdown systems.
Minimum qualifications:
- Associate's degree or 2-year technical diploma in Instrumentation, Electrical Technology, Automation, or related discipline.
- Minimum 2 years of industrial automation programming experience OR 5 years as a technician with proven programming proficiency.
- Knowledge of control systems design and operation. Working knowledge of digital electronics. Experience with board level computer system design and programming. Intimate knowledge of software protocol and communications driver logic. Extensive knowledge of operating systems design and function.
- Strong communication skills for team coordination.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.
Skills Required
- B.S. or A.S. Degree in Computer Engineering or Chemical Engineering
- Software systems implementation experience
- Knowledge of control systems design and operation
- Working knowledge of digital electronics
- Experience with board level computer system design and programming
- Knowledge of software protocol and communications driver logic
- Extensive knowledge of operating systems design and function
Westlake Chemical Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Westlake Chemical Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Westlake Chemical Corporation.
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Retirement Support — Feedback suggests the 401(k) with company matching is a strong element, and certain groups have noncontributory defined‑benefit pensions. This combination signals solid retirement support.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Feedback suggests incentive programs include quarterly or annual bonuses that supplement base pay. These recurring programs indicate reliable variable compensation opportunities.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, sick pay, and nine paid holidays are promoted alongside caregiver support programs. This breadth covers common time‑off needs.
Westlake Chemical Corporation Insights
What We Do
Westlake Chemical (NYSE: WLK) is a quality manufacturer and dependable global supplier of petrochemicals, plastics and building products. Our mission is to serve our clients by enhancing daily life through the products and services we provide, which in turn make life better for people every day. Employing approximately 9,500 people, Westlake operates from 36 locations in North America, 11 in Europe and 6 in Asia.
