Process Controls Engineer

Reposted 22 Days Ago
2 Locations
In-Office or Remote
120K-140K Annually
Senior level
Software • Design
The Role
Design, program, test, and commission PLC-based process control systems for food and pulp & paper plants. Specify controls hardware, develop functional descriptions and PLC programs, support estimating and electrical design, perform onsite I/O checks and commissioning, and provide operator training and documentation.
Summary Generated by Built In

Process Controls Engineer

 At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us:

 Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary:

Location: Remote -Lubbock, TX or Lemoore, CA (near client sites)

In this role you will:

  • Collaborate with clients, vendors, and cross-functional internal team to determine Process Control needs and solutions.
  • Support Project Managers and Process Engineers in developing estimates for controls hardware and engineering effort.
  • Work with Electrical Designers to specify controls hardware components and develop electrical wiring diagrams.
  • Review electrical installation documents for technical accuracy and ensure the design meets the controls requirements.
  • Write Functional Descriptions that describe how control systems will operate.
  • Develop and test PLC programs based on Functional Descriptions
  • During commissioning, perform onsite IO checks.
  • Commission PLC programs onsite until the systems are in full production, performing maintenance and operator training.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.

You will be a good fit if:

  • Proficiency in Allen-Bradley PLC Programming Software (RS Logix, Studio 5000)
  • Ability to develop a PLC program from scratch or customize a program based on customer specific templates.
  • Detailed understanding of process instrumentation (flow, mass flow, temperature, pressure) and control loop concepts
  • Proficient in batch controls, recipe management, and CIP circuits
  • Proficient at designing, programming, and configuring Variable Frequency Drive systems, specifically Rockwell hardware.
  • Proficiency in interpreting P&ID drawings
  • Experience with liquid processing including pumps, blending, filtration, heat transfer, etc.
  • Experience with utility (steam, water, air, NH3, etc.) design and impacts on process design.
  • Ability to perform in a design team environment.
  • Experience working with multi trade-based vendors/contractors.
  • Experience in plant operations and industrial environments understanding control system impacts to maintenance and other work processes.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Project, et.)
  • Technical Writing expertise
  • Leadership skills. Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Attentiveness to detail, follow-up procedures, and documentation of action
  • Proficient in time management and personal organization

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in electrical or chemical engineering
  • 5 years Process Controls experience in the Pulp and Paper or Food and Beverage Industries
  • Experience programming legal PLCs and familiarity with USDA requirements for pasteurizers.
  • Proficiency in Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Archestra, and FactoryTalk HMI development
  • Experience designing controls system networks using Ethernet.
  • Experience in Food & Beverage Manufacturing

Work Environment:

  • 50% standard office setting
  • 50% shop and manufacturing facility

Physical Demands:

Sufficient mobility to work in an office setting; stand or sit for prolonged periods of time. Must have ability to walk long distances and possess the flexibility to maneuver in and around machinery to take measurements. When on customer startups, must be able to travel long distances by car or plane and have the stamina to work extended hours (12+ hours per day) for up to 14 continuous days.

Compensation & Benefits:

Salas O’Brien health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Team members have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.  Salas O’Brien has both U.S. and Canadian (PTO) plans for full-time salaried, exempt and non-team members, 10 paid holidays, and paid leave programs for military service and new parents. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $120,000 to $140,000. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Travel: Up to 25%

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.


Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Skills Required

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical or chemical engineering
  • 5 years process controls experience in Pulp and Paper or Food and Beverage industries
  • Proficiency in Allen-Bradley PLC programming software (RS Logix, Studio 5000)
  • Ability to develop a PLC program from scratch or customize based on customer templates
  • Experience with PLC commissioning and performing onsite I/O checks
  • Proficiency in Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Archestra, and FactoryTalk HMI development
  • Detailed understanding of process instrumentation (flow, mass flow, temperature, pressure) and control loop concepts
  • Proficient in batch controls, recipe management, and CIP circuits
  • Proficient at designing, programming, and configuring Variable Frequency Drive systems, specifically Rockwell hardware
  • Proficiency in interpreting P&ID drawings
  • Experience with liquid processing including pumps, blending, filtration, heat transfer
  • Experience with utility (steam, water, air, NH3, etc.) design and impacts on process design
  • Experience designing control system networks using Ethernet
  • Experience in Food & Beverage manufacturing and familiarity with USDA requirements for pasteurizers
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, Project)
  • Technical writing expertise (functional descriptions, documentation)
  • Leadership skills and strong verbal and written communication
  • Attention to detail, follow-up procedures, and documentation practices
  • Ability to perform in a design team environment and work with multi trade-based vendors/contractors
  • Experience in plant operations and industrial environments understanding control system impacts to maintenance and operations

Salas O'Brien Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Salas O'Brien and has not been reviewed or approved by Salas O'Brien.

  • Healthcare Strength Healthcare options include multiple medical, dental, and vision plans with an individual medical option at no premium, plus no‑cost preventive medications and mental‑health resources. Employer‑paid disability and life coverage further strengthen the safety net.
  • Leave & Time Off Breadth Time off includes a base PTO allotment plus company office‑closure days and paid parental leave for births, adoptions, and foster placements. Feedback suggests the breadth of leave is a standout component of the package.
  • Retirement Support Retirement benefits include a 401(k) employer match with a potential additional company stock contribution, along with RRSP support in Canada and a student‑loan payment 401(k) match in the U.S. These features provide structured long‑term savings support beyond base pay.

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The Company
HQ: Irvine, California
2,062 Employees

What We Do

Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact™, helping clients achieve critical goals, advancing our team members through growth and opportunity, and operating at the center of important global issues, including sustainability and decarbonization. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.

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