Sr. Process Control 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 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.
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.
Location:
Travel: Up to 25%
Compensation & Benefits:
The expected base salary range for this role is $130,000 - $150,000 USD per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off and company holidays
- Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
- Professional development support
For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.
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, colour, 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.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O’Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
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
- Five years of process controls experience in the pulp and paper or food and beverage industries
- Experience programming PLCs
- Familiarity with USDA requirements for pasteurizers
- Proficiency in Allen-Bradley PLC programming software, including RSLogix and Studio 5000
- Experience with Wonderware InTouch, Wonderware Archestra, and FactoryTalk HMI development
- Experience designing control system networks using Ethernet
- Experience in food and beverage manufacturing
- Understanding of process instrumentation and control loop concepts
- Proficiency in batch controls, recipe management, and CIP circuits
- Experience designing, programming, and configuring Rockwell Variable Frequency Drive systems
- Proficiency interpreting P&ID drawings
- Experience with liquid processing, including pumps, blending, filtration, and heat transfer
- Experience with utility systems such as steam, water, air, and ammonia
- Experience working with vendors and contractors
- Experience in plant operations and industrial environments
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Technical writing expertise
- Leadership, verbal communication, and written communication skills
- Ability to work in a design team environment
- Ability to travel up to 25%, including extended customer startup assignments
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Salas O'Brien Insights
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.
