Engineer Principal - Advanced Process Control at Westlake

Houston, Texas, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Chemicals, ManufacturingIndustries

Requirements

Expertise in a variety of APC platforms, including AspenTech, Rockwell Automation, and Honeywell APC platforms
Experience with the entire lifecycle of APC projects, including identification, design, implementation, and maintenance
Ability to analyze process dynamics and operation challenges, and develop advanced control strategies (e.g., multivariable control, advanced PID, sequence control, interlocks)
Proficiency in monitoring, troubleshooting, and tuning APC and base layer PID controller performance
Knowledge of integrating APC systems with DCS, PLCs, laboratory information systems, and plant historians (e.g., InfoPlus.21, OSIsoft PI)
Experience supporting plant operations during turnarounds, commissioning, start-up phases, site acceptance testing, and commissioning of control systems
Familiarity with Management of Change (MOC) processes and maintaining comprehensive documentation (e.g., PID loop tuning logs, APC design documents, change logs)
Skilled in providing training and coaching to operators, process engineers, and fellow APC engineers
Strong collaboration and communication skills with multi-disciplinary stakeholders (e.g., management, process/production/operation/control teams, IT/OT teams)
Experience in DCS/PLC software/hardware upgrades, alarm rationalization, and technical assurance reviews
Ability to contribute to real-time data strategies, technology roadmaps, capital plans, and standardization of APC practices

Responsibilities

Lead the identification, design, implementation, and maintenance of APC applications for real-time process optimization across PEM manufacturing sites
Analyze process dynamics and develop advanced control strategies, including multivariable control, advanced PID, sequence control, and interlocks
Proactively monitor, troubleshoot, and tune APC and base layer PID controllers to ensure uptime and benefit realization
Support the implementation and maintenance of the company-wide APC KPI Dashboard system
Re-evaluate and adapt control strategies in response to plant operating condition changes
Integrate APC systems with DCS, PLCs, laboratory systems, and historians
Support plant operations during turnarounds, commissioning, start-ups, and perform site acceptance testing
Ensure changes follow MOC processes and maintain documentation (e.g., tuning logs, design docs, change logs)
Provide training and coaching to operators, process engineers, and less experienced APC engineers on APC usage and best practices
Facilitate adoption of APC solutions, report on usage and KPIs, and communicate with stakeholders across the APC project lifecycle
Organize/participate in APC program development activities, including sharing lessons learned, defining standards/guidelines
Participate in DCS/PLC upgrades, alarm rationalization, and technical assurance reviews
Collaborate with plant operations and engineering to identify and implement process control improvements
Work with OT/IT and Data Science teams on real-time data strategies, architectures, technology roadmaps, and capital plans
Support standardization and harmonization of APC practices, specifications, and KPIs across sites

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Advanced Process ControlAspenTechRockwell AutomationHoneywell APCMultivariable ControlAdvanced PIDSequence ControlInterlocksPID TuningProcess DynamicsReal-time OptimizationKPI Dashboard

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type for this Principal APC Engineer role?

The position is full-time employment.

Is this Principal APC Engineer position remote or does it require on-site work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills are required for the Principal APC Engineer role?

Expertise in APC platforms including AspenTech, Rockwell Automation, and Honeywell is required, along with skills in multivariable control, advanced PID, sequence control, interlocks, process dynamics analysis, troubleshooting, tuning, and integration with DCS, PLCs, historians like InfoPlus.21 and OSIsoft PI.

What is the company culture like at Westlake for this role?

Westlake offers an entrepreneurial environment where teams work together to enhance peoples' lives through products and community presence, emphasizing collaboration with Data Scientists, Plant Operators, Process Engineers, and Digital Office colleagues.

What makes a strong candidate for the Principal APC Engineer position?

A strong candidate will have technical leadership experience managing the full APC project lifecycle, expertise across multiple APC platforms, strong collaboration skills with multi-disciplinary stakeholders, and the ability to provide training and ensure adherence to MOC processes.