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Tallgrass · 1 month ago

Engineer-Process Controls, Lead

Houston, TX

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

$186K/yr - $202K/yr

15+ years exp

Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on delivering energy and services sustainably. The Lead Process Controls Engineer is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems for power generation equipment, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

Energy

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the process controls engineering team throughout the Engineering/design, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) process, adapting I&C plans according to the assigned budget, schedule, engineering/design standards

Oversee the design, develop, and maintain control systems for power plant equipment including turbines, boilers, generators, and balance of plant systems

Configure and program Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) specific to power generation processes

Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex control system issues during design and commissioning phases

Develop and optimize control logic to improve plant efficiency, reduce emissions, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements

Collaborate with process and mechanical engineers to translate operational requirements into control system specifications

Perform system testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting during startup and ongoing operations

Monitor control system performance and implement improvements to enhance reliability and availability

Develop and maintain detailed documentation such as control narratives, logic diagrams, functional specifications, and test procedures

Ensure all control systems comply with industry standards (e.g., ISA, IEEE, IEC), safety regulations, and environmental guidelines

Support power plant-wide automation projects and upgrades, including integration of new technologies

Provide technical support and training to plant operators and maintenance personnel

Participate in root cause analysis and corrective action for control system-related issues

Assist in emergency response and plant outage activities as needed

Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to other engineers or project staff as assigned to support the process engineering efforts of major process facility projects

Manage client and team relationships on multiple assigned projects to help ensure that the process design basis (PDP) is technically sound and meets the client project objectives. Provide technical oversight of assigned projects from early Front-End Planning (FEP) through detailed design and construction

Lead the production of controls design deliverables, including I/O list, Process Control Narratives, Graphic Sketches, Cause & Effect Diagrams, Alarm Rationalization, and manage third-party control system suppliers to comply with the control system design requirements, including participating in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)

Lead the production of I&C purchase specifications, review bids, make technical recommendations and manage the overall purchase, review of I&C packages, and review of vendor documentation

Responsible for compliance with company and project site safety policies

Qualification

Process control engineeringDistributed Control Systems (DCS)Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)Power plant control systemsControl system troubleshootingPerformance optimizationSafety Integrity Level (SIL) CalculationsProject managementCommunicationTeamwork skillsProblem-solving skillsAttention to detailCollaboration

Required

Bachelor of Science in Instrumentation and Controls Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Instrumentation

15 years of engineering experience

Experience in process control engineering within power generation facilities

Strong knowledge of power plant control systems such as DCS (e.g., ABB, Honeywell, Emerson DeltaV, Siemens PCS7), PLCs, and SCADA

Familiarity with turbine control systems, boiler control, and balance of plant automation

Understanding of power plant processes including steam generation, combustion, emissions control, and electrical generation

Knowledge of industry standards and regulatory requirements related to power plants

Proficient in control system troubleshooting, commissioning, and performance optimization

Excellent communication and teamwork skills

Ability to work in both office and plant environments, including site visits and shift work if required

Experience with power plant performance monitoring and optimization tools

Knowledge of cybersecurity practices for industrial control systems

Familiarity with environmental control systems (e.g., SCR, FGD)

Project management and vendor coordination experience

Familiarity with OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management ANSI/ISA-61511 Other similar industry standards

Safety Integrity Level (SIL) Calculations

Strong knowledge of electrical equipment design ANSI and IEEE Standards

Strong proficiency in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Outlook

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers (for travel)

Knowledge of industry's regulatory compliance issues and standards

Must be able to take direction from supervisor(s), keep required work schedule, focus attention on details, and follow work rules

Ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment

Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization and problem-solving skills

Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications

Ability to travel

Ability to take on additional tasks and shift priorities on short notice

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Strong focus on safe work practices

Able to complete work assignments with moderate supervision in an acceptable timeframe

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Aptitude and interest in learning and leveraging new programs to accomplish tasks

Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job

Must be able to work with a team

Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines

Ability to organize and prioritize daily work

The individual must possess the ability to associate and communicate with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy, and professionalism

Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling

Must be able to climb to and work from elevated platforms, ladders and walkways

Must be able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions, climb vertical access ladders and stairwells, carry up to 50 pounds and to see, hear, walk and talk effectively

Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time

The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds

This is a full-time position

Essentially indoors but must be able to work outdoors in project & maintenance activities

Travel from 40% of time to engineering offices, field sites and company offices with occasional overnight stays

May be required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours

The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed