Control Systems Specialist

My client is looking for a Control Systems Specialist in Bakersfield, CA supporting their renewable diesel project! This will be a contract position to start with the intent to turn direct. 

Job Summary:
The Control Systems Specialist supports day-to-day operations during the design, construction, and commissioning phases, ensuring control systems are implemented safely and correctly. This role collaborates closely with the Technical Services team, Project Managers, EPC Contractors, Equipment Suppliers, and Subcontractors to ensure project designs and specifications are accurately executed. Upon project completion and the facility's transition to operational status, the Control Systems Engineer will shift to providing ongoing operations support, ensuring the control systems continue to function efficiently and reliably.

Essential Functions:

• Support existing Honeywell DCS network to maintain safe and reliable operations until project completion and startup
• Provide troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of control systems, including DCS, SIS, and PLCs
• Analyze and resolve operational problems related to control systems
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to ensure proper instrumentation, electrical systems, and network configurations
• Perform upgrades, configuration changes, and tuning of control systems, ensuring safety and efficiency
• Assist in maintaining technical documentation such as cause and effect tables, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and control system logic diagrams
• Participate in control system design, specification, testing, and commissioning for new projects and system upgrades
• Troubleshoot and resolve network and IT-related issues within the process control network (PCN)
• Ensure compliance with all safety and operational protocols, particularly with respect to safety instrumentation systems
• Ensuring process control documentation is up to date, and MOC’s are closed out timely
• Responsible for continuous improvement of the base layer control system performance through process control structured monitoring, addressing bad actors with respect to controller uptime, compliance, interventions, and protective controller demand rate
• Work with site engineers and staff from other disciplines to evaluate requirements and develop new concepts that could add value to the commercial applications
• Transfer control engineering design knowledge to operations by providing the tools, training, information and other essential skills to the Plant Engineers
• Review, analyze, and approve controls data during commissioning to ensure that it meets the contracted performance metrics, support project commissioning and startup activities as needed
• Assess the health and day-to-day operations of the facility (i.e., checking control systems, alarms, errors, and malfunctions; improving performance, optimizing control schemes to ensure that associated commercial and safety requirements are met)
• Modify control system for schemes that will better support operations
• Provide suggestions, strategies, and recommendations for improved production rates, efficiencies, yields, and cost reduction initiatives  
• Utilize industry best practices, techniques, and standards throughout entire project and operation
• Provide after-hours support when appropriate – emergency call out
• Perform related tasks as assigned
• Programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley, Honeywell, and Siemens PLCs

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proven ability in defining, implementing, and maintaining a process controls system
• Proven ability to solve problems creatively and seeing projects through the full life cycle
• Solid troubleshooting skills, especially in control and automation systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS), and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)General understanding of refinery operations, process automation, and related technologies.
• Familiarity with Windows PCs and servers, IP networking, and virtualization.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, cause and effect tables, and other refinery documentation.
• Excellent technical and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and extremely resourceful
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and, at times, stressful environment

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field. Equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• Experience working with Honeywell DCS is strongly preferred
• Experience with hydroprocessing, hydrogen production, and gas plant equipment and ancillary support systems preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 40 pounds at times
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to perform repetitive movements over long periods of time
• Must be able to climb ladders and or stairs on tanks, vessels, and structures; work around equipment containing high pressures and temperatures and various chemicals

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.