Senior/Staff Engineer, Control Systems

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POSITION OVERVIEW

The Senior/Staff Engineer, Control Systems reports to the Engineering Superintendent, Control Systems and is the technical expert for all matters related to the instrumentation and control technology as well as accountable for troubleshooting, supporting, maintaining, and improving these systems including all associated documentations.  The Senior/Staff Engineer, Control Systems provides Operations department with expertise, participates in development of capital projects, conducts data analytics and testing as required to solve problems, optimize plant performance, supports safety and environmental audits / compliance, and understands business objectives so that the facility operates safely in support of business needs.

This is a non-DOT position. 

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Serve as the Controls Systems administrator.  Monitors the health of aging control system software and hardware and schedules replacement and upgrades as needed.  Provide Controls Systems support to Maintenance and Operations groups to keep systems operational.

• Custodian of the DCS alarm management program to prevent nuisance alarms and unmanageable alarm influx resulting from process upsets.  Identify applicable critical alarms that require specific Operator action and implement ‘Operator Guide Messages’ to communicate required Operator action.

• Assume the role as the Operator Training Simulator administrator (OTS). Develop and maintain the OTS for use in training and as an engineering tool.

• Use sound engineering practices, plant standards, and specifications to ensure that documentation for the Controls Systems are maintained properly. Custodian of the control system alarm setpoint list, narratives, cause and effects, logic diagrams, and instrument index.

• Thoroughly understand the technical Management of Change (MOC) process and utilize it in support of capital projects and routine facility changes. Participate in Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR).

• Develop or modify Complex control schemes and logic for capital and optimization projects based on Process Engineer’s objectives for implementation. 

• Actively participate in regulatory agency audits as required.

• Develop control system design basis, preliminary estimates, and schedules to support capital and facility upgrade/optimization projects.  Assess and lead the implementations of advanced process strategies for the control system.

• Closely work with the Engineering Superintendent, CSE, to define problems, establish work scopes, prepare task budgets and schedules, plan work, provide technical direction, and report the work status to management.

• Reinforce safety and environmental awareness through frequent job observations and by interfacing with plant personnel. 

• Work with Engineering and Construction department to provide support and assure O & M interests are represented on major projects. Participates in Controls Systems factory acceptance tests (FATs) and site acceptance tests (SATs).

• Interact with and support Commercial Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and other departments as required.

• Coach, mentor and develop less experience staff within the control systems engineering group.

• Actively participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Hazard and Operability Review (HAZOP) as well and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)

• Lead incident investigation to analyze equipment and system failures and suggest feasible solutions and corrective actions.

• Actively monitor control systems performance and act to improve the performance of the systems as well as rectifying any known failures.

• The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time; or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Knowledge: Strong fundamental knowledge of field instrumentation, control system architecture and design and its application in automated industrial facilities.  Preferred In-depth knowledge of the Yokogawa Distributed Control System (DCS), Yokogawa Safety Instrumented System (SIS), and Allen Bradley Programmable Logic Control Systems (PLC) in an operating facility. Familiar with the hazards of hydrocarbon processes, cryogenic services and the methods used to keep process facilities safe. Knowledge of LNG Liquefaction technology and processes.  In-depth knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulations and their implementation in LNG operating facilities. Competent in the configuration, testing and troubleshooting of process automation applications, software, cyber security, and their communication interfaces.

Skills:

• Strong teamwork, leadership and administrative abilities are required.
• An acute sensitivity to safety issues in a hazardous environment.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization and with individuals and groups from different disciplines, industries, and governmental agencies. 
• Able to work with a culturally diverse group of technical individuals whose skills cover the range required to engineer, operate, and maintain the LNG terminal and Liquefaction production facilities.
• Possess the personality and ability to relate to and to establish a mutually respectful relationship with 1) management, 2) peers and 3) the various facility level workers (Plant Manager, plant supervision and plant workers) whom are all responsible for ensuring good operations.
• Organized, planning skills, able to manage multiple activities and programs in timely fashion and with a high degree of accuracy, able to meet work deadlines. 
• Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills. 
• Accomplished public speaker, able to create and deliver industry-specific presentations. 
• Computer savvy including Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Access, Project, and PowerPoint. 

• Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Education, Training and Certifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.  A Professional Engineer’s (PE) License is a plus.

Experience:

Senior Engineer, Control Systems: Minimum five (5+) years hands-on experience as a Process Controls and DCS/SIS Engineer. Yokogawa Centum VP and Prosafe systems experience a plus.

Staff Engineer, Control Systems: Minimum of ten (10+) years’ experience as a Control and DCS Engineer. Minimum five (5) years of Recent LNG experience is preferred.  Petrochemical, NGL, cryogenic natural gas processing, or other hydrocarbon processing experience is a plus.

DIRECT REPORTS

No Direct Reports

FREEDOM TO ACT

Ability to multi-task and function in a highly dynamic atmosphere; must exercise discretion independently. 

WORK CONDITIONS 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, work at height above ground on stairs and catwalks, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear, smell, type and write.

• Must be able to board a ship via a gangway, climb to the top of a tank (200+ steps), scale vertical steel ladder up to forty feet or more in height, and lift and move objects weighting up to 50 pounds.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work indoors and outdoors, and exposed to year around weather conditions, ocean environment, noise, and occasionally process gases and vapors. There is a considerable number of outdoor activities involved.

• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing, per applicable federal regulations or as required by Cheniere.

• Could be required to pass regularly scheduled physical examinations mandated by regulatory authorities.

• Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status.

ADA JOB REQUIREMENTS

Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical or mental disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cheniere Energy is an equal opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.