Staff Engineer - Process Control
Description
Energy Transfer Partners is a master limited partnership that owns and operates one of the largest and most diversified portfolios of energy assets in the United States. In total, the Company owns and operates approximately 62,500 miles of natural gas, crude oil, refined products, and natural gas liquids pipelines, terminals, and acquisition and marketing assets which are used to facilitate the purchase and sale of crude oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids, and refined products.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Controls Engineer will provide day-to-day support of the site DCS and PLC control systems and process control network. The position will also support maintenance and capital projects including oversight, commissioning, and start-up of new facilities.
- Provide technical assistance with troubleshooting, optimization, design, configuration, and programming of process control systems essential to terminal and pipeline operations.
- Maintain protection of the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers, and the community in which we operate.
- Configure, install, and maintain Delta V DCS, and PLCs. This includes operational reports generated by the DCS.
- Create logic programming from control narratives/functional specifications.
- Work with maintenance and operations daily to ensure operational reliability of the site.
- Monitor the facility’s DCS operations and performance, provide technical support and troubleshooting and facilitate the development of programs for improvement.
- Oversee the field construction, verification of proper installation, performance of loop checks and the oversight of final commissioning of DCS/PLC equipment associated with maintenance or capital projects.
- Define spare parts and preventative maintenance requirements for DCS and related components.
- Communicate and maintain proper documentation related to the DCS system status, changes, and coordinate/conduct personnel training for such related items as necessary.
- Conduct failure mode analyses to identify units posing excessive failure risks and support proposed changes in design.
- Recommend, maintain, and engineer modifications to system hardware and software. Participate in system selection and management.
- Keep current on all equipment modifications, software revisions, and future direction of the process control industry.
- Ensure Process Safety and Risk Management objectives are practiced daily through participation in Management of Change, Process Hazards Analysis, LOPA, and Pre-Startup Safety Review responsibilities.
- Work with Operational Technology (OT) staff to ensure reliability of the plant process control network (hardware & software) including servers, firewalls, switches, routers, workstations, etc. Ensure that corporate IT and cybersecurity policies and guidelines are followed.
Minimum Requirements:
- BS degree in Engineering from accredited university with a minimum of 10 years industry experience including 3 or more years DCS programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining DCS equipment experience highly desired, preferably Delta V.
- Knowledge and experience with control network protocols including Ethernet/IP, and Modbus. DCS experience developing basic process & advanced process control systems, graphics development and Historian management.
- Knowledge and experience with PLC programming and hardware configuration.
- Familiarity with local and wide area networking concepts including network topologies, switch configuration and network security concepts. Requires ability to manage software revisions, site licensing, and support agreements.
- Knowledge of process manufacturing field instrumentation & technology.
- Self-motivated individual with a high level of initiative.
- Position requires the ability to balance multiple projects/tasks simultaneously, the ability to prioritize tasks, and the ability to shift established priorities in response to changing business needs.
- Proactively initiates, develops, and maintains effective working relationships. Ability to function effectively in a team environment.
- Competent with personal computer applications (Microsoft Office, etc.).
- Knowledge of industry safety practices.
Knowledgeable of process control network topology and maintenance requirements. - The individual must be detail-oriented with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills and be willing to learn.
- High proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
- Experience working with the Windows operating system and system administration.
- The individual must possess excellent communication skills (verbal and written) and organizational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work as part of a team.
Preferred Skills or Experience:
- Experience with Delta V DCS systems and Rockwell PlantPLC systems, HMI interface software & hardware, SCADA interface, Capstone dataPARC.
- Familiar with SAP.
- Experience in LPG, refrigeration, and pipeline environment
- Knowledge or awareness of relevant industry best practices, codes, and regulations (ex. API, DOT, ISA, PHMSA, PSM, NFPA, NEC).
- The Engineer level requires a Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline and 3-6 years of relevant work experience.
- The Sr Engineer level requires a Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline and 6-10 years of relevant work experience.
- The Staff Engineer level requires a Bachelor's degree in an Engineering discipline and 10+ years of relevant work experience.
Working Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Driving, walking, and standing frequently.
- Exposure to adverse weather, cramped conditions, and some heavy lifting
- Visits to industrial/manufacturing settings, which may include exposure to various materials and chemicals, as well as extreme temperature conditions and loud machinery, and require appropriate personal protective equipment.
Special Considerations:
- Ability to work weekends, holidays and respond to callouts on a non-routine basis.
- Ability to work extended periods during turnarounds or commissioning activities.
- Physical requirements – Must be able to lift 40 lbs., climb ladders and stairs. Walking, bending, stooping is required. Must be able to wear personal protective equipment including the use of a respirator. Must be able to respond to visual and audible.
An equal opportunity employer/disability/vet
Energy Transfer is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
The nature and frequency of the above working conditions and requirements may vary depending on individual operational circumstances. Where feasible, the Partnership will make reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the job.
DISCLAIMER: The statements listed in this job posting, which are subject to change, are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.