Kern Energy CA
Join the Controls Engineer role at Kern Energy CA. This position supports and enhances the refinery’s process control and automation systems, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant refinery operations.
Base pay range $110,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr
Responsibilities
Program and configure Distributed Control Systems (DCS) including Foxboro IA and Triconex SIS platforms; build and modify graphic displays, control strategies, interlocks, and alarm logic.
Perform control configuration changes, develop new control schemes, and tune loops to improve refinery unit performance and reliability.
Provide support for Advanced Process Controls (APC) including multivariable control and model predictive control applications (e.g., DMC or equivalent).
Identify and implement new process control technologies and optimization strategies to enhance unit profitability and reduce variability.
Support PLC programming, configuration, and troubleshooting where required.
Perform system maintenance, including diagnostics, preventive maintenance, upgrades, and unscheduled repairs.
Lead or support field installation, loop checks, construction, commissioning, and system testing activities for capital and expense projects.
Develop and execute safety shutdown system test procedures in compliance with refinery safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
Educate and support operations personnel on the function and benefits of unit process controls.
Monitor control loop performance and proactively tune or adjust loops as necessary to maintain optimal performance.
Participate in on-call rotation and support emergency DCS troubleshooting on a 24/7 basis as needed.
Ensure that all control system work complies with Process Safety Management (PSM) procedures and follows all refinery safe work practices.
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including operations, process engineering, maintenance, and IT—to support plant operations and project implementation.
Perform alarm rationalization and support abnormal situation management practices.
Maintain and update technical documentation such as P&IDs, loop drawings, control narratives, and I/O lists.
Maintain high standards of professional growth, personal performance, and attendance, actively contributing to team goals and upholding company values.
Foster effective, trust‑based relationships with peers and other departments to drive a collaborative work environment.
Knowledge Skills
Strong knowledge of Foxboro IA DCS system and Triconex SIS is preferred.
Familiarity with foreign device interfaces, instrumentation, field wiring practices, and troubleshooting of control systems.
Working knowledge of foreign device interfaces, PLCs, instrumentation, field wiring practices, and troubleshooting is preferred or required.
Education / Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Minimum 5 years of experience with DCS and/or PLC programming in an industrial process environment (refinery or chemical plant preferred).
Experience with Advanced Process Control systems (preferably DMC) highly desirable.
Experience with alarm management tools, control loop tuning, and abnormal situation management.
Proficient in interpreting P&IDs, instrument loop diagrams, and developing DCS graphic displays.
Valid U.S. Driver’s License with the ability to be insured under Kern’s vehicle insurance policy.
Employment type Full‑time
Seniority level Not Applicable
Kern Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Benefits
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Pension plan
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Base pay range $110,000.00/yr - $150,000.00/yr
Responsibilities
Program and configure Distributed Control Systems (DCS) including Foxboro IA and Triconex SIS platforms; build and modify graphic displays, control strategies, interlocks, and alarm logic.
Perform control configuration changes, develop new control schemes, and tune loops to improve refinery unit performance and reliability.
Provide support for Advanced Process Controls (APC) including multivariable control and model predictive control applications (e.g., DMC or equivalent).
Identify and implement new process control technologies and optimization strategies to enhance unit profitability and reduce variability.
Support PLC programming, configuration, and troubleshooting where required.
Perform system maintenance, including diagnostics, preventive maintenance, upgrades, and unscheduled repairs.
Lead or support field installation, loop checks, construction, commissioning, and system testing activities for capital and expense projects.
Develop and execute safety shutdown system test procedures in compliance with refinery safety protocols and regulatory requirements.
Educate and support operations personnel on the function and benefits of unit process controls.
Monitor control loop performance and proactively tune or adjust loops as necessary to maintain optimal performance.
Participate in on-call rotation and support emergency DCS troubleshooting on a 24/7 basis as needed.
Ensure that all control system work complies with Process Safety Management (PSM) procedures and follows all refinery safe work practices.
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams—including operations, process engineering, maintenance, and IT—to support plant operations and project implementation.
Perform alarm rationalization and support abnormal situation management practices.
Maintain and update technical documentation such as P&IDs, loop drawings, control narratives, and I/O lists.
Maintain high standards of professional growth, personal performance, and attendance, actively contributing to team goals and upholding company values.
Foster effective, trust‑based relationships with peers and other departments to drive a collaborative work environment.
Knowledge Skills
Strong knowledge of Foxboro IA DCS system and Triconex SIS is preferred.
Familiarity with foreign device interfaces, instrumentation, field wiring practices, and troubleshooting of control systems.
Working knowledge of foreign device interfaces, PLCs, instrumentation, field wiring practices, and troubleshooting is preferred or required.
Education / Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
Minimum 5 years of experience with DCS and/or PLC programming in an industrial process environment (refinery or chemical plant preferred).
Experience with Advanced Process Control systems (preferably DMC) highly desirable.
Experience with alarm management tools, control loop tuning, and abnormal situation management.
Proficient in interpreting P&IDs, instrument loop diagrams, and developing DCS graphic displays.
Valid U.S. Driver’s License with the ability to be insured under Kern’s vehicle insurance policy.
Employment type Full‑time
Seniority level Not Applicable
Kern Energy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Benefits
Medical insurance
Vision insurance
401(k)
Pension plan
#J-18808-Ljbffr