Manager, Automation Projects

Company Overview

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases (CE&IG) is a leading provider of cryogenic pumps, heat exchangers, process systems, turboexpanders, services, and solutions for the LH2, LNG and industrial gases industries. We are a subsidiary of Nikkiso Company Ltd, a leading industrial manufacturer headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with over USD 1.2B in annual revenue, 8,000 + employees worldwide, and publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Job Overview

Lead and develop the Control Engineering function by managing people, resources, technical execution, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement. Provide technical leadership for PLC/DCS/SCADA programming and control system engineering to deliver safe, reliable, cost-effective, and timely solutions aligned with project and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

Essential Functional:

People Leadership

• Lead and develop Control Engineering teams.
• Allocate resources based on project priorities, competencies, and workload.
• Develop technical capabilities, conduct performance reviews, and support career development.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop Control Engineering talent.
• Establish competency and succession plans.

Control Engineering & Technical Capability

• Provide technical leadership for PLC/DCS/SCADA programming and control system engineering (Preferably all Siemens and AB platforms).
• Lead development and review of control logic, sequences, interlocks, permissives, alarms, trips, and equipment controls.
• Review control narratives, functional descriptions, Cause & Effect, I/O lists, and control philosophies.
• Establish and maintain PLC/DCS programming standards, templates, function blocks, and reusable software.
• Ensure proper configuration, documentation, software version control, and backup of control systems.
• Maintain technical depth in PLC/DCS programming while developing broader multidisciplinary capability.

Systems & Multidisciplinary Engineering

• Coordinate Control Engineering with Process, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Instrumentation, and other disciplines.
• Translate process and equipment requirements into control system functionality.
• Manage interfaces with electrical systems, instrumentation, VFDs, packaged equipment, and third-party systems.
• Support system-level design reviews and resolve technical conflicts.

Quality, Safety & Technical Governance

• Establish and maintain Control Engineering standards, procedures, and work instructions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, customer requirements, and company practices.
• Ensure appropriate interlocks, permissives, alarms, trips, and fail-safe functionality.
• Support HAZOP, LOPA, Cause & Effect, and safeguarding activities as applicable.
• Ensure appropriate software review, testing, configuration control, and change management.

Project Execution & Testing

• Plan and prioritize Control Engineering workload and resources.
• Monitor project execution, quality, schedule, and deliverables.
• Lead or support software testing, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Troubleshoot control system issues and provide technical support during project execution and field activities.
• Manage internal and external engineering resources as required.

Vendor & Customer Technical Support

• Define technical requirements for PLC/DCS, control panels, instrumentation, and packaged equipment interfaces.
• Review vendor control system documentation and resolve technical deviations.
• Support customer technical meetings, design reviews, FATs, and commissioning.
• Provide technical input to proposals, estimates, and project planning.

Continuous Improvement & Capability Development

• Standardize programming methodologies, templates, software libraries, and engineering deliverables.
• Improve engineering tools, automation, simulation, and digital engineering practices.
• Capture and implement lessons learned.
• Identify competency gaps and establish training plans.
• Mentor engineers and develop technical specialists and future leaders.

Authorities

• Review and release Control Engineering SOPs, standards, and work instructions.
• Drawing, software, and engineering document checker/reviewer authority.
• Review and approve control engineering deliverables within assigned authority.
• IMS document review and approval.
• Implement applicable administrative and engineering guidelines.

Supervisory Responsibility:

M1 – Team Leader

• Leads para-professional/support Control Engineering personnel.
• Establishes day-to-day objectives and priorities.
• Provides technical guidance and development.

M2 – Team Leader

• Leads professional Control Engineers.
• Plans and prioritizes team activities.
• Ensures quality and timely delivery.
• Develops technical and professional capability.

M3 – Control Engineering Manager

• Manages experienced Control Engineers operating with significant independence.
• Provides technical leadership for PLC/DCS/SCADA engineering and programming.
• Implements short-term functional strategy and manages complex technical issues and risks.
• Manages resources, workload, productivity, and engineering capacity.
• Influences stakeholders beyond the immediate Control Engineering function.
• Drives standardization, continuous improvement, and development of control engineering capabilities.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as laptop computers, photocopiers, and smartphones.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. This would require the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, Automation, or a related engineering discipline, with 10+ years of relevant experience in PLC/DCS/SCADA programming and control system engineering. Experience in the Cryogenic gas industry or industrial gas applications is preferred.
• PLC/DCS Programming: Strong experience in PLC/DCS programming, control logic, sequences, interlocks, permissive, alarms, trips, HMI/SCADA, and control system integration. Experience with Siemens PLC/TIA Portal and PCS 7 and Allend Bradley factory talk view is preferred.
• Control System Engineering: Good understanding of P&IDs, control narratives, Cause & Effect, I/O configuration, instrumentation, VFDs, motors, packaged equipment, and control system architecture.
• Project Execution: Experience in software testing, FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and resolving control system issues in project environments.
• Leadership & Communication: Strong communication and teamwork skills with the ability to lead engineers, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and effectively interact with customers, vendors, and global stakeholders.
• Problem Solving & Initiative: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to take ownership, make technical decisions, and drive issues to resolution.
• Adaptability & Continuous Improvement: Willingness to learn new technologies, take on new challenges, and improve programming standards, engineering processes, and productivity.
• Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail and commitment to software quality, documentation, testing, configuration control, and safe and reliable control system operation.

Other Duties.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.