Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Position Title: Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Location: Menlo Park, CA Employment Type: Full-time, On-siteAbout the CompanyOur client is a plastic circularity startup operating at the intersection of chemistry, material science, and engineering. We are seeking a seasoned and highly competent Instrumentation and Process Controls Engineer to support both labpilot and commercial-scale activities. The ideal candidate will have extensive hands-on experience building, operating, and testing scale-down systems, using LOPA to select appropriate process control schemes, working with EPC firms, and contributing to front-end engineering and design (FEED) deliverables.Key ResponsibilitiesInstrumentation & Controls:Design, implement, and validate instrumented process control schemes to ensure efficiency, reliability, and safety at lab, pilot, and commercial scales.Specify, select, and size instrumentation and equipment (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow, and level instruments), control valves, onoff valves, in compliance with industry codes and standardsPrepare and maintain P&IDs, instrumentation data sheets, IO lists, loop diagrams, functional design specifications (FDS), Alarm objective analysis, and logic tegrate control systems (DCSPLCSIS) and design instrumented safeguards in accordance with SIL standards.Implement pilot and lab-scale control schemes to test and refine proposed control designs prior to full-scale deployment.Work with EPC firms and third-party vendors to troubleshoot control-related issues, enhance system performance, and ensure seamless scale-up from pilot to demonstration and commercial operations.FEED and Scale-up Support:Collaborate with process and scale-up engineers to develop FEED deliverables and ensure robust integration of I&C plete layers of protection analysis (LOPA), make design recommendations, and implement necessary mitigative measures into SIS systems.Participate in safety and risk mitigation studies (e.g., HAZOP) to ensure instrumentation and controls support safe and reliable operation.Contribute to procurement efforts by evaluating vendor bids and reviewing instrumentation and control system documentation.Provide hands-on support for process optimization activities and assist with technology transfer from lab and pilot to commercial-scale facilities.Other Responsibilities:Support andor lead process de-risking studies with external vendors, or with internal scale-up terface with multidisciplinary teams including process engineers, scale-up scientists, operations personnel, and external EPCs to achieve project objectives.Maintain strong communication with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure project timelines, quality, and budget targets are met.Occasionally , this role may need to travel domestically and internationally to support tolling vendor studies, plant startups.QualificationsRequired:BSMS in Chemical Engineering or related field.8+ years of experience in process control or instrumentation engineering within chemical, petroleum, or heavy industrial settings.Demonstrated experience implementing control schemes across various control system architectures (DCS, PLC, SIS, etc.) and integrating them into existing process operations.Demonstrated experience in LOPA and maintaining SIS systems.Demonstrated experience in independently designing, configuring, and testing control schemes in commercial, pilot settings.Demonstrated experience in commissioning control systems, and SIS.Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities for effective collaboration with diverse teams and external stakeholders.Preferred:Professional Engineering License (PE).Experience with implementing lab scale automation systems such as LabViewlab, or PLCs and programming their control schemes (Python, C++, or equivalent).Experience with scale-up activities, from lab and pilot through FEED and commercial implementation.Proven knowledge of safety requirements for operations with high-hazard chemicals.Prior experience with process development is an assetPrevious experience in technology scale-up and working with EPC firms on complex industrial projects.Berkner Group has been retained to execute this search. If you were contacted by Berkner Group, please reply to the person who contacted you. If you are applying to a job posting, please email your resume and a brief introduction to . Please include your name and the title for this position ([Your name] - Instrumentation & Controls Engineer - L8VXW96V) in the subject line of your email. We look forward to hearing from you!

Created: 2025-02-08