Job Description
Process Controls Engineer
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Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Area (On-Site)
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Industry: Biotechnology / Fermentation Manufacturing / Process Manufacturing
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Employment Type: Full-Time
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About the Opportunity
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A rapidly growing biotechnology and fermentation-based manufacturing organization is seeking a Process Controls Engineer to support plant automation, process controls, instrumentation, and manufacturing optimization initiatives across production operations.
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This position plays a critical role in maintaining, troubleshooting, optimizing, and expanding the automation infrastructure that supports fermentation, downstream processing, drying, blending, and manufacturing operations. The successful candidate will work closely with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and R&D teams to improve reliability, increase uptime, optimize process performance, and support new equipment implementation.
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This is a highly hands-on position ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with automated manufacturing systems, troubleshooting controls issues, supporting capital projects, and driving continuous improvement through automation and process optimization.
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Position Responsibilities
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Automation & Process Controls
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- Maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems supporting manufacturing operations.
- Modify, test, and document PLC control logic and operator interfaces.
- Support industrial instrumentation including flow, pressure, temperature, level, and pH measurement systems.
- Troubleshoot automation, controls, electrical, and equipment-related performance issues.
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Manufacturing Support
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- Partner with Operations and Maintenance to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability.
- Support troubleshooting efforts and implement process control improvements.
- Analyze process trends and production data to identify optimization opportunities.
- Assist with root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
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Project Execution & Commissioning
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- Support startup, commissioning, and validation of new equipment and automation systems.
- Participate in automation upgrades, system integration projects, and process improvements.
- Coordinate activities with outside contractors, system integrators, and vendors.
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Controls Documentation
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- Create and maintain:
- P&IDs
- Logic Diagrams
- Control Narratives
- Network Diagrams
- Equipment Lists
- I/O Documentation
- Ensure documentation remains accurate and current.
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Data & Networking
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- Support industrial networking and communications systems.
- Develop data collection and reporting solutions utilizing automation systems and databases.
- Integrate equipment into manufacturing networks for data collection, visibility, and process control.
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Qualifications
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Required
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- Bachelor's Degree in:
- Electrical Engineering
- Automation Engineering
- Controls Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Related Technical Discipline
- 0–5 years of experience supporting automation, controls, instrumentation, or manufacturing systems.
- Experience working with PLCs, HMIs, and industrial instrumentation.
- Ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and process control systems.
- Ability to read and interpret:
- P&IDs
- Electrical Schematics
- Control Diagrams
- Technical Documentation
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Preferred
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- Experience in:
- Fermentation
- Biotechnology
- Food Manufacturing
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Allen-Bradley, Siemens, ABB, or similar PLC platforms.
- FactoryTalk, AVEVA, Wonderware, or SCADA experience.
- Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profibus, or industrial networking experience.
- SQL, historians, or manufacturing data systems experience.
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What Success Looks Like
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- Improved equipment reliability and uptime.
- Successful commissioning of automation projects.
- Reduced recurring controls and instrumentation issues.
- Improved process stability, throughput, and yield.
- Strong collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and R&D.
- Well-documented and sustainable automation solutions.
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