Senior Control Systems Engineer – Petrochemicals

About the role

We are looking for a Senior Control Systems Engineer to join BASF’s Petrochemicals team in Freeport, TX. You will be responsible for ensuring the control systems of the Acrylic Acid units operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while driving continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead configuration, preventive maintenance, hardware/software support, and overall administration of all control systems within the Acrylic Acid units.
• Program HMI, DCS, and safety PLCs using function block diagrams, ladder logic, and sequential function charts.
• Troubleshoot, tune, and optimize PID control loops; conduct root‑cause failure analyses and implement corrective actions.
• Support capital and maintenance projects through design, implementation, and commissioning, acting as Manufacturing Representative or MOC Coordinator when required.
• Develop long‑term control system lifecycle plans in collaboration with Operations and Asset Management.
• Maintain detailed logic drawings and system configurations for troubleshooting, audits, and lifecycle planning.
• Track total cost of ownership, monitor failures, manage maintenance contracts, and coordinate software upgrades with vendors.
• Participate in peer groups with other Control Systems Engineers to share best practices.

Required profile

• Senior‑level experience in control systems engineering within a petrochemical or chemical manufacturing environment.
• Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate with Operations, Technology, and Maintenance teams.
• Strong analytical skills for root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement.

Required skills

• HMI programming
• DCS configuration
• Safety PLC programming
• Function Block Diagram (FBD)
• Ladder Logic
• Sequential Function Chart (SFC)
• PID control loop tuning
• Root‑cause failure analysis
• Control system lifecycle management
• Automation asset maintenance

What we offer

• Competitive compensation package
• Annual bonus