Engineer, Process Control - Metallurgy
Job Description
Position Overview
Discover a Brighter Future. At South32, we're meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing the commodities critical for a low-carbon world. As a collaborative, caring, and inclusive company, South32 is a place where you can make a genuine difference while learning, growing, and succeeding every step of your career path.
The Hermosa Taylor Project – located approximately 75 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona – is the only advanced mining project in the United States as of 2023 that could produce two federally designated critical minerals (manganese and zinc) along with silver and lead. This project holds the potential to help power the nation's clean energy future, strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, grow the local economy, and improve lives for generations.
Key Responsibilities
- Review engineering documentation for accuracy and completeness.
- Ensure that vendor data for mechanical equipment aligns with the Process Design Criteria, Basis of Design, and mass and energy balance.
- Assist with the design, implementation, and maintenance of process control systems to optimize operations and ensure safety.
- Direct and develop the design, implementation, and maintenance of process control systems for optimal plant performance.
- Configure and maintain Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI).
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with process control systems and instrumentation.
- Optimize control loops and strategies to improve plant efficiency and yield.
- Develop and maintain control system documentation, including P&IDs, control narratives, and loop sheets.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for control system performance.
- Stay updated on process control technologies and industry best practices.
- Assist in the commissioning and startup of new process units.
- Implement and maintain alarm management systems.
- Work with vendors on control system hardware and software.
- Provide field support for processing plant construction.
- Provide training and support to operations and maintenance personnel.
- Review processing plant design to ensure safety, operability, and maintainability.
- Participate in South32 health and safety programs.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years of experience working in the mining industry within an operating processing plant.
- 5+ years of experience in process control engineering (preferred).
- Demonstrated commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
- Knowledge of Industry Standards (ISA, IEC, ISO, NFPA, MSHA, OSHA, etc.).
- Proficiency with P&IDs and control loop diagrams.
- PLC Programming experience (e.g., Allen-Bradley, DeltaV).
- SCADA/HMI Development skills (e.g., Wonderware, Ignition, GE iFIX).
- Experience with Distributed Control Systems (e.g., Emerson DeltaV, ABB).
- Familiarity with industrial networking and communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, OPC, Ethernet/IP).
- Experience with DCS migrations and multiple vendor systems (ABB, Honeywell, Emerson, or Rockwell).
- Automation experience (preferred).
- Experience with Advanced Process Control (APC) tools such as Model Predictive Control (MPC), fuzzy logic, and adaptive control (preferred).
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques.
- Exceptional organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team.
South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Benefits & Perks
- Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business.
- When you choose to contribute more to your retirement savings, South32 will match it up to a certain percentage.
- South32 provides you with 4 weeks of paid time off.
- 12 weeks of full-paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks for secondary carers.