Process Automation and Controls Engineer

Ascend Elements is revolutionizing the production of lithium-ion battery materials by establishing a clean and sustainable supply chain using recycled feedstock. Its patented Hydro-to-Cathode™ technology directly synthesizes new cathode materials from spent lithium-ion cells more efficiently than traditional methods, resulting in reduced cost, improved performance, and lowered GHG emissions. The results are lower cost, better performance batteries with fewer discarded in landfill, a cleaner manufacturing process, and a truly sustainable closed-loop circular battery economy. Ascend Elements is taking the lithium-ion battery industry to a higher level.

We are currently hiring a Process Automation and Controls Engineer. You will be working with the Company’s core cathode materials remaking technology, including designing, implementing, and maintaining process instrumentation and control equipment at our site in Westborough.

This role will be onsite in Westborough, MA with 50% travel to other AE facilities.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Design and develop control strategies with Process Engineers, Scientists, and Principal Investigators (Project Lead). Includes assisting in selection of process equipment, specifying instrumentation and controls equipment, control panel design, programming, and commissioning.
• Build and implement company control infrastructure and plant control systems to include databases, SCADA, PLC, HMI, OT Network, and vision/motion control.
• Maintain and provide troubleshooting support for commercial production facilities. Includes remote support.
• Support commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting of existing control systems
• Additional responsibilities may include but are not limited to: Design review for future pilot and commercial facilities (P&ID), working with quality in selecting and integrating SPC into automation as needed, and other production data tracking and integration for process control improvements & increasing safety and automation at pilot & production facilities.
• Additional responsibilities may include providing automation support to the commercial production facility in Covington Georgia, as well as design review and commissioning support for future facilities.
• Meet all physical requirement of the positions: walking/standing for extended periods of time, working in both lab and office, travelling in some cases to other Ascend Elements facilities and conference.
• Excellent in both written and oral languages. Summarize data and report project progress regularly.

Education and Other Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. Preferably Chemical, Electrical or Automation.
• At least 3 years’ experience developing automation and controls in hands-on chemical process manufacturing.
• Proficient in programming with ladder logic, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or similar PLC's and HMI's.
• Experience in reviewing P&ID's and working through controls logic with Process Engineers.
• Selecting, commissioning, and installing control systems.
• Troubleshooting of instrumentation, motors, controllers, network systems, and wiring with support of staff electricians and IT as needed.
• Experience with electrical troubleshooting and terminating low voltage controls wiring.
• Knowledge of Databases, Networking, and SCADA's.
• Knowledge of Ethernet/IP, Modbus, HART, and other industrial communication protocols
• Ignition experience a plus
• PlantPAx experience preferred
• DeltaV experience a plus

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Ascend Elements is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.