Principal Advanced Process Control (APC) Design & Support Engineer Memphis, TN, USAReq #2101 Monday, October 28, 2024 At Sylvamo, we’re a team on a mission. Joining us, you’ll be helping to sustain forests and renew ecosystems, while delivering on the promise of paper to educate, communicate and entertain the world. Come grow with us! **PURPOSE:** The **Principal** **Advanced Process Control (APC) Design & Support Engineer** will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing advanced process control solutions to optimize paper and pulp manufacturing processes across Sylvamo’s enterprise mill fleet. This role requires a deep understanding of process control, APC systems, sensors, and measurements, along with strong leadership skills to drive technical development and operational improvements. The engineer will act as a principal expert in guiding cross-functional internal and external teams to ensure process stability, efficiency, and continuous improvement. The role will leverage data analytics, control theory, and simulation models to enhance process performance and achieve business and digital transformation objectives. **WHAT YOU WILL DO:** **Strategy Development and Execution:** + Develop and implement APC strategies to optimize process control and achieve business and digital transformation objectives. + Design and execute advanced process control strategies that enhance process stability, minimize variability, improve yield, reduce energy consumption, and optimize throughput. + Lead the technical development of APC capital projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. + Continuously assess and refine APC strategies to align with evolving business objectives and technological advancements. + Define and manage the contents of service agreements related to APC systems. + Teach and mentor teams across the organization, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. + Travel to mill sites to strategize ongoing sustainability plans for control maintainability. + Develop and implement sustainable systems and products that enhance process performance. + Develop detailed documentation for APC systems and processes. + Provide training to ensure knowledge transfer and operational excellence. + Ensure ongoing alignment to digital transformation strategic approach and execution. **Process Control:** + Lead the sustain and ongoing benefits from advanced process control programs across the mill fleet + Demonstrate strong diagnostic skills to analyze control loop performance, with the ability to identify and implement necessary tuning adjustments. + Proficient in tuning control loops and optimizing the process to meet operational goals. + Ensure seamless integration of Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Quality Control Systems (QCS) with APC solutions. + Understand physical and chemical models used to control the process, with the capability to learn and apply these models. + Conduct experimental trials to validate models and refine control strategies, ensuring models are robust and accurately reflect real-world conditions. + Lead efforts to upgrade, optimize and modernize control systems to improve process accuracy, data collection, and system reliability. + Demonstrate a deep understanding of APC controller architecture, including configuration, tuning, and diagnostics. + Lead initiatives to optimize control algorithms, ensuring they meet or exceed operational performance targets. + Possess a thorough understanding of APC systems with the capability to configure, diagnose, and fine-tune control loops for optimal performance. **Sensors, Measurements and Data:** + Possess a strong understanding of various sensor technologies, measurement principles, and data acquisition systems along with the ability to learn new and unfamiliar systems. + Quickly learn and adapt to new measurement technologies, ensuring they are effectively integrated into the control strategy. + Diagnose and troubleshoot sensor issues, using data analysis, lab testing, and field trials to verify sensor accuracy and reliability. + Diagnose and verify sensor accuracy through analysis, lab testing, or trials **.** + Utilize data analytics to monitor process performance, identify trends, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. + Use statistical methods and machine learning techniques to extract insights from process data and enhance control strategies. + Implement real-time optimization tools to adjust process parameters dynamically, ensuring continuous alignment with operational goals. **Collaboration and Communication:** + Collaborate with a cross-functional, global team to design an enterprise approach to advanced process controls. + Collaborate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other third parties to ensure successful execution and replication of solutions across the enterprise. + Work closely with process engineers, production managers, IT teams, and other stakeholders to ensure successful integration and operation of APC systems. + Engage with external vendors and technology partners to stay abreast of the latest developments in APC and process control technologies. **WHAT YOU WILL NEED:** The essential requirements of the job include: + Master’s degree in Automation Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, or a related field. + Minimum of 25 years of experience in process control and APC, with a strong background in designing and implementing advanced control systems. + Strong paper and pulp industry experience both at or with OEM’s and at a paper manufacturing company. + Led over $100M in process control programs over course of career. + Strong in process modeling, control theory, and optimization techniques. + Strong familiarity with industrial automation systems, SCADA, and PLCs. + Prior leadership experience both directly and indirectly. + Extensive knowledge of DCS and QCS systems, including configuration, maintenance, and optimization. + Advanced skills in process control software and tools such as Valmet, Andritz, Voith or equivalent platforms. + Strong background in data analytics, including the use of machine learning and statistical analysis to enhance control strategies. + Experience with data analytics, machine learning, and industrial automation systems. + Proven ability to lead and manage complex technical projects, from concept through implementation and optimization. + Strong communication and collaboration skills. + Demonstrated capability to mentor and develop technical talent within the organization. + Relevant certifications in process control, automation, or data analytics. **Travel: Occasional travel to manufacturing sites or for professional development may be required.** **Work Environment: This role involves working in both office and manufacturing plant environments.** **COMPETENCIES:** + Caring + Trustworthy + Development-minded + Entrepreneurial + Inclusive & Collaborative + Team-oriented + Agile + Financially Savvy + Operationally Excellent Sylvamo partners with you and your family on your health and wellness journey. We offer a premium suite of health and wellness programs for you and your family, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, and a generous 401(k) plan with matching company contributions, and more. Sylvamo is here for all stages of life. We also offer paid time off and paid holidays per year. The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law. Sylvamo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. **Other details** + Job FamilyTechnology + Job FunctionProduct Development + Pay TypeSalary + Memphis, TN, USA Sylvamo is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.