Lead Controls Engineer

Company Overview

Founded in 2019, Brimstone developed a breakthrough process to decarbonize cement production, one of the leading drivers of climate change. Our team is now scaling up to refine our process further and to build our first production facilities. We’re assembling an all-star group of sharp, mission-driven, collaborative individuals who take pride in using their diverse skills to contribute to a better world.

If this sounds like you, join us in helping to solve the most urgent, important challenge facing the world today (and have a blast while doing it!).

Job Brief

The Lead Controls Engineer on the Engineering team will be responsible for development of industrial control systems. This includes specification of electrical panels, instrumentation, mechanical and electrical interfaces, PLC/SCADA programming and networking. This position reports to the Director of Engineering Projects. Periodic Travel required to Oakland Office, Vendor facilities for Factory Acceptance Testing.  Initial work location will be in Reno, which will transition to the Reno/Tahoe Industrial Complex or surrounding areas as construction and site improvements commence.  

This role is based in Reno, Nevada and can be worked as an on-site position.

Key Focus Areas of the role may include:

• Build the infrastructure to support an operating plant to allow for the generation of key technology decisions and operational methods.

• Responsible for the development and maintenance of control system equipment including the being responsible for an operating facility as well as design on new installations.

• Preparation and/or review of panel designs for systems of varying size and complexity. 

• Development and specification of servers, OT Networks, SCADA, and PLC systems.

• Create automation to create a system that could run without supervision.

• Troubleshooting equipment in a continuous operating environment, including Motor Starters, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Process Instrumentation (Pressure, Temperature, Flow, etc.), Analytical Instrumentation (pH, ORP, turbidity, conductivity, online gas/liquid analyzers, etc.), and safety devices (gas monitors, fire detectors, Safety Relays).

For this role, we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or Controls Engineering or equivalent 6 years of working experience in controls engineering.

• 8+ years of relevant controls engineering experience in process industries

• Ability to design and implement a safety system using a variety of components up to the equivalent of a SIL 2 installation.

• Troubleshooting capability with controllers, drives, instruments, and electrical equipment.

• Design and development of a SCADA platform (Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk, etc) as a new greenfield build. Immediate input into the specification and development of a license server, historian, graphical user interfaces.

• Design and development of a PLC platform (Siemens, Opto 22, Rockwell, etc) as a new greenfield build for a process plant. Integration of systems of varying manufacturers as required for critical data exchange. 

• Development of small to moderate greenfield control systems (PLC and HMI) in a process environment 

• Specification and review of PLC control panels with components from multiple manufacturers, in both hazardous and industrial environments. 

• Familiarity with various networking protocols and PLC/SCADA programming related languages (ProfiNET, HART, Modbus, TCP/IP, SQL, MQTT, Ladder Logic, Structured text)

• Demonstration of at least one major system integration for a continuously operating process plant.

• Experience with team dynamics, mentoring, and delegation of design work.

• Ability to travel 25% of the time

• Ability to lift general instrumentation up to 20 lbs.

Additional skills that are preferred but not required:

• Instrumentation specification capabilities for mining/metallurgical processes.

• Process analytics development: Key Performance Indicator (KPIs) development and reporting, system performance calculations, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Predictive maintenance analysis. 

• NFPA 70E Certified or able to obtain a certification through a proctored safety program.

• Computer networking and programming beyond the above listed (Javascript, Python, etc)

• Largely self-directed workflow development with a bias towards solution development and action.

Compensation, Benefits, and Perks

• Salary range for this role is $138,000 - 160,000 / year

• Company equity

• 401k retirement plan with 3% company contribution

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents

• Mental health benefits

• Generous paid time off policy

• 12-weeks of parental leave

• A fun, diverse, and talented team focused on making the biggest impact possible on climate change

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Brimstone is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. We seek to build a unique team of individuals and create an environment where all backgrounds and experiences are respected and appreciated. We credit our success to the values that we uphold, and to the different perspectives each team member brings every day.  We would never intentionally discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability status, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal or state law. 

We strive to provide an inclusive candidate experience. If there are any reasonable accommodations that you may need during the interview process, please let us know.