DCS Operator📣 Job Ad

About the Role

Air Products is seeking a skilled DCS Operator to join our team in Eastern, Saudi Arabia, specifically in Al Jubail. This full-time position involves operating and monitoring complex industrial gas production facilities, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operations to meet customer demands.

Key Responsibilities

The DCS Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of a Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) based hydrogen plant, including CO2 removal and compression, PSA with tail gas compression, and membrane units. This role requires constant monitoring of all process variables via the Distributed Control System (DCS) to ensure they remain within defined operating limits. The operator will manipulate control loops, setpoints, and cascades to maintain stable operations across integrated units. Responsibilities also include executing detailed start-up sequences for plant units, communicating instructions to field operators, and liaising with maintenance teams for equipment preparation and return to service. Accurate logging of operating parameters and production data is critical, as is identifying the root cause of process deviations and equipment malfunctions, collaborating with engineers on solutions.

Furthermore, the role involves operating the pipeline network to supply Hydrogen, steam, and CO2 to customers safely and efficiently. Reporting production progress and plant status to the Shift Supervisor, suggesting solutions for shortfalls, and managing plant production to meet safety, reliability, and profitability targets are key duties. The operator must ensure compliance with BHIG standards, global best practices for EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and customer service. Maintaining strong customer relationships and communications to satisfy demand while maximizing facility efficiency and profitability is essential. This includes regular communication with customer counterparts to align expectations for current and future product demand.

Safety, Health, and Environment

• Maintain a safe and stable operating environment, demonstrating leadership in all company and industry safe work processes to prevent injuries.
• Enforce and adhere to all Safe Work Permits, Lock-out Tag-out, and Management of Change procedures.
• Act as the first line of response for process emergencies, executing emergency operating procedures, initiating plant trips if necessary, and directing field operators.
• Monitor the status of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and Fire & Gas Systems, understanding cause and effect charts for all safety interlocks.
• Ensure all plant emissions comply with environmental permits and properly manage waste streams.
• Utilize the BHIG Basic Safety Practice program to ensure the safety of all operations personnel.

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations is preferred, with 10 years of experience. An Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate) will be considered based on experience and competence.
• A minimum of 5 years of lead DCS operations experience in an SMR-based Hydrogen, Ammonia, Methanol, or Syngas plant as a DCS Operator is required.
• Proficiency with DCS platforms such as Yokogawa Centum VP or Siemens PCS 7.
• Deep understanding of Chemical Engineering Principles, thermodynamics, and process control.
• Wide technical knowledge in operations, engineering, and maintenance activities.
• Ability to maintain a high level of awareness and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong problem-solving and diagnostic abilities.
• Clear, concise, and effective verbal and written communication skills in English, with the ability to communicate with customers at the board level daily and between operations and maintenance teams.
• A strong commitment to employee involvement, team building, and diversity.

Work Environment and Location

This is a full-time position located in Al Jubail, Eastern Saudi Arabia. The role involves working within a team environment focused on industrial gas production and supply, requiring close collaboration with field operators, engineers, and maintenance personnel.