IEC&A Specialist

1. ROLE PURPOSE

The Instrumentation, Electrical, Controls, and Analyzer (IEC&A) Specialist is responsible for the technical integrity, functionality, and reliability of all industrial automation systems, instrumentation, control systems, low-, medium-, and high-voltage electrical systems, and analyzers at the plant. This role provides subject matter expertise for troubleshooting, control system programming, maintenance and design, OT network system reliability and cybersecurity, and capital project integration. The IEC&A Specialist supports Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and external contractors with high-level troubleshooting and diagnostics, design, configuration, and system optimization tasks. The position is also responsible for managing lifecycle asset documentation and ensuring all IEC&A systems are effectively captured in both the CMMS and document control system while being controlled through the MOC process.

2. TECHNICAL SCOPE

Critical Systems and Equipment Supported

• DCS platform – Emerson DeltaV (CHARMs)
• PLCs – Allen Bradley and Triconex
• Instrumentation:
• Pressure – Yokogawa EJA/EJX gauge and dP, Rosemount 3051 gauge and dP.
• Level – Yokogawa dP, Vega Radars (non-contact and guided wave), Magnetrol magentostrictive.
• Temperature – Yokogawa and Endress-Hauser transmitters, thermocouples, and RTDs.
• Flow – Micromotion coriolis, Emerson mag meters, Yokogawa dP flow, Yokogawa vortex, Endress clamp-on ultrasonic, Krohne ultrasonic.
• Electrical Systems: low-voltage (<600V), medium-voltage (up to 15kV), high-voltage (138kV) distribution systems including UPS, breakers, MCCs, and power monitoring relays.
• Analyzers: ABB PGC5000 GCs, O2/pH/conductivity/turbidity, TOC/Sodium/Silica, refractometers, moisture, and continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).
• Industrial communication networks (HART, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, OPC).
• SCADA system integrations, pipeline skids, metering systems, and remote telemetry units (RTUs).
• Cybersecurity architecture for ICS/OT, including firewalls, software patching, and vulnerability scanning tools.
• Control cabinet design, documentation, and drawing redlines (loop diagrams, wiring schematics, interlocks).
• Bosch CCTV and Access control systems.
• Alertus PAGA

3. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Safety, Regulatory, and Cybersecurity Compliance

• Ensure all IEC&A work follows NFPA 70/E, NEC, OSHA, API, IEEE, ISA, NETA, NERC and site-specific electrical safety and cybersecurity protocols.
• Lead the development and execution of OT cybersecurity audits, patch updates, password policies, and firewall configurations.
• Support HAZOPs, PSSRs, and PHAs by providing instrumentation, electrical, controls, and analytical expertise and ensuring MOC protocol compliance.
• Perform sitewide ICS/OT vulnerability assessments and track remediation in collaboration with site management.
• Lead incident investigations involving instrumentation, control failures, electrical events, or analyzer malfunctions.

B. CMMS Oversight – Fluke eMaint

• Ensure all IEC&A assets are captured accurately in Fluke eMaint with complete BOMs, hierarchy, and PM strategies.
• Perform quality control audits for closure of automation work orders with detailed root cause descriptions and labor tracking.
• Collaborate with planner/schedulers to develop job plans and preventive strategies for IEC&A systems.
• Monitor failure trends and trigger RCAs for recurring or critical IEC&A issues.
• Ensure timely documentation and asset updates in the CMMS following installation, commissioning, or other changes.

C. Maintenance Execution and Technical Leadership

• Serve as SME for troubleshooting and diagnostics on PLC/DCS systems, analyzers, field instrumentation, and electrical devices.
• Validate instrument loop calibration, interlock verification, and logic override procedures.
• Support critical bypassing of instruments during maintenance while ensuring risk mitigation and proper documentation.
• Provide guidance to I&E technicians and contractors to ensure installation quality, loop integrity, and safe startup procedures.
• Support 24/7 callouts and remote access support for automation systems as needed.

D. Turnarounds, Unit Shutdowns, and Capital Project Support

• Own the IEC&A scope for turnarounds.
• Validate control system readiness: FAT/SAT sign-off, program backups, redline updates, and commissioning documentation.
• Coordinate loop check, SIS proof testing, and analyzer baseline verification before startup.
• Support engineering and project management teams with IEC&A specifications and contractor oversight.
• Ensure documentation and asset records are updated post-project, including drawing redlines, firmware versions, and logic backups.

E. Troubleshooting and Reliability Focus

• Support troubleshooting of control loops, analyzer faults, PLC/DCS alarms, and critical instrumentation failures.
• Use historian, trending, and control diagnostics tools to identify failure modes and recommend long-term fixes.
• Recommend design changes, equipment upgrades, or reprogramming to improve system reliability and plant stability.
• Participate in bad actor reviews, root cause analysis teams, and continuous improvement projects.
• Lead reliability initiatives such as sensor standardization, signal diagnostics, and analyzer management systems.

F. Training and Competency Management

• Provide on-the-job training and mentoring for IE&A technicians.
• Lead or support vendor training for new control system platforms, analyzer systems, instrumentation, electrical devices, or OT network updates.
• Ensure contractors and new hires are trained on company-specific IEC&A standards and documentation protocols.
• Maintain awareness of evolving best practices and share updates through toolbox talks or training sessions.

G. Cross-functional Support and Engineering Collaboration

• Participate in daily maintenance/operations coordination meetings and provide input on instrumentation/control availability.
• Support engineering, capital projects, and process safety teams with loop tuning, alarm rationalization, and DCS/PLC/SIS configuration.
• Assist Planning and Scheduling with estimating, prioritizing, and preparing automation work scopes.
• Provide technical review of contractor IEC&A drawing packages.
• Review and approve control system MOCs, participate in audits, and ensure alignment with facility technical standards.

4. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Required:

• 10+ years of experience with instrumentation, electrical, controls, and analyzers in refining or chemical plant environments.
• Proficiency with logic, graphics, and hardware for DCS and PLC platforms (e.g., DeltaV and Allen-Bradley).
• Experience programming and working with Modbus communication between PLCs, DeltaV, and standalone controllers.
• Experience installing, configuring, and troubleshooting SIS systems and devices.
• Experience with OT network system installation and configuration.
• Strong knowledge of low voltage, 480VAC and below, electrical systems and the ability to troubleshoot complex circuits.
• Experience programming, installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting VFDs.
• Strong working knowledge of PSM, MOC processes, and technical documentation standards.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation Engineering or related field.
• ISA certifications (CAP, CCST), cybersecurity certifications (e.g., GICSP, CISSP-ICS), or SIS functional safety credentials.
• Experience integrating CMMS systems (e.g., Fluke eMaint) with instrumentation and automation assets.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ISA 84, IEC 61511, API RP 1165, NFPA 70E, and IEEE standards.
• Understanding of cybersecurity practices related to ICS/SCADA systems, including patching, firewall configuration, and access control.
• Experience with medium (4.16kVAC & 13.8kVAC) and high (138kV) voltage electrical distribution systems, with the ability to troubleshoot and diagnose issues using test equipment.
• Multi-year Allen Bradley Studio 5000 programming experience with the capability to support and design logic for the site’s PLCs.
• Deep knowledge of Modbus communication.
• Experience with pipeline custody transfer, including OMNI flow controllers.
• Capability to independently support capital projects from inception to completion.