Hydrite

Controls Engineer

Hydrite  •  Waterloo, IA (Onsite)  •  14 days ago
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Job Description

WHO WE ARE

We are a company where people matter

We are family driven

We are financially strong

And we are looking for problem-solvers to join our growing team.

BENEFITS

  • Up to 10% Retirement Contribution
  • $600 per Year Wellness Incentive
  • Front-loaded Paid Time Off
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision - Eligible f irst day of the month following hire date.

JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - https://www.youtube.com/watch-v=7nlFHnnfvhk

CONTROLS ENGINEER

The Controls Engineer is an individual contributor responsible for evaluating, designing, programming, commissioning, and sustaining Hydrite’s control systems (PLC/DCS/HMI) and related instrumentation. This role executes standards, implements changes through the MOC process, maintains Maximo PM/calibration plans, and ensures reliable data collection and historian integrations to support safe and efficient operations across assigned facilities.

Primary responsibilities include:

  • Lead and support Hydrite’s safety vision, mission, and values by promoting safe work practices across all controls, instrumentation, and contractor activities.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and standards (including PSM, RMP, and MOC requirements) through collaboration with SQRA and other regulatory stakeholders.
  • Evaluate, design, program, install, test, commission, and sustain plant control systems (primarily Delta V but can include PLC, SCADA, HMI) and associated instrumentation.
  • Maintain the functional integrity and lifecycle reliability of control systems through troubleshooting, hardware/software updates, backups, calibration, and preventive maintenance execution.
  • Execute control system changes in accordance with the controls Management of Change (MOC) process, including audits to verify compliance.
  • Develop, maintain, and enforce control system standards, procedures, practices, security requirements, and engineering documentation across facilities.
  • Program, test, and commission control system changes, including loop tuning, control optimization, interlock testing, alarm rationalization, FAT/SAT, startup, and operational handover.
  • Provide controls engineering support for capital projects, including procurement support, system configuration, commissioning, and startup of new systems or equipment.
  • Own execution plans and technical quality for assigned controls and automation projects.
  • Develop, maintain, and standardize DeltaV and PLC configurations, programming practices, I/O lists, cabinet drawings, and related documentation.
  • Support and expand plant automation capabilities to improve process reliability, operational efficiency, and production performance.
  • Configure, maintain, and expand data historians and data collection systems to ensure data quality, tagging standards, accessibility, and business value.
  • Improve access, visualization, and presentation of control system and process data to support operations, engineering, compliance, and management decision-making.
  • Execute, manage, and support preventive maintenance and calibration programs within Maximo, including development of job plans aligned with SOPs.
  • Support small-scale and stand-alone control systems (e.g., skid-mounted PLC/HMI systems) while ensuring cybersecurity, backup, and recovery practices.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for control systems, instrumentation, and plant data systems.
  • Provide technical support, guidance, and training to operations, maintenance, and engineering personnel on control system usage and standards.
  • Develop and maintain training materials and conduct training for control systems, instrumentation, and data collection platforms.
  • Mentor technicians and junior engineers and share knowledge across sites and engineering disciplines.
  • Collaborate with electrical, instrumentation, IT/OT, and engineering teams to support industrial networks, servers, and control system security.
  • Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve plant automation, information systems, KPIs, and technology adoption and present recommendations to management.
  • Ensure control system documentation (P&IDs, loop diagrams, cabinet drawings, I/O lists) remains accurate and up to date.
  • Uphold Hydrite’s Standard of Excellence by supporting quality systems, effective communication, and continuous improvement across facilities.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

  • This position reports to the Engineering, Automation, and Controls Manager.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE

  • A Bachler’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline required
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience with instrumentation and control systems
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience interfacing with contractors
  • Strong computer skills and knowledge of Power Point, Word, and Excel required
  • Must have communication and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to read, write and speak English

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Ability to sit and/or stand up to 10 hours per day.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. on an occasional basis.
  • Ability to climb ladders and work at heights up to 40 feet on occasion.
  • Ability to travel overnight, ride in a car and/or plane for up to 6 hrs and travel 25% of time.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Benefits and perks include 401k and profit sharing, medical/dental/vision/life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, adoption assistance, legal services insurance, scholarship awards for children of employees, summer picnic, community giving events, free family wellness coaching including nutritionist and fitness coach.

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Learn more about Hydrite on our website: www.hydrite.com/careers

Privacy Notice for California Residents: https://www.hydrite.com/Legal/Privacy-Notice-for-Employees.htm

Hydrite

About Hydrite

At Hydrite we are family driven, financially strong, and looking for problem solvers to join our growing team.

🧪 What we do:

Hydrite is one of the largest independent providers of chemicals and related services in the United States. In other words: we make and supply chemistries that make your food and beverages safer and more flavorful, your water cleaner, your manufacturing line more efficient, and your crops healthier.

🏆 How Hydrite stands out:

-34th Annual Winner of the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year

-Seven-time winner of the Top Workplaces Award

-Gold designation as a Well Workplace award recipient from WELCOA

-No. 10 on the 12th Annual ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors List

-Ranked on the Deloitte Wisconsin 75 list 17 times

-Record-breaking safety performance

-Privately-held, family-owned company for 95+ years

💬 What employees say about Hydrite:

“The owners truly care about the employees and their families, despite significant growth. This type of environment is becoming more rare. I feel blessed to be part of the success of the organization.”

“Strong family values and great benefits.”

“Everyone cares about everyone else, from the lowest to highest positions in the company.”

🤝 How Hydrite gives back:

Hydrite has a long history of supporting the communities in which we operate through charitable giving. Our culture fosters and facilitates community engagement by our people in both their personal and professional capacities. This includes our Hydrite Helps community engagement program, which has driven thousands of volunteer time and major financial support to local nonprofits in the areas of children’s needs & development, education, environment, and local needs. More on how we give back: https://www.hydrite.com/Community-Giving.htm

We’d love to have you join the team! Learn more about working for Hydrite: https://www.hydrite.com/careers.htm

Industry
Chemicals & Materials
Company Size
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Year Founded
1929
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