Staff Controls & Automation EngineerLydian is hiring for a Staff Controls & Automation Engineer that will design, build, and own a state-of-the-art controls architecture for our novel chemical process. You will begin with designing and implementing a sophisticated, operator-friendly control system on our pilot plant, but your ultimate goal is to enable an automated, remote operation of our plants at every scale.The ideal candidate is intimately familiar with classical control and automation equipment but also possess the skills and experience to push beyond PLCs, and integrate advanced control techniques into a robust and maintainable control system.ResponsibilitiesControl Architecture & System Design Architect the full control stack for pilot ? demo ?
commercial plants, including PLCs, safety PLCs, SCADA/HMI, historian, networking, alarm philosophy, and mode/state logicDefine a clear hierarchy linking base control, supervisory control, and advanced control (state estimation, MPC)Pilot Plant Automation & Implementation Develop structured, modular control logic in PLCs and safety PLCs, including reusable AOIs/function blocks for valves, heaters, compressors, and reactorsOwn interlocks, permissives, fail-safe behavior, alarm logic, and safety instrumented functionsImplement robust state-based control, including state estimators to infer unmeasured internal process variables and stabilize noisy measurementsBuild inferential "soft sensors" for reactor states, product composition, and equipment health. Implement diagnostics and anomaly/fault detectionAdvanced Controls Over time, validate and tune advanced controllers through simulation, staged deployment, and coordinated field commissioningIdentify multivariable, constraint-heavy loops suitable for MPC or other model-based controllers and implement MPC in a suitable environmentLeadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration Work with external software vendors and other team members to build analysis and tuning tools to support R&D campaigns, long-term performance evaluation, and algorithm refinementDevelop simulation or digital-twin models to safely prototype new control strategiesCollaborate with process, mechanical, electrical, and operations teams to translate process requirements into robust, maintainable control logicSupport commissioning, plant bring-up, troubleshooting, and continuous optimizationDrive rigorous version control, documentation, and management-of-change practicesQualificationsBachelor's Degree with 10+ years of experience designing and owning automation systems for continuous chemical or energy processesStrong foundation in control theory, process dynamics, multivariable interactions, and constraint managementPractical experience with state estimation and inferential sensingHands-on deployment of MPC or other model-based controllers on real industrial systemsExpertise with PLC platforms and SCADA/HMI systemsDeep experience with interlocks, permissives, safety logic, shutdowns, and high-temperature/high-pressure/flammable gas systemsAbility to make advanced control practical and easy to understandExperience with thermochemical systems, especially catalytic systemsExperience integrating advanced control with DCS platforms (DeltaV, PCS7, Honeywell Experion, Yokogawa Centum)Familiarity with Python or similar tools for prototyping estimation and control algorithms.Experience in FOAK hardware or fast-moving industrial startup environments where flexibility and autonomy are requiredCompany Culture and BenefitsChallenging, collaborative, and meaningful work and an important voice in company developmentCompetitive salary commensurate with experienceMeaningful equity compensationGenerous PTO and expectation that all employees take significant time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside workExcellent health insurance with 100% of healthcare, vision and dental premiums covered401(k) with company match