Control Systems Engineer

Location: Newark, Delaware

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

Title:

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions (STS) provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

KBR is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to support a major project involving the design, construction, and commissioning of a greenfield magnet manufacturing facility. The plant will process raw ore through chemical and thermal processes to extract minerals and metals, convert materials into magnet blocks, and perform downstream finishing operations such as coating, treatment, polishing, and final preparation for end-use applications.

The Control Systems Engineer will play a key role in defining automation requirements, selecting control equipment, integrating systems, and leading commissioning activities to deliver a safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operation.

Functional job responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Control System Design & Engineering

• Define control system requirements for all phases of magnet manufacturing, including ore processing, chemical extraction, thermal treatment, forming, coating, and finishing operations.

• Specify and design PLC, DCS, SCADA, and HMI architectures aligned with KBR and client standards.

• Develop control philosophies, system architectures, I/O lists, cause-and-effect diagrams, and network designs.

• Collaborate with process, mechanical, electrical, and safety engineering teams within the EPC environment.

Equipment Selection & Integration

• Determine automation and instrumentation requirements for processing equipment such as reactors, furnaces, kilns, presses, coating lines, and material handling systems.

• Support equipment selection by evaluating vendor control capabilities and packaged systems.

• Integrate OEM equipment and skid-mounted systems into the plant-wide control system.

Programming & Configuration

• Develop, review, or oversee PLC/DCS logic, interlocks, alarm management strategies, and HMI graphics.

• Configure industrial networks, historians, and interfaces with higher-level systems (MES or plant data systems).

Commissioning & Startup

• Support or lead FATs, SATs, and on-site commissioning activities.

• Commission control systems and instrumentation during startup and ramp-up phases.

• Troubleshoot control, instrumentation, and process issues during commissioning and early operations.

• Support operator training and transition to steady-state operations.

Safety & Reliability

• Implement safety interlocks, permissives, and shutdown logic in coordination with process safety teams.

• Participate in HAZOPs, SIL studies, and risk assessments related to control systems.

• Design systems for long-term reliability, maintainability, and operational flexibility.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, control systems engineering, mechanical engineering, or related discipline.

• 4+ years of experience working as a Control Systems Engineer on EPC projects.

• Strong knowledge of PLC/DCS platforms, industrial instrumentation, and control system networks.

• Experience with chemical processing, thermal processing, minerals, metals, or advanced materials manufacturing.

• Hands-on experience with industrial commissioning and startup.

• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary EPC project team.

• Strong communication, documentation, and problem-solving skills.

• Exposure to safety systems, alarm management, and process automation best practices.

Decarbonization – Energy Transition – Sustainability

KBR Benefits​

KBR offers a selection of competitive lifestyle benefits which could include 401K plan with company match, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, AD&D, flexible spending account, disability, paid time off, or flexible work schedule. We support career advancement through professional training and development.​

Click here to learn more:  KBR Benefits

Belong, Connect and Grow at KBR

At KBR, we are passionate about our people and our Zero Harm culture.  These inform all that we do and are at the heart of our commitment to, and ongoing journey toward being a People First company.  That commitment is central to our team of team’s philosophy and fosters an environment where everyone can Belong, Connect and Grow. We Deliver – Together. 

KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.