What does a process control engineer do?

[Barry1492]

I think I have a pretty good idea, and I know once I get to the interview more questions will be answered. However, I'd like to know a little more about this field before the interview. Can anyone give me a good idea what kinds of tasks one would likely do? Is it just managing a shift or does it extend into more interesting stuff like researching, ordering, and trouble shooting new equipment, developing new processes, etc.? Is it typicaly hard core serious shift work (every weekend and holiday, nights, etc.) or only some shift work (ie short periods of over nights, some weekends, etc.).

Thanks in advance for your help. It will be greatly
appreciated.


Here is the internet ad (with some editing for some sense of anonymity):

The Process Control Engineer, in conjunction with (blank) Engineer and Production Supervisory functions, shall be responsible for the manufacture of (stuff) within specification, while maintaining optimal productivity and quality.



The (person) will support the implementation of new technologies and procedures to meet capacity, cost reduction, and safety requirements in addition to suggesting procedural and process improvements to meet the plant’s productivity and quality goals.

 

[swall]

Do you have a specific industry in mind?

 

[Warpspeed]

Responsible for the manufacture of stuff, and presumably quality control, and cost/energy efficiency.

An in depth knowledge of control systems, sensors and instrumentation would be fairly important. Experience of things such as variable frequency drives, PID controllers, and how to tune them. Various ways to measure things, temperature, flow, pressure, and position. Advantages and disadvantages of each method. Control strategies and so on.

As I understand it, process control engineering is about keeping automatic production machinery and processes working effectively. A heck of a lot depends upon the particular industry and what they actually do.

But typically, the production manager will come to you whining and complaining that his oven fluctuates in temperature, his compressed air supply fluctuates in pressure, and the hot water is not always hot, and the acidity of his chemical tank is all over the place. Please tell us how to fix these problems the cheapest possible way. You will need to diagnose the problem and probably cost out a solution. Or perhaps present management with a report suggesting alternative fixes.