DCS Operator

About the role

This position is for a HYCO DCS Operator within a hydrogen production facility. Reporting to the HYCO Lead or Shift Supervisor, the role focuses on the safe, steady, and efficient operation of the hydrogen manufacturing unit from a central control room using DCS, along with related field operations. The operator is expected to keep production aligned with customer demand, product quality standards, and environmental obligations while supporting plant reliability, optimization, and safe work practices.

The role also includes day-to-day execution of safety work permits, lockout/tagout activities, preventive maintenance tasks, and support for corrective maintenance work in coordination with maintenance and engineering teams.

Safety, health and environment

• Help maintain a safe and stable operating environment and promote company and industry safe work practices to prevent injuries, while keeping safety-related records up to date.
• Follow and enforce safe permit-to-work systems, lockout/tagout controls, and management of change processes.
• Act as the initial response point for process emergencies by carrying out emergency operating procedures, initiating trips when required, and directing field operators.
• Track the condition of SIS and fire and gas systems, and understand the cause-and-effect logic for plant safety interlocks.
• Ensure emissions from sources such as the reformer stack and vent streams remain within environmental permit limits, and handle waste streams appropriately.
• Support overall operational safety by using the BHIG Basic Safety Practice program.

Technical and operations

• Run the steam methane reformer-based hydrogen facility, including CO2 removal, CO2 compression, PSA with tail gas compression, membrane systems, and associated utilities according to work instructions.
• Operate the pipeline network that delivers hydrogen, steam, and CO2 to customer pipelines in a safe and efficient manner.
• Track production progress and plant condition, report shortfalls to the Shift Supervisor, and recommend practical actions to improve performance.
• Work to meet BHIG standards and global best practices across EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and customer service.
• Deliver on customer expectations for safety, reliability, product quality, and supply flexibility while maintaining professional communication with customer representatives at board level.
• Follow site operating manuals, checklists, and procedures for product H2, CO2, and steam supply while ensuring compliance with all requirements.
• Coordinate regularly with refinery counterparts regarding feedstock, utilities, power, hydrogen, and steam interfaces to keep expectations aligned with current and future demand.
• Continuously monitor process variables such as flow, temperature, pressure, level, and analytical values through the DCS and keep them within approved limits.
• Adjust control loops, setpoints, and cascades to keep integrated units running steadily.
• Use trends and historical data to anticipate performance decline, uncover inefficiencies, and reduce the risk of trips or failures.
• Lead or support plant and unit start-up sequences from cold, warm, or hot standby conditions and assist with commissioning activities.
• Stay in constant contact with field operators to guide equipment adjustments, isolations, and field rounds.
• Work with maintenance teams to prepare equipment for maintenance and return it safely to service through isolation, purging, and blinding.
• Complete accurate shift handovers and highlight abnormalities, ongoing work, and special instructions for the next shift.
• Keep operating logs complete, accurate, and timely, including parameters, notable events, and production data.
• Identify root causes of process upsets and equipment issues, and collaborate with engineers on long-term fixes.
• Contribute to operational enhancements and debottlenecking efforts that improve safety, reliability, and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with condition monitoring, preventive maintenance, and environmental regulatory requirements.
• Support shutdown and turnaround planning activities.
• Coach and motivate the field operations team to improve operational excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Build close working relationships with engineering and maintenance teams to monitor and evaluate equipment and system performance.
• Follow process safety, MOC, and OPHR requirements.
• Take part in incident investigations and root cause analysis, and help implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve productivity, reliability, quality, and customer outcomes.
• Share plant activity updates with other shifts to maintain continuity and reliable operations.
• Carry out other duties assigned by management in a timely and efficient manner.

Minimum qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, or chemical process operations is preferred, with 10 years of experience. An associate technical degree or 2-year certificate may also be considered depending on experience and demonstrated competence.
• At least 5 years of lead DCS operations experience.
• Background in DCS and field operations, ideally in an SMR-based hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, or syngas plant.
• Hands-on knowledge of DCS systems such as Yokogawa Centum VP or Siemens PCS 7.
• Strong understanding of chemical engineering principles, thermodynamics, and process control, along with broad technical awareness across operations, engineering, and maintenance.
• Ability to stay alert, assess situations quickly, and make reliable decisions under pressure.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic capability.
• Excellent spoken and written English, with the ability to communicate clearly with customers at board level and coordinate effectively between operations and maintenance teams.
• Strong commitment to employee involvement, teamwork, and diversity.

About the company

Air Products is a global industrial gases company founded in 1940, known for innovation, operational excellence, and a strong focus on safety and environmental stewardship. The company emphasizes collaboration, inclusion, and using diverse backgrounds and experience to build a cleaner future for customers, communities, and the wider world.