Controls Engineer
Hertha Metals · Conroe, TX
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Hertha Metals (industrial) in Conroe, TX. BS or higher in Electrical, Controls, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Tools it names
- Root cause, PLC, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 76 other live controls postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $90k–$132k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 84%
- ✓ Automation 77%
- Robotics 38%
- EHS / safety 27%
- ✓ Root cause 22%
- ✓ Python 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Hertha Metals
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from Hertha MetalsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Support the design, specification, and implementation of control systems, including PLCs, DCS, HMI/SCADA platforms, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and industrial networks
- ◆Develop, test, and maintain PLC and HMI programs, control narratives, functional specifications, cause-and-effect matrices, and I/O lists
- ◆Design and implement control strategies for furnace operation, gas handling, material handling, and other process systems, including PID loops, sequencing, interlocks, and permissives
- ◆Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, and start-up activities
- ◆Provide on-site troubleshooting and engineering support for control systems during operations
- ◆Lead or assist with root cause analysis (RCA) of control system issues and process upsets, and implement corrective actions
- ◆Tune control loops and optimize process performance in collaboration with process engineers and operations
- ◆Develop and maintain alarm management, data historian, and process data collection systems to support operations and continuous improvement
- ◆Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety
requirements
(e.g., ISA-88, ISA-18.2, IEC 61131, IEC 61511, ISA/IEC 62443)
- ✓Participate in safety reviews, HAZOPs, LOPAs, and incident investigations
- ✓Collaborate with process, mechanical, and instrumentation and electrical engineers to ensure integrated system performance
- ✓Support controls engineering needs for plant expansions and future facilities, including standardization of control system architecture and programming practices
Your Experience
- ✓BS or higher in Electrical, Controls, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering
- ✓2+ years of relevant experience in industrial automation and control system design, programming, and commissioning. Experience in steelmaking operations is desirable.
- ✓Experience in new plant engineering or plant process engineering with a focus on plant operations and start-ups
- ✓Ability to make well-balanced judgments by weighing functionality, reliability, initial investment, and ongoing expenses
- ✓Understanding of complex interactions between feedstocks and upstream and downstream processes is highly desirable
- ✓Strong analytical skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and implement sustainable improvements
- ✓Ability to clearly communicate and present status, actions, recommendations, and other technical information at all levels
- ✓Capacity to build strong relationships with and positively influence equipment vendors and system integrators
requirements
- ✓Familiarity with scripting languages (e.g., Python, SQL, MATLAB) for data analysis and automation
- ✓Knowledge of advanced process control concepts (e.g., cascade, feedforward, ratio, and model-based control) is a plus
- ✓Working knowledge of instrumentation and electrical systems sufficient to read P&IDs, loop diagrams, and electrical schematics
- ✓Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, experimental environment
- ✓3–8 years of experience in an industrial, manufacturing, energy, metals, or chemical environment, with hands-on experience supporting control systems in operating facilities
- ✓Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- ✓Willingness to work on-site and support plant operations, including off-hours support during commissioning and start-up, as required
responsibilities
cleanly and candidates can tell which one fits them. The same “2+ years” versus “3–8 years” inconsistency carries over here from the original template, so you may want to settle on one range for bot
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
About Hertha Metals, Inc.:
Hertha Metals is redefining how the world makes steel. We’ve developed a breakthrough single-step steelmaking process that uses gas reductants to convert iron ore of any grade or form, delivering lower production costs and emissions than blast furnaces—while improving product quality and scalability. Having operated the world’s largest single-step steelmaking pilot plant, we’re now scaling toward commercial deployment. Our mission is to redefine the foundation of modern industry by scaling cleaner, more efficient, and more cost competitive metalmaking systems. At Hertha, engineers, metallurgists, and operators work side by side to transform the future of steel making.
Controls Engineer
The Controls Engineer will support the design, commissioning, operation, and continuous improvement of the automation and control systems critical to Hertha’s ironmaking process. This role requires a hands-on engineer who is comfortable working in an industrial, plant-based environment and collaborating closely with operations, maintenance, and cross-functional engineering teams during scale-up. This position reports directly to the Director of Plant Engineering.
Additional Skills
- •Support furnace commissioning, control tuning, and optimization activities
- •Proficiency with PLC programming platforms (e.g., Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal) using ladder logic, function block, and structured text
- •Experience with HMI/SCADA and historian platforms (e.g., Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, OSIsoft PI)
- •Familiarity with industrial communication protocols and networks (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, Profinet, OPC UA)
- •Familiarity with combustion and burner management systems (BMS) and NFPA 86
Personal attributes
Energetic and highly motivated; high level of organization; able to multitask on many projects; detail oriented; able to focus on overall project goals; team oriented.
Level of independence
Individuals must be able to work independently and also be able to direct long-term tasks through to completion. Some projects are highly supervised, some are minimally supervised.
If you’re hiring for both roles, I’d also soften the PLC programming and HMI/SCADA bullet in the I&E description to “familiarity with,” so the two descriptions divide