Manager, Controls and Automation

What we do-

Aspen is a technology leader in sustainability and electrification solutions. The Company's aerogel technology enables its customers and partners to achieve their own objectives around the global megatrends of resource efficiency, e-mobility, and clean energy. Aspen's PyroThin products enable solutions to thermal runaway challenges within the electric vehicle ("EV") market. The Company's Cryogel and Pyrogel products are valued by the world's largest energy infrastructure companies. Aspen's strategy is to partner with world-class industry leaders to leverage its Aerogel Technology Platform into additional high-value markets. Aspen is headquartered in Northborough, Mass.

What we value-

At Aspen, our values reflect who we are and how we work both with each other and our customers, suppliers, and communities. They shape our interactions, guide our decisions, and inspire us to bring our best. Whether collaborating internally or externally, our values drive us to make a meaningful impact within Aspen and in all our relationships.

Aspen's CORE Values

We Do the Right Thing

We are Problem Solvers

We are Allies

We Drive Forward

What you will do-

The Manager, Controls and Automation will have responsibility for a team tasked with implementing, maintaining, and improving control systems to ensure efficient plant operation. In addition, this position will have responsibility for navigating the strategic roadmap for the group along with subsequent execution in concert with developing standards and system specifications. This position will work closely with the plant Manufacturing, Maintenance, Engineering, and Information Technology functions. This position is based at Aspen Aerogels, Inc aerogel manufacturing facility in Rhode Island, USA.

How will you do it-

Manager, Controls and Automation:

• Develop and lead a team of Automation and Control Engineers, providing inspiration, direction, guidance, support, and mentorship.
• Accountable for the success of control engineering team members, including setting goals, conducting performance evaluations and feedback, and providing training and professional development opportunities.
• Accountable for the successful execution of automation projects, from concept design to implementation and validation.
• Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in all C&A activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize control systems and enhance manufacturing processes.
• Manage resource allocation (via prioritization) to ensure support is aligned with strategic momentum.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics related to automation and control systems, making data-driven decisions to improve overall plant performance.
• Champion longer term platform improvement efforts, including Field Device Management solutions, Alarm management, enhanced control loop monitoring, and high-performance graphics in accordance with industry standards.
• Drive the evaluation, selection, and implementation of new control systems, equipment, and technologies that align with the plant's long-term vision.
• Exceptional project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects with varying complexities.
• Initiate and lead project design reviews to ensure P&IDs, instrumentation specs, and other engineering documents meet C&A standards.
• Work with stakeholders and engineering teams to develop Functional Requirement Specifications (FRS), User Requirement Specifications (URS) and Control Narratives.
• Develop training materials and provide ongoing training for control system users.
• Participate as required in developing or implementing testing protocols for process optimization, enhancement, and troubleshooting.
• Adopt and follow Aspen's core values of Safety, Quality, Integrity, Teamwork, Customer, and Innovation on both a personal and professional level.
• Provide regular updates to plant leadership and stakeholders on the progress of C&A initiatives, highlighting successes, challenges, and potential solutions.

Manufacturing Support:

• Work closely with production, engineering, and maintenance to identify and communicate daily issues, priorities, and production changes.
• Identify automation opportunities that enhance manufacturing processes and efficiency.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define automation requirements, prioritize projects, and allocate resources effectively.
• Participate in daily production meetings, weekly staff meetings, and other scheduled meetings.
• Lead as an integral part of the team during plant outages from equipment shutdown through start-up of the processes.
• Provide troubleshooting expertise to isolate problem causes and provide guidance for corrective actions (e.g., controls/graphics, field devices, electrical, IT platforms).
• Develop support and escalation procedures for multi-level support in troubleshooting controls-related issues for a 24/7 operation.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, training, and developing employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; goal setting and appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Why you are right for the job-

• Complete knowledge of and adherence to safety regulations and standards relevant to control and automation systems in hazardous industrial and manufacturing environments.
• Minimum of a 4-year bachelor's degree in an engineering-related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience handling design, implementation, configuration, and administration of:




• DCS platforms: Object and library-oriented software development (IEC61131 languages), graphics engines, ISA-88 compliant batch systems.
• PLC equipment: Rockwell FactoryTalk View SE, AssetCentre, DriveExec.




• Solid experience with the selection, implementation, and troubleshooting of industrial networks and IT infrastructure for process control:




• HART, Ethernet, Ethernet-IP, Sercos, Profibus DP/PA, Profinet: architecture and design, configuration, testing, and troubleshooting
• Virtual environments (VMWare): configuration, troubleshooting.




• 5+ years of experience with electrical and instrumentation technologies for hazardous area applications (Class 1 Div1/Div2 protection methods)
• 5+ years of proven capital project experience.
• Possess robust communication and interpersonal skills for effective presentation, problem resolution, and interaction with multiple disciplines.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to identify and resolve control system issues efficiently with the ability to make sound decisions under pressure and implement effective solutions.

Preferences:

• Bachelor's degree in control systems, automation, computer, or electrical engineering.
• Previous experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
• 5+ years of experience working with ABB's 800xA platform (AC800M Control Builder, PG2 graphics, Batch recipe and management engines, Asset Optimization, and Information Management).
• Experience in the Oil & Gas, Chemical, or Food & Beverage industries with working knowledge of design criteria, standards, and relevant codes for controls and instrumentation, and batch manufacturing.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 and integrated-plant concepts/environments
• Experience and familiarity with ISA standards.

What to expect-

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Occasionally required to stand.
• Occasionally required to walk.
• Occasionally required to climb stairs.
• Frequently required to sit.
• Continually required to utilize hand and finger dexterity.
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, bend, stoop, kneel or crawl.
• Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.
• Occasionally works around fumes, airborne particles, and/or toxic chemicals.
• Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions
• While performing the duties of this job, the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision; Distance vision; Color vision; Peripheral vision; Depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PERKS OF JOINING OUR TEAM!

Aspen is committed to offering a comprehensive benefits package, a positive and productive work environment, encouraged work/life and family balance, and opportunities for growth and development, in a culture that is focused on inclusion, sustainability, and working together to solve the world's toughest challenges.

Aspen is proud to offer a competitive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays, Sick Time, and PTO. In addition, we also offer 401k Employer Match, Life and Disability Insurance, and other benefits.

Expected Compensation: Between $135,000 and $155,000 USD/year based on experience. Yearly bonus eligibility.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to abuttitta@aerogel.com or call and leave a voice message at (508) 466-3111 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information and we will return your message.

For Our Rhode Island Applicants:
Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics. The East Providence, RI facility of Aspen Aerogels is subject to Title 28, Chapter 29-6.2 of Rhode Island General Laws, which governs Worker's Compensation.