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Process automation engineer

Process automation engineer

Engineering and manufacturing

Level 7 - Professional Occupation

Designing, developing, deploying and supporting the types of instrumentation, control and automation systems as used in the chemicals and process industry sector.

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Reference: OCC0407

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £41,426 per year

SOC 2020 code: 2125 Production and process engineers

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 2125/03 Industrial and production engineers
  • 5223/01 Automation maintenance technicians

Technical Education Products

ST0407:

Process automation engineer (degree)

(Level 7)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Genzyme, Honeywell, ABB, AMEC-Foster Wheeler, BP, Emerson Process Management, Perceptive Engineering, Sellafield Ltd, Glaxo Smith Kline, SABIC UK Petrochemicals, Schneider Electric

Summary

Process automation lies very much at the interface between disciplines: chemical and electrical engineering, instrumentation and control, maths and computing, software and IT, business and management. To function effectively, process automation engineers require a breadth and depth of knowledge and knowhow across that spectrum. They are involved at all stages in the life cycle of an ICSS: feasibility, specification, design, development, acceptance, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and support. Typically, on a project basis, they may be involved in ‘doing’ the specifics of design, development, etc, or in the management thereof. Their work is subject to a variety of constraints: international and company standards, legal, contractual and commercial commitments, not to mention good practice. The standard will apply to all apprentices in its entirety although the emphasis will vary for individuals according to which phases of the life cycle they are involved in and depending upon whether they are employed by system suppliers (the vendors), contractors (or system integrators) or end users (the operating companies).

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Genzyme, Honeywell, ABB, AMEC-Foster Wheeler, BP, Emerson Process Management, Perceptive Engineering, Sellafield Ltd, Glaxo Smith Kline, SABIC UK Petrochemicals, Schneider Electric

eco

Mid Green occupation

Keywords:

Automation Systems
Chemicals
Engineer
Manufacturing
Process Automation Engineer

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: knows the principles of design and operation of a variety of unit operations and the principal features of construction of related items of process plant.
K2: understands a range of relevant strategies and techniques for the control of both batch and continuous plant, and the knowhow for translating them into designs.
K3: knows about modern instrumentation for measurement of common process variables, actuation (valves & motors), signal transmission and protocols, intrinsic safety and segregation.
K4: knows about modern control technology including hardware and infrastructure (power & air supply, trays & trunking, cabling and marshalling), and interfacing to third party equipment.
K5: knows about with the topology (hardware, its organisation and layout), system software, communications and networks, and operator interface of at least one ICSS or equivalent.
K6: is familiar with the essential functionality of the real-time languages, structures and tools provided for the development of application software for at least one ICCS or equivalent.
K7: understands the organisation of alarm systems, the need for alarm management and the quantitative analysis and design of Safety Integrity Level (SIL) rated protection systems.
K8: knows about the use of control systems as a platform for higher level tasks, such as optimisation and statistical process control, and of the database techniques (eg, querying and reporting) used for the integration of control and enterprise management systems.
K9: is familiar with key international standards, codes of practice and industry guides, etc, and mandatory requirements, especially regarding protection systems, safety and human factors.
K10: understands the life cycle of control systems in terms of feasibility, specification, design, development, acceptance, installation, commissioning, operation, maintenance and support.
K11: appreciates the contractual nature of relationships between suppliers, contractors & end users.
K12: knows about general management practice and, in particular, project management and software engineering methods.
K13: appreciates the contribution of automation to improved safety, sustainability and reduced environmental impact of operations.

S1: able to analyse complex automation problems of a process nature, reducing them to their underlying issues, and can synthesise solutions subject to constraints.
S2: able to develop, from first principles, qualitative and/or quantitative models and simulations of systems in terms of the functionality of their components and signals and can interpret their input-output relationships.
S3: able to develop dynamic models based upon commercially available simulation packages.
S4: able to adapt and apply control theory, related techniques, technology and knowhow to the solution of process automation problems, open ended or otherwise.
S5: able to interpret requirements for automation and can articulate them in terms of user and functional design requirements, testing and acceptance specifications, and operating procedures.
S6: able to translate those requirements into designs, especially of application software, and can realise them using the standard functionality of a proprietary ICSS or otherwise
S7: can manage automation projects in terms of the planning and deployment of human and physical resources for activities such as design, development, testing, documentation, etc.
S8: able to handle the commercial and/or financial aspects of an automation project in terms of costs, resources, overheads, cash flow, margins, profit, etc.
S9: can make judgements about and take responsibility for technical issues, such as operability, productivity, quality, reliability, safety, security, sustainability and viability, in an industrial context.

B1: works independently, demonstrating self-discipline, self-motivation, self-sufficiency and self-development, requiring little supervision, if any
B2: works effectively and with enthusiasm as a member of one or more teams, interacting with and supporting other team members, whilst being committed to delivering on agreed targets for deliverables.
B3: communicates effectively, especially in the written form, with other persons, technical or otherwise, using terminology correctly according to context.
B4: accepts corporate beliefs and objectives and complies with company rules and guidelines, subject to the broader ethical responsibilities of a professional working in the industry.

Occupational Progression

This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.

In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.

It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.

Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.

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Level 6

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Level 6

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Level 7

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Engineering and manufacturing