Automation Engineer for Air Separation Unit (Industrial Gases) - Senior Level

Cometstar Group is a group of companies with interest in cable manufacturing, production of industrial gases, and exploration of solid minerals. Cometstar was incorporated in Nigeria in 2005. We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Automation Engineer for Air Separation Unit (Industrial Gases) - Senior Level

Location: Agbara, Ogun

Employment Type: Full-time

Job Description

We are seeking to engage an Automation Engineer at the Air Separation Unit of our Industrial Gases plant. The automation engineer will design, program, and maintain the industrial control systems that supervise the cryogenic separation of atmospheric air into high-purity oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon

Key Responsibilities

DCS and PLC Programming: Develop and configure control logic using platforms like Siemens PCS7, TIA Portal, or Allen-Bradley ControlLogix SCADA and HMI Management: Build operator interface screens, trend analysis tools, and multi-user server-client architectures in systems like WinCC or Yokogawa CENTUM VP Process Automation & Sequences: Program automated start-up, shut-down, deriming (thawing/moisture removal), and molecular sieve purification sequences Loop & Interlock Control: Monitor and tune PID loops for critical process parameters including pressure, cryogenic temperatures, flow rates, liquid levels, and turbine speeds Functional Safety (SIL/HAZOP): Participate in hazard and operability studies and implement Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD) to safely handle cryogenic fluids and high-pressure oxygen Industrial Networking & Commissioning: Configure field communication protocols (Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, OPC) and execute Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and plant commissioning.

Qualifications & Experience

OND / HND / B.Sc / B.Eng in Automation Engineering, Instrumentation & Control (I&C), Electrical Engineering, or Chemical/Process Engineering with a strong control systems focus. Professional Certifications (Highly Valued): Functional Safety Engineer (TÜV Rheinland / Exida): Essential for designing Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) used to manage hazardous oxygen and hydrogen risks. Professional Engineer (PE / Ch.Eng): Often required for senior roles signing off on safety interlocks and plant design Senior Level (6+ Years Experience): Greenfield/Brownfield Commissioning: Leading the control system execution from loop checks to initial plant start-up, including automated Molecular Sieve (Pre-Purification Unit) switching sequences. Advanced Process Control (APC): Designing loop interactions to optimize energy consumption. Since air separation is highly power-intensive, seniors program algorithms for compressor guide-vane control and anti-surge protection. Safety System Design: Experience configuring Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD) with high Safety Integrity Levels (SIL 2/3) to prevent catastrophic over-pressurization or oxygen-enriched fires.