Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

About Us

Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, an Asahi Kasei Company, is a pioneer in battery technology and a long-trusted supplier of lithium battery separators, which are polymer-based microporous membranes that are key components of lithium-ion batteries (LIB).

The company’s Hipore™ brand of separators have been commercially available since the lithium battery market’s inception in the early 1990s and they are found primarily in electric drive vehicles (EDVs) as well as in consumer electronics (CE) such as smartphones, tablets and personal computers. Hipore™ membrane separators bring high porosity and excellent energy transfer, while contributing to battery safety and reliability and they are especially well matched for the high-capacity batteries required for power plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and full battery (BEV) vehicles.

Asahi Kasei is accelerating its next phase of global growth with proactive investment and capacity expansion in battery separators to meet increasing demand for electric vehicle applications. Expansions have been announced at existing Asahi Kasei LIB separator facilities in the United States, Japan, and South Korea, with start-up scheduled in succession from the first half of fiscal year 2026. Asahi Kasei will continue investing to further build its LIB separator infrastructure for automotive applications to meet growing demand in North America where significant expansion of electric vehicle production is forecasted.

We are now in the early phases of staffing our new greenfield site, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, that will have an investment of about 1.57 billion CAD$ to further build its LIB separator infrastructure for automotive applications to meet growing demand in North America where significant expansion of electric vehicle production is forecasted.

The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by a holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. With more than 48,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. We are Creating for Tomorrow

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to be a part of a new plant start-up based in Port Colborne, Ontario. The incumbent will be responsible for the entire project life cycle from scope determination through timely project closure on assigned projects. This role aids the project managers and engineers with electrical controls and instrumentation design of their assigned projects.

Reporting Relationships

This position directly reports to the Construction Manager and does not supervise others.

Asahi Kasei Values

• Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone
• Challenge – Bolding taking challenges, continually seeking change
• Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy

Key Accountabilities

• Management of construction and capital from concept to project closure.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership in control system engineering, design, implementation, programming, configuration, commissioning, testing and troubleshooting in support of manufacturing industrial control systems along with all associated control system devices, computers, communications, networks, endpoint devices, and instrumentation.
• Specification of equipment control systems and process function for new equipment.
• Instrumentation and controls design for machinery and facilities.
• Specify PLC system architecture for new installations.
• Support PLC programmers with machine control concepts and hardware selection.
• Support engineers of other disciplines with electrical and instrumentation designs for their projects.
• Update electrical drawings in the document control system.
• Occasional support of maintenance personnel with troubleshooting electrical and instrumentation breakdowns.
• Evaluates performance of instrumentation and controls systems and makes recommendations for improvements and cost savings.
• Knowledge and appreciation of safe work practices and environments; maintains high level of safety among all employees throughout project process.
• Uses technical knowledge and awareness of details to recognize when technical problems are developing in the various disciplines and initiates appropriate corrective actions.
• Application with online analyzers and inspection equipment.

Qualifications

Education Background:

• Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or related field required.

Knowledge & Experience:

• 5+ years of experience with electrical, controls, and instrumentation design of machines, utilities, and facilities in a manufacturing or industrial environment required.
• Previous experience with capital projects is required; experience with new site construction is preferred.
• Must possess the ability to apply mathematical and engineering principles and methods to electrical system designs.
• Must be able to conduct research to produce design solutions and improvements.
• Must possess in-depth knowledge of industry advances in control system monitoring, testing and analysis of control equipment, and controls theory.
• Strong knowledge and experience of electrical and electronics theory is required.
• Must have demonstrated experience with a strong emphasis on execution of multiple projects and electrical and instrumentation support of other disciplines.
• Must be proficient in use of AutoCAD (standard or electrical) and MS Office products.
• Must be proficient in the application of NEC, ISA, NEMA codes and standards.
• Must be familiar with the application and design of PLCs, HMI, VFDs, and instrumentation; the application and design of power circuits at 480v and below; the application of motors and motor controls; and the application of temperature and pressure controls.
• Must be familiar with control systems to be able to select for design or modify existing systems. Systems will primarily include Allen Bradley, siemens and Mitsubishi PLCs with Allen Bradley and Yaskawa drives.
• Experience working for a global organization with cross cultural interaction is strongly preferred.

Key Attributes:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to communicate effectively to diverse audiences across all levels of the organization is required
• Must have strong interpersonal skills
• Must be adept at influencing others to move projects forward

Travel:

• Must be able and willing to travel up to 15% domestically and abroad for training and visiting other company locations

Schedule:

Must be able and willing to work a flexible schedule for emergencies and to attend in-person meetings and conference calls outside of normal business hours. The incumbent can flex working hours to accommodate.

Working Environment

This position will be based in a temporary structure on or near a construction site until the permanent office is built in 2026. The final work environment will be at a 24/7 manufacturing operation. This position is in support of manufacturing and requires working in a production environment around chemicals. The manufacturing facility will be a state of the art in terms of automation and being temperature and humidity controlled. This will be a clean and comfortable environment due to the nature of the products being produced.

This position is in a manufacturing plant setting that would require working in a production environment around chemicals. Work is 80% desk-based but will require standing and walking for 20% of the time. You may be required to lift up to 35 pounds and/or push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

This position has been identified as safety sensitive and involves operating heavy equipment and frequent exposure to chemicals and moving mechanical parts in a construction and manufacturing environment.

Location Information

Port Colborne, Ontario is a charming harbour town situated in the Niagara Region on the coast of Lake Erie. The Niagara Region is made up of 12 municipalities and has a population of approximately 478,000. It is an international trade hub with industry ranging from agriculture, construction, manufacturing, technology, tourism, transportation and warehousing.There are two regional airports, easy access to four international airports, railway, and other public transportation. It is home to Brock University, Niagara College Canada, McMaster University, as well as public and private schools that offer a selection of concentrations. The area offers a safe, affordable lifestyle with a hometown community feel. Recreational attractions include Humberstone Speedway, Niagara Falls, Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, the Welland Canal, Canada’s largest casino, wineries, sporting and entertainment venues for concerts and festivals. Other amenities include the Niagara Heath System, a variety in dining, farmer’s markets, ample parks, trails and outdoor activities. Within driving distance, the greater Ontario province offers modern cities and countryside that are rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. It is about a 90-minute drive to Mississauga, Toronto, and Brampton.

The Company is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities in its workplaces. If accommodation is required in the application process, please contact Human Resources at careers@ak-bsc.ca.