Lead Project Engineer Process Control & Automation

At ChainCraft, we are turning chemistry circular. We develop sustainable biotechnological processes that convert food waste into valuable bio-based fatty acids. Our scale-up is entering an exciting growth phase and we are looking for a Lead Project Engineer in Process Control & Automation who can build long-term expertise and capability in process control and automation within ChainCraft.

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Your role

You play a pivotal role in developing a first-of-its-kind full-scale plant, a unique opportunity for an engineer to shape the future of automation, digitalisation, and AI-driven process control within both ChainCraft and the circular chemical industry.

As part of our growing Engineering team in Amsterdam, you will work alongside leading experts and report to the Engineering Manager. You’ll be the key expert for process control and automation, establishing the long-term foundations for this core competence. You will set the direction for all automation activities, guide the development of advanced control and optimisation systems, and act as the main technical contact for major contractors on full-scale projects, starting with FS1 in Ter Apelkanaal.

You ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations by collaborating with process engineers, project managers, contractors, and suppliers to deliver robust automation solutions. You will also drive continuous improvement of automation systems at our pilot and demonstration plant.

In this senior-level position, you’ll lead and coordinate all control and automation activities, ensuring technical quality, planning, and budget compliance. You align closely with internal process and project teams, and your contributions have a direct, long-term impact on the realisation of new facilities and the technological foundation of ChainCraft.

Key responsibilities:

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• Act as the main technical contact for external parties in automation projects: Serve as the technical authority for all automation-related discussions with contractors, suppliers, engineering partners, and system integrators during the design and execution of ChainCraft’s flagship plants. Challenge designs, review proposals, and ensure solutions meet quality, safety, schedule, and budget expectations, while managing all process control & automation interfaces across engineering disciplines and external parties for a successful project handover.
  
• Shape and develop the digitalisation and automation roadmap:Play an active role in shaping the strategy, design, and development of process control and automation systems for flagship projects. Act as the company’s primary technical authority on automation, exploring and driving digital innovation – including data-driven process optimisation, predictive maintenance, and AI applications – to build smarter, more automated, and more sustainable plants.
  
• Manage and optimise control and automation systems:Ensure reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of control systems (PLC/SCADA). Analyse system behaviour, implement upgrades, and fine-tune configurations to ensure safe, stable, and efficient operation of production processes.
  
• Troubleshoot issues and support during commissioning and start-up:Investigate root causes and implement sustainable solutions. During commissioning and start-up, guide automation activities, validate system functionality, and ensure seamless integration of control systems into the operational environment.
  
• Ensure documentation, safety, and standardisation of systems:Develop and maintain technical documentation, system architecture, and functional descriptions to ensure clarity and compliance. Promote standardisation, enforce safety regulations, and contribute to a structured and scalable automation landscape.
  

About you

You are a highly skilled engineer with a solid, hands-on background in process control, automation, water treatment, or (green) chemical industries, someone who understands how installations work in real operational environments, not just on paper but out in the plant.

You combine technical depth with a practical mindset. You don’t get stuck in theory; you like to solve problems, make things work, and improve what’s already there. You take ownership, coordinate with contractors and partners, and keep momentum in complex, fast-moving projects.

You’re pragmatic and down-to-earth. You collaborate naturally with process engineers, project managers, suppliers, and contractors, and know how to bring people together around a shared technical vision. You’re driven by innovation, sustainability, and long-term results, and you’re looking for a place where you can make an impact, build capability, and shape ChainCraft’s technological future.

Experience with commissioning, maintenance, and plant operations is a strong plus, as it helps you translate theory into practice and understand what really works in the field.

You bring

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• HBO/Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Automation, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or similar.
  
• 10 years of experience in industrial process automation or control engineering; experience in wastewater treatment, green chemicals, or food industry is a plus.
  
• Proven experience in leading automation work packages in complex projects (> €5M), including FIDIC/UAV contracts, from initiation to handover.
  
• Hands-on experience with functional safety, instrumentation, industrial networks, commissioning, and plant start-up.
  
• Strong knowledge of PLC/SCADA (Siemens), process control, and automation architectures.
  
• Ability to connect R&D, engineering, and operations.
  
• Interest in developing advanced data-driven analytics.
  
• Strong stakeholder management; able to work independently and build a new expertise area within ChainCraft.
  
• Strong communication skills in Dutch and English.
  
• Willingness to support the realisation of our first-of-a-kind plant in Ter Apelkanaal, including regular site visits (increasing during commissioning).
  

We offer

At ChainCraft, you contribute to a better world by making sustainable innovation a reality. We offer a stimulating and informal environment with an international team that shares a mission to replace fossil and palm-based chemicals with circular alternatives.

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• 40 working hours per week.
  
• 8% holiday allowance, 29 vacation days and a solid pension plan.
  
• Participation in our Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR) program.
  
• Travel allowance (also for bike or walking). xgiwjmb
  
• Flexible work arrangements (up to 2 days remote).