Asahi Kasei is a long-trusted supplier of lithium-ion battery separators – polymer-based microporous membranes that are a key component of the lithium batteries used to power electric vehicles, renewable energy storage systems, and more. We are currently seeking applications to fill the following job opening at Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada, where we are in the process of constructing a new lithium battery separator manufacturing facility to support increasing North American demand.
Company:
Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada Corporation
Job Description:
We are seeking an Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to be a part of a new plant start-up based in Port Colborne, Ontario. The Instrumentation & Controls Engineer bridges detailed engineering, commissioning, and long-term operational support, ensuring that instrumentation, automation, and control systems are designed, installed, commissioned, and maintained to meet safety, reliability, and performance requirements. This position is a new role.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
This position is directly reported to the Maintenance Leader.
ASAHI KASEI VALUES
Sincerity – Being sincere with everyone.
Challenge – Boldly taking challenges, continuously seeking change.
Creativity – Creating new value through unity and synergy.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Commissioning & Project Phase Responsibilities
- Support commissioning activities such as control, automation, and safety systems are brought online, including loop checks, functional testing, and system validation.
- Ensure alignment with project requirements, applicable standards, and commissioning needs.
- Identify gaps, risks, and constructability or operability concerns within automation and control systems and effectively communicate practical solutions.
- Develop and/or review engineering deliverables such as:
- Control system architecture and functional block diagrams
- Communication network drawings
- PLC panel layouts and wiring diagrams
- Instrument loop diagrams and junction box wiring
- Fire alarm system risers and layouts
- Instrument indices, I/O lists, and cable schedules
- Assist with commissioning work plans, procedures, and technical reports, written clearly and concisely.
- Participate in site visits, inspections, and field walkdowns to gather data and support construction and commissioning activities.
Transition to Maintenance & Operations Responsibilities
- Provide ongoing technical support to Maintenance & Operations teams after plant handover.
- Troubleshoot instrumentation, control systems, and automation issues to minimize downtime and improve reliability.
- Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for instruments, control panels, PLCs, and safety systems.
- Maintain and update control system documentation, drawings, and asset data to reflect as-built and operational changes.
- Support management of change (MOC) activities related to control and instrumentation systems.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and reliability teams to optimize control strategies, system performance, and plant safety.
- Support vendor interfaces for spare parts, upgrades, obsolescence management, and technical support.
Key Skills and Abilities
- Experience working with PLC, DCS, SCADA, and field instrumentation systems.
- Familiarity with industrial standards and codes (e.g., ISA, IEC, NEC, NFPA, CSA, IEEE).
- Strong ability to read, develop, and review engineering drawings and technical documentation.
- Experience coordinating with vendors, system integrators, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines in fast-paced environments.
- Must be proficient in use of AutoCAD (standard or electrical) and MS Office products.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education Background
- Minimum post-secondary education – bachelor’s degree in electrical, instrumentation, automation, or related engineering discipline is preferred.
Knowledge & Experience
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in Instrumentation and Controls field.
- Hands-on experience or strong exposure to commissioning and start-up of industrial facilities is preferred.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Expected Compensation
- Salary based position with a range of $110,000.00 to $125,000.00 based on education and experience.
Travel
- Must hold a valid Passport and be willing to travel up to 10% internationally for training and visiting other company locations, predominately the United States of America and Japan.
Schedule
- Full-time 100% in-person position.
- Typical work hours are Monday to Friday, with flexibility to address urgent issues as needed 24/7. Attendance at meetings and trainings on off shifts may also be required periodically with flexibility to adjust schedule to meet regular working hours as needed.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
This position is based in a temporary structure on the site during the construction phase, with transition in to new facility in 2027. 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.
ABOUT US
Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada 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) used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles.
The company’s Hipore™ brand of separators has 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. We are now in the early phases of staffing our new greenfield site, in Port Colborne, Ontario, Canada, which will further build our 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 holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. With more than 49,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. We are Creating for Tomorrow!
For more information, go to www.ak-bsc.ca.
LOCATION INFORMATION
Port Colborne, Ontario is a charming harbour town situated in the Niagara Region on the coast of Lake Erie. It offers a safe, small-town lifestyle with access to beach waterfront, affordable housing, easy commuting and one of the world’s largest canal locks, Lock 8 of the Welland Canal. The town is a 60-minute drive to Hamilton, ON, 120-minute drive to Toronto, and 45-minute drive to Buffalo-Niagara International Airport in Buffalo, NY, USA. AKBSCA is located on the Welland-Port Colborne border.
The Niagara Region is made up of 12 municipalities and has a population of approximately 478,000. It is an international trade hub with industries ranging from agriculture, construction, manufacturing, technology, tourism. It is strategically positioned at the center of North America’s rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) and battery supply chain. Home to Brock University, Niagara College Canada, and the University of Niagara Falls, as well as public and private schools, the area offers a selection of concentrations. Recreational attractions include Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, world class wineries and dining, sporting and entertainment venues for concerts and festivals. Other amenities include the Niagara Health System, farmer’s markets, ample parks, trails and outdoor activities.
Besides being Canada's main economic hub, the province of Ontario is also known for its natural diversity, including vast forests, beautiful provincial parks, and home to Canada’s Capital, Ottawa Ontario.
Asahi Kasei Battery Separator Canada is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from qualified women, men, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities.
We are committed to providing accommodations throughout the interview process for needs that are made known in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If accommodation is required in the application process, please contact AKBSCA Human Resources at [email protected].
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As an equal opportunity employer, Asahi Kasei is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Asahi Kasei believes that its diverse workforce strengthens the company’s ability to adapt and thrive in a changing world .
