Practice Lead, AI-Assisted Process Control

Requisition ID: 102422

Job Category: Digital

Location: Santiago, Santiago Province, Chile

Join a company that is passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. With more than 70 years of business and technical expertise in mining, energy, and infrastructure, our 10,000 colleagues in 150 countries tirelessly work toward bettering the industries in which we operate. With practical solutions that are safe, innovative and sustainable, we think globally while acting locally. Are you looking for an opportunity to join a diverse group of professionals who are committed to remaining exceptional? We look forward to hearing from you.

We're at the forefront of our clients' digital transformation journey, successfully implementing emerging digital services into our clients' projects and operations that unlock a step change in their performance. Join the team to improve project outcomes, leverage the digital twin, deliver systems integration and interoperability, and support decision-making, autonomous execution, and integrated operations and performance centers.

Hatch is an award-winning Canadian, employee-owned multidisciplinary firm that delivers a comprehensive range of technical and strategic services, including consulting, information technology, engineering, process development, project management, and construction management to large industrial sectors. Hatch has served clients for over 80 years and has project experience in more than 150 countries.

Hatch's ability to bridge the gaps between research and innovative technologies and between engineering and reliable operations is widely renowned. Hatch is particularly known for working with clients to develop business strategies and technologies; managing and optimizing production; executing projects that involve the scale-up of advanced process technologies.

Hatch delivers unprecedented business results for our clients through a commitment to quality, lower operating costs, more efficient utilization of capital assets, higher standards for safety and risk management, faster ramp-ups and continuous performance improvements in all projects and programs.

Scope of Position

Hatch develops digital and AI solutions in the Metals, Energy, and Infrastructure sectors for operational safety and efficiency, value chain and production optimization, and real-time process control and automation. Our clients are increasingly investing in digital technologies to remove people from high-risk environments, achieve real time understanding and optimization of complex value chains, and to maximise productivity and profitability. Hatch combines its deep industry expertise and engineering capabilities with world class knowledge of industrial AI, IT/OT convergence and integrated operations to deliver a holistic, transformative outcome for our clients.

Hatch has successfully deployed first-of-its-kind closed-loop, deep learning technology (known as AI-Assisted Process Control, AiPC©) in both concentrators and smelters. To support market demand, Hatch is seeking highly motivated and accomplished AI and Process Optimization Consultants to join our Digital team in Santiago (Chile). Reporting to the Global Practice Lead – AI Assisted Process Control (AiPC) professionals will play a critical role in advancing Hatch’s AiPC© capabilities across the mining and metals value chain.

The successful candidates will be responsible for:

1. AiPC© Technology Capability Development

• Lead the development and expansion of Hatch’s AI-driven process control and optimization practice globally, focusing on complex mining and metals operations, including concentrators, smelters, refineries, and hydrometallurgical plants.
• Integrate process expertise, advanced analytics, ML/AI, and control theory to deliver scalable, high-impact digital solutions. Establish technical standards, reusable frameworks, and best practices to accelerate solution development and deployment, maximizing time-to-market and value realization.

1. AiPC© Project Leadership and Delivery Excellence

• Apply deep process engineering subject matter expertise in AI-driven process control and optimization to lead end-to-end project delivery. Conduct site visits, control system reviews, and performance assessments to diagnose operational constraints and optimization potential. Design and execute proof-of-value (PoV) feasibility studies to demonstrate measurable performance improvements. Develop AI-driven control and optimization strategies, advanced process models, and real-time optimization solutions.
• Oversee online commissioning and site acceptance of AiPC© deployments, performance validation, operator training, and change management to ensure sustainable adoption and long-term value creation, ensuring seamless integration with existing DCS/PLC systems (if required) and operational workflows.

1. AiPC© Commercial Collaboration and Go-to-Market Support

• Partner closely with the regional Go-to-Market team to support pre-sales and business development activities. Contribute to technical proposals, client presentations, and strategic pursuit strategies. Develop technical white papers, industrial case studies, and thought leadership materials that differentiate Hatch’s AI solutions in the marketplace.

1. Build Trusted Client Relationships

• Build and promote Hatch’s eminence in AiPC© and educate both internal stakeholders and external clients on emerging technologies through a wide variety of industry engagement events including technical publications, conference presentations, webinars, and client workshops.
• Act as a trusted advisor to client leadership teams and operations teams on practical use of AI to improve operational performance, identifying and assessing process improvement and standardisation opportunities across client assets and articulating clear value cases and measurable business impact.

Experience and skills important for the role:

• Extensive hands-on operational experience in the mining and metals industry, particularly in one or more of the following areas: mineral processing (comminution and flotation circuits); pyrometallurgical operations (smelting and refining); hydrometallurgical operations (e.g., autoclaves, leaching, SX/EW).
• Demonstrated experience running or directly supporting one of more of the above operations with a clear understanding of business value drivers, process KPIs and constraints, operational decision-making and its impact on financial performance.
• Ability to connect with and earn the trust of operators, superintendents, and plant leadership through credibility and empathy.
• Experience with Level 1/2 process control systems with strong background and understanding of Level 3 systems such as traditional Advanced Process Control (APC) and/or Real-Time Optimization (RTO).
• Experience conducting regulatory control and/or APC performance assessments and identifying improvement opportunities with measurable business values.
• Hands-on experience designing, developing, and deploying APC/RTO applications in live plant environments, particularly in data-driven model development; Machine learning/AI and hybrid process modeling approaches; online deployment and commissioning of APC/RTO solutions; closed-loop control implementation integrated with DCS/PLC systems.
• Familiarity with industrial IT/OT architectures and integration frameworks, including experience with systems such as historians, OPC protocols, DMZ structures, and cloud/edge computing environments; understanding of data pipelines, cybersecurity considerations, and real-time data integration between OT and enterprise systems.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with process engineers, control engineers, IT professionals, and digital solution architects to ensure scalable and secure deployments.
• Proven technical consulting skills, including stakeholder engagement across operations, technical, and executive levels.
• Experience developing business cases, quantifying value, and translating technical solutions into commercial impact.
• Ability to lead site visits, opportunity assessments, proof-of-value studies, and change management initiatives.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to develop and present technical papers and white papers; deliver client workshops and operator training; support proposal development and pre-sales activities
• Demonstrated drive to grow as a trusted advisor through mentorship and professional development.

Why join us?

We are passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. We believe in exceptional ideas delivered with exceptional service. You will be:

• Solving complex problems for our clients across different industries
• Thinking globally and having a global impact, acting locally
• Acting like owners, engaging with people who make a difference
• Be part of a growing area of Hatch in an industry of accelerated change

What we offer you?

• Flexible work environment
• Long term career development
• Comprehensive benefits program

We're committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know. We'll do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.