Automation Control Engineer

An O&G client in The Woodlands, TX is looking for an Automation & Controls Engineer to join their Operations team. This role will be an ongoing contract role extended on an annual basis. This role will work a hybrid (Tues-Thurs in office, Mon & Fri remote) 9/80 schedule (every other Friday off).

This role is seeking an experienced Automation and Controls Engineer to support the installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automation, control, and OT network systems supporting offshore oil and gas operations. They will provide expertise in troubleshooting, and lifecycle support for PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, networks, virtualized servers, and Windows systems. They will use engineering documents to validate control logic, loops, devices, and alarms. This role will work closely with operations, engineering, IT/OT, vendors, and field personnel to resolve complex issues.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working knowledge with AVEVA System Platform and WW InTouch applications, communications, historian interfaces, and operator graphics.
• Monitor control-system and OT network health and recommend reliability improvements.
• Support alarm rationalization, prioritization, testing, documentation, and nuisance-alarm reduction.
• Troubleshoot control systems and field instrumentation, including level, pressure, flow, vibration, and fire and gas devices.
• Follow programming, cybersecurity, Process Control, and Management of Change (MOC) requirements.
• Plan and document maintenance activities in SAP or other CMMS tools.
• Work with operations, engineering, IT/OT, vendors, and field teams to safely resolve issues and complete projects.

Required Qualifications:

• 2-year degree in Instrumentation, Automation, Electronics, or a related discipline, or equivalent technical experience with a strong safety record
• 7+ years of automation, controls, instrumentation, or related industrial experience
• 5+ years of experience in the oil and gas industry
• Advanced PLC programming and troubleshooting using ladder logic, function block, and structured text
• Advanced knowledge of HMI systems, industrial communications, and process instrumentation
• Working knowledge of OT networks, including Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, VLANs, managed switches, fiber optics, serial communications, and troubleshooting tools
• Working knowledge of Windows-based OT systems and virtualization, including hosts, networking, storage, backups, and high availability
• Ability to troubleshoot issues across PLC, HMI, server, network, communications, and field-device layers
• Knowledge of alarm management and applicable API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, and ISA standards
• Ability to read P&IDs, Cause and Effects, control narratives, network drawings, wiring diagrams, and loop drawings
• Ability to work extended shifts and travel offshore if needed (may require up to 10% travel)