Automation specialist

Kent; Fort McKay; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kent is seeking an Automation Specialist to support the Kearl Project in Fort McKay, Alberta. The role leads commissioning automation scope, coordinates with asset teams and vendors, and ensures safe integration and testing of automation systems according to approved narratives and project requirements.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in Automation/Controls, strong PLC/DCS expertise, and experience with FAT/SAT/SIFT/SIR testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in Automation, Controls, Commissioning, or Start-up environments.
• Strong understanding of PLC and DCS systems, control narratives, and testing methodologies (FAT/SAT/SIFT/SIR).
• Experience supporting large-scale construction or EPC projects is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, planning, and implementation of the Commissioning Automation scope.
• Coordinate Automation Vendor resourcing with the Asset team support.
• Ensure information for mobilization is accurate and complete for Contractors.
• Review PLC-related ITPs, FAT procedures, check sheets, and test reports.
• Witness and support vendor FAT activities and verify program mapping to control narratives.
• Conduct gap analyses between control narratives and vendor programs; ensure deficiencies are tracked.
• Support SIR bench testing and SIFT testing to validate hardware/software mappings.

Skills

PLC & DCS systems

Control narratives & EEA/COF

FAT/SAT/SIFT/SIR testing

Automation change management

Industrial networks

Serial interfaces

System architecture

English communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Join us. Unleash your energy within. If you have world-class ambitions to reach the stars while keeping your feet on the ground, we’re the team for you. We've created a new breed of company – future-focused with reimagined ambition across all disciplines within the energy sector.

About you: Join us. Unleash your energy within. If you have world-class ambitions to reach the stars while keeping your feet on the ground, we’re the team for you. We've created a new breed of company – future-focused with reimagined ambition across all disciplines within the energy sector. We love people who know their own potential and are not afraid to use it. We know that together, we’re far more than the sum of our parts. So, we celebrate people who want to grow and develop as we work together on some of the largest projects on the energy world stage. We are committed to our diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop. From day one, we offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee networks to support staff from different backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. We’re a disability-friendly employer and can make adjustments to support you to perform at your best during the recruitment process.

Our purpose and beliefs:

As Kent, we’re tackling the greatest challenge of our time - to bring our world the energy it needs in the most responsible way ever imagined. It’s the energy of every member of our team driven by our beliefs that is making this happen. Whatever our skill, our language, or our culture. These beliefs define and direct us every day to be the very best - for ourselves, our clients, our key stakeholders, the communities we operate in and the planet:

• We PLAY BIG
• We thrive on EMOTIONAL AGILITY
• We are FANATICAL ABOUT PERFORMANCE
• We are built on INFINITE THINKING

Read more about the Purpose, Beliefs and Guiding Principles that drive us:

Our vision for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging:

We recognise that diversity & inclusion are catalysts for success. We’re heightening awareness on the benefits of people diversity, diversity of experiences and diversity of our perspectives. Creating a culture of inclusivity where all employees feel a sense of belonging. Our combined energy is fueled by different nationalities, across 6 continents and 24 countries. Our commitment is to celebrate character – no matter what ethnic background, gender, age, religion, identity, or disability.

About the job:

Kent is looking for an Automation Specialist to support the Kearl Project in Fort McKay, Alberta. The Automation Specialist plays a criticalrole in leading the development, planning, and execution of the Commissioning Automation scope. Working closely with the Site Manager,Asset teams, Automation Vendors, Commissioning Contractors, and Operations stakeholders, this role ensures automation systems aresafely integrated, tested, and commissioned in accordance with approved engineering deliverables, control narratives, and projectrequirements. This position requires strong technical capability, attention to detail, and the ability to operate independently within established commissioning, automation, and governance frameworks. This position will be based at the project site.

Skills and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

• Commissioning Automation & Project Support
• Lead the development, planning, and implementation of the Commissioning Automation scope.
• Coordinate Automation Vendor resourcing with support from the Asset team.
• Ensure Commissioning Contractors have the correct information prior to mobilization to efficiently execute scope.
• Notify Asset resources (DCS / PLC teams) of upcoming key dates and required site support.

• Automation Design Review & Testing
• Review and ensure seamless integration of automation designs prior to field implementation.
• Review PLC-related ITPs, FAT procedures, check sheets, programs, and test reports issued by vendors.
• Witness and support vendor FAT activities, including verification of programs against approved control narratives.
• Verify mapping between end devices, PLCs, and DCS systems.
• Complete gap analysis between project control narratives and vendor programs.
• Ensure deficiencies identified during testing are captured within the Project SCDB and interface with responsible parties to close actions.
• Ensure compatibility, functionality, and reliability of serial interfaces.
• Support equipment SIR bench testing (DCS to data concentrator) to allow field contractors to focus on DCS-to-end-device testing.
• Support SIFT testing by pushing signals from the PLC end and verifying mapping to the DCS.

• Automation Change Management & Risk Support
• Validate necessity and safety-related consequences of automation bypasses.
• Review and validate Automation Change Logs for accuracy.
• Provide site inputs into Instrument General Queries (IGQs) submitted by contractors.
• Manage late engineering deliverables and third-party equipment integration.

• Systems, Processes & Compliance
• Apply systems completion and start-up lessons learned from previous projects.
• Provide dynamic commissioning support, including system surveillance and automation input to Control Room Operators.
• Provide feedback on hardware, software, and network architecture.
• Enhance control narratives and collaborate with stakeholders to resolve deficiencies.
• Assess operator user interfaces to align with industry standards.
• Define and verify network online timing requirements and validate network acceptance criteria.
• Ensure the latest engineering and project deliverables are available and utilized, including PLC programs, control narratives, and serial interface reports.
• Lead troubleshooting activities and communicate issues to all stakeholders.
• Assess automation-related risks and define mitigation plans.
• Validate Cause & Effect (C&E) and control narrative checksheets.
• Witness automation-related SAT activities (e.g., HVAC).

Your knowledge/skills, education, and experience:

Knowledge/ Qualification/ Training/ Certification:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in Automation, Controls, Commissioning, or Start-up environments.
• Strong understanding of: PLC and DCS systems, Control narratives and Cause & Effect documentation, FAT, SAT, SIFT, and SIR testing methodologies, Automation change management and system integration.
• Experience supporting large-scale construction, commissioning, or EPC projects is preferred.
• Strong understanding of industrial networks, serial interfaces, and system architecture.

Communication:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical automation issues, risks, and resolutions to project stakeholders.
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, multi-disciplinary site environments.

Behavior/Core Competencies:

• High level of accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and a continuous improvement mindset.

HSSEQ:

The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Details about the role:

Location: Fort McKay, Alberta – Kearl Site
Relocation required: No
Travel required: Yes 2&2 rotation format