Automation Lead - Digital Solutions

Weatherford; Dhahran Compound; On-site; SAR 131,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy services company in Saudi Arabia seeks an Automation Lead to oversee automation operations, manage field teams, and ensure safety and performance standards. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Automation, or Control Engineering, with 10-12 years of relevant experience, including leadership in automation roles. This position offers a mix of office and fieldwork with occasional travel in the GCC region.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10-12 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior automation role.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); Arabic is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Oversee installation, commissioning, and performance validation of automation systems.
• Lead automation operations for projects across the Geozones.
• Mentor and coach field engineers on automation best practices.

Skills

Automation systems

PLC

SCADA

Modbus

Project coordination

Leadership skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Automation, or Control Engineering

Job description

Job Overview

The Automation Lead will oversee and coordinate the planning, execution, and optimization of automation operations across Digital Solutions. This role focuses on managing the technical and operational aspects of automation deployment, leading a small team of field engineers, and ensuring high standards of safety, performance, and client satisfaction. While primarily office-based, the position includes periodic field visits for leadership oversight, audits, and critical commissioning phases.

Responsibilities

Operational Leadership

• Lead automation operations for projects across the Geozones.
• Oversee installation, commissioning, and performance validation of automation systems and drives.
• Support planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for automation projects.
• Supervise field teams and ensure compliance with HSE and operational excellence standards.
• Coordinate with Product Line, Service Delivery, and Project Management teams for execution alignment.

Technical Oversight

• Validate system architecture, communication interfaces, and network configurations.
• Review and approve automation configurations (VSD, PLC, SCADA, Cloud Integrations).
• Provide advanced troubleshooting guidance for complex system issues.
• Drive standardization of configurations, documentation, and commissioning checklists.
• Ensure data integrity and seamless connectivity between field devices and cloud systems.

People & Client Management

• Mentor and coach field engineers on automation best practices.
• Act as the primary automation focal point for client interactions and project updates.
• Support customer presentations, trials, and post-job performance reviews.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Innovation & Digital Enablement

• Collaborate with global Digital Solutions teams to deploy new technologies.
• Contribute to digital roadmap discussions and pilot project designs.
• Identify opportunities for automation upgrades and process optimization.

Documentation & Reporting

• Review project documentation, job reports, and commissioning records.
• Maintain project progress, system health, and team performance.
• Provide management with regular operational updates and improvement plans.

Work Environment

• 70-80% office-based (planning, coordination, client interface, documentation).
• 20-30% field-based (supervision, commissioning oversight, audits).
• Occasional travel within Saudi Arabia and GCC region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical, Automation, or Control Engineering.
• Minimum 10-12 years of relevant experience, with at least 2 years in a leadership or senior automation role.
• Proven experience with automation systems
• Strong understanding of PLC, SCADA, Modbus, and industrial communication protocols.
• Familiar with VSD programming, drive networks, and optimization systems.
• Excellent project coordination and leadership skills.
• Fluent in English (written and spoken); Arabic is an advantage.

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About Us

Weatherford is a leading global energy services company. Our world‑class experts partner with customers to optimize their resources and realize the full potential of their assets. Across our operating locations, including manufacturing, research and development, service, and training facilities, operators choose us for strategic solutions that add efficiency, flexibility, and responsibility to any energy operation.

When you join Weatherford, you instantly feel connected to something bigger – a community that is grounded by our core values and driven to create innovative solutions for our customers. We celebrate each other's successes, grow together, and learn from each other constantly. Individually, we are impressive. Together, we are unstoppable. We are One Weatherford.

Weatherford is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.