Automation and Controls Engineer I

NES Fircroft; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft is seeking an experienced Automation and Controls Engineer to support offshore oil and gas operations from Houston. The role covers installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automation, control systems, and OT networks, with emphasis on PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and safety-critical devices.

You will collaborate with operations, IT/OT, and vendors, manage alarm rationalization, and ensure compliance with MOC and ISA standards while supporting offshore travel

Qualifications

• Requires 7+ years in automation, controls, instrumentation or related industry, 5+ years in oil & gas.
• Advanced PLC programming using ladder logic, function block, and structured text.
• Expertise with HMI systems, industrial communications, and process instrumentation.
• OT networks knowledge: Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, VLANs, switches, fiber, serial comms.
• Windows-based OT systems, virtualization, and high availability.
• Ability to read P&IDs, Cause & Effects, and network/loop drawings.
• Strong communication, documentation, and teamwork skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance management systems.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot automation, control, and OT networks.
• Support lifecycle management for PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and servers.
• Troubleshoot control systems and field instrumentation (level, pressure, flow, vibration, fire & gas).
• Assist with alarm rationalization, testing, documentation, and nuisance-alarm reduction.
• Ensure compliance with programming, cybersecurity, MOC, and API/ISA standards.
• Plan maintenance activities in SAP/CMMS and coordinate with operations and vendors.
• Travel offshore for projects and support offshore operations as needed.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI & instrumentation

OT networks

Windows OT systems & virtualization

P&ID & drawings reading

Alarm management

communication & teamwork

Education

2‑year degree in instrumentation/automation/electronics

Bachelor’s degree in automation/electrical engineering or related

Tools

AVEVA System Platform

SAP/CMMS

VMware/Hyper‑V virtualization

Job description

Description: POSITION SUMMARY: Experienced Automation and Controls Engineer supporting industrial control systems and OT networks. Provides troubleshooting, and lifecycle support for PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, networks, virtualized servers, and Windows systems. Uses engineering documents to validate control logic, loops, devices, and alarms. Works closely with operations, engineering, IT/OT, vendors, and field personnel to resolve complex issues. PRIMARY PURPOSE: Install, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot automation, control, and OT network systems supporting offshore oil and gas operations.

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

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS, AND COMPETENCIES:

• 2-year degree in Instrumentation, Automation, Electronics, or a related discipline with a GPA of 2.5 or higher (or foreign equivalent), or equivalent technical experience with a strong safety record.
• 7+ years of automation, controls, instrumentation, or related industrial experience, including 5+ years in oil and gas.
• 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.
• Strong communication, documentation, teamwork, and independent work skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and maintenance management systems.
• Ability to work extended shifts and on-call rotations and travel offshore by helicopter or marine vessel.
• Ability to meet offshore medical, safety-training, fit-testing, and physical requirements, including work at heights and from aerial lifts.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related discipline with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (or foreign equivalent).
• 9+ years of oil and gas experience, including 5+ years supporting upstream or offshore automation systems.
• Hands-on support of offshore PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, control panels, OT networks, and servers.
• Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix and Rockwell Ethernet/IP and DLR networks.
• AVEVA System Platform architecture, deployment, communications, historian integration, and troubleshooting.
• VMware or Hyper‑V virtualization and Windows administration in OT environments.
• Managed switches, VLANs, fiber links, redundant networks, firewalls, and remote access solutions.
• OT cybersecurity practices, including segmentation, access control, patching, backups, hardening, and recovery.
• Alarm management experience, including ISA-18.2 principles.
• Experience with Rosemount or similar process instrumentation.
• Ability to red‑line control, instrumentation, and network drawings.
• Strong teamwork, communication, and knowledge‑sharing skills.