Automation Engineer III

Nabors Industries; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Canrig Drilling Technology seeks a highly skilled Controls Engineer to lead design, deployment, and support for land-based drilling rig control systems. You will work with Nabors engineering teams to integrate new tech and improve existing systems.

Requirements include 5+ years in drilling rig controls, PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Siemens), and HMI/SCADA expertise. Travel to yards and rigs is expected, with 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience designing and maintaining control systems for drilling rigs.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley preferred, but also Siemens).
• Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development.
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (ABB and GE Converteam preferred).
• Experience and understanding of Industrial PCs, Servers, networking and communications protocols.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Hands-on approach to solving problems.
• Knowledge of industry safety standards and regulations.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement advanced control systems for land-based drilling rigs and equipment.
• Participate in customer and vendor meetings and internal design reviews.
• Perform lab and shop floor set-up, integration testing, and acceptance testing.
• Troubleshoot drilling rig control systems to minimize downtime and optimize performance.
• Provide technical support to field technicians and operations teams.
• Ensure all control systems comply with safety standards and regulations.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation and user manuals.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI development

Industrial networks

VFDs

Electrical schematics

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering/Control Systems/Mechatronics

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View

OPC/Modbus/Ethernet/IP

Job description

Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.

Canrig Drilling Technology is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Controls Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for design support, implementation, deployment (I&C) and support for control systems for land-based drilling rigs. This role requires a strong understanding of drilling rig equipment and process, PLC hardware and programming, SCADA systems, industrial networks and communications, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD’s) and Power Systems, and HMI development to ensure efficient and safe drilling operations

• Design and Implementation:Support the development and implementation of advanced control systems for land-based drilling rigs and drilling rig equipment, including participation in customer and vendor facing meetings, and internal design and status reviews.
• System Support:Perform regular support activities such as lab and shop floor set-up, integration testing, factory and customer acceptance testing.
• Technical Support: Participate in and perform troubleshooting of drilling rig and associated equipment control systems to minimize downtime and optimize performance. Provide technical support and guidance to internal field technicians and drilling operations and support teams.
• Safety Protocols:Ensure all control systems comply with industry safety standards and regulations.
• Collaboration:Work closely with Canrig and Nabors engineering teams, and Nabors and 3^rd party operations teams to integrate new technologies and improve existing systems.
• Documentation:Prepare and maintain technical documentation for control systems and procedures, such as product documentation, functional requirements documents, software release documents, commissioning documents, etc.
• Training:Train and mentor junior engineers on control system design, implementation, and maintenance. Train and support field technicians on the deployment, set-up, and commissioning of drilling rig and drilling equipment control systems.

JA1

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in designing and maintaining control systems for drilling rigs.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley preferred, but also Siemens)
• Experience with SCADA systems and HMI development
• Experience with Variable Frequency Drives (ABB and GE Converteam preferred)
• Experience and understanding of Industrial PCs, Servers, networking and communications protocols
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Hands-on approach to solving problems
• Knowledge of industry safety standards and regulations
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities
• “Can Do” attitude

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience with controlling heavy rotating equipment using induction motors
• Experience in the drilling industry

BEHAVIORAL COMPENTENCIES

• Strong Field Troubleshooting skills
• Effective communication skills both verbal & written, both 1-1 and group situations
• Situational Leadership
• Time management

TECHNICAL COMPENTENCIES

• PLC : C++, RSlogix 5000, SLC 500, Omrom, Wago.
• HMI: Factory Talk View. Understanding for Rockwell software suite.
• Understanding of Hydraulics/ Pneumatics, AC drives and controls a plus (ABB/ Converteam/ Yaskawa)
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including OPC, MODBUS, Ethernet IP, and Profibus required.
• Software design and development experience.
• Ability to read electrical schematics.
• Understanding of various communication protocols Profibus, Modbus, OPC, Ethernet IP, etc.
• Strong hands-on hardware troubleshooting and software debugging skills.
• Basic knowledge of Cisco switches and configurations.
• Project management and presentation skills.
• Ability to extract and document requirements from user problem description.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS

• While this position is primarily based in a professional office environment
• Travel to yards and rigs is essential and required
• 25% travel is expected

• The position supports drilling rigs that work 24/7 and will routinely require phone availability outside regular work hours

Work Authorization Requirement:Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Nabors does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.