Automation Specialist

Oxy; Denver City (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxy is seeking an experienced Automation Specialist for our US Onshore Resources & Carbon Management unit in Denver City, Texas. You will install, test, and calibrate automation equipment, support commissioning, and provide on‑site instrumentation expertise to startups and ongoing operations.

The role requires experience with RTU designs, PLCs, and process control standards, and includes collaboration with project teams to maintain safety and performance in field facilities.

Qualifications

• 2-year degree in Instrumentation or Automation or equivalent safety‑oriented experience.
• Oil field experience is preferred with safe work practices.
• Experience with control systems, sensors, and field instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Install, test, and calibrate automation equipment per design specs.
• Perform device checks and coordinate commissioning with project managers.
• Provide on‑site automation support during startup and operation.

Skills

RTU design

Instrumentation

PLC programming

HMI interfaces

Safety compliance

MS Office

Education

2-year Instrumentation/Automation degree

Bachelor’s in Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Rosemount

ControlNet

Ethernet/IP

Job description

Oxy produces, markets and transports oil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. The company leverages its global leadership in carbon management to advance lower‑carbon technologies and products. Headquartered in Houston, Oxy primarily operates in the United States, Middle East and North Africa. To learn more, visit Oxy

Oxy strives to attract and retain talented employees by investing in their professional development and providing rewarding opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to meet the highest employer standards by ensuring the health and safety of our employees, protecting the environment and positively impacting our communities where we do business.

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to fill the position of Automation Specialist within our US Onshore Resources & Carbon Management (ORCM), Production Operations Business Unit based in Denver City, Texas.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Responsible for proper installation, function tests and calibration of all automation equipment meeting engineering design specifications on facilities
• Responsible for point‑to‑point and loop checks on all devices
• Support coordinating oversight of automation commissioning with Project Manager
• Support project status reporting to ensure entry on project tracking tool
• Provide on‑site automation support on facilities during start up when production is introduced to the facility
• Serve as technical resource for facility controls systems and field instrumentation including level, pressure, flow, vibration, and other instruments
• Ensure commissioning activities are executed in compliance with relevant industry and company Process Control standards
• Ensure compliance with MOC process
• Identify problem areas with instrumentation and control systems and report to automation engineering for improvement opportunities

Qualifications

• 2‑year Instrumentation or Automation technology degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher (or foreign equivalent), or equivalent technical working experience with a good track record of safety
• 3+ years of Oil Field experience
• Intermediate knowledge of well RTU designs, programming and troubleshooting
• Intermediate knowledge of analog and discrete instrumentation, and various serial and ethernet communications protocols
• Intermediate knowledge of technical standards and guidelines (API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of maintaining PLC programs in function block, ladder logic, and structured text
• Basic knowledge of maintaining local HMI operator interfaces
• Ability and willingness to travel to unassigned job areas on an as-needed basis
• Ability and willingness to work under air (fit test) and work from aerial manlift platform
• Works safely around instrumentation and electrical systems
• Capable of working responsibly with limited supervision
• Intermediate knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and Windows Operating Systems

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation with GPA of 3.0 or higher (or foreign equivalent)
• 5+ years of Oil Field experience
• Strong electrical background with State Accredited license
• 1+ years of upstream oil and gas automation experience
• Experience with Allen-Bradley & Rosemount
• Able to read and understand Cause & Effects, P&ID's, wiring diagrams, control narratives, etc.
• Basic ability to troubleshoot control networks for well sites, well pads, tank battery, saltwater disposal and compressor stations (ControlNet, Ethernet I/P, Network Switches, fiber optics, RF communications)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with management, technical, and field personnel
• Builds positive relationships based on trust and seeks collaboration across organizational boundaries to achieve goals
• Listens actively and invites new ideas for exchanged opinions, then influences and acts to drive positive performance and achieve results

Relocation will not be provided

Occidental does not offer sponsorship of employment‑based nonimmigrant visa petitions for this role

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.