Automation Specialist

Occidental Petroleum Corporation; Hobbs (NM); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Occidental Petroleum Corporation in the Permian Basin seeks an Automation Specialist to join the Permian EOR Plants team in Denver City, TX. You will perform maintenance activities, manage vendors, and support plant automation systems.

The role requires deep knowledge of PLC/DCS, instrumentation, and control networks, with 5+ years oil and gas automation experience. Travel may be required; strong problem-solving and mentoring skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent working experience required.
• Expert knowledge of oil and gas automation systems.
• Competent knowledge of oil and gas process facilities.
• Minimum of 5 years of Oil and Gas experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of Oil and Gas Automation experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of RTU designs, programming & troubleshooting.
• Intermediate knowledge of instrumentation & networking protocols.
• Knowledge of standards (API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA).
• Basic PLC programming (FB/ladder/structured text) and HMI maintenance.
• Ability to travel to unassigned job areas as needed.
• Safety-conscious around instrumentation and electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance activities at a local level; manage vendors and support services.
• Represent the Automation team in plant maintenance-related correspondence.
• Understand plant process, equipment, and design to support the Plant team.
• Perform corrective and predictive maintenance on automation equipment.
• Cost tracking and reporting for maintenance activities.
• Provide quotes for automation and maintenance projects.
• Ensure PM documentation is accurate and stored centrally.
• Provide automation support during outages and for plant systems.

Skills

Automation design principles

PSSRs & MOCs

EOR safe work systems

Electrical/Automation codes

Materials specifications

Regulatory guidelines

Leadership & mentoring

Pressure tolerance & teamwork

MS Office & proprietary software

DCS/PLC I/O knowledge

Programming and testing

Project management

Education

2-year technical degree or equivalent

Bachelor's in Automation/EE (preferred)

Tools

Allen-Bradley equipment

Rosemount equipment

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.com. 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.

Automation Specialist

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to fill the position of Automation Specialist within our Permian EOR Plants group based in Denver City, TX.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance activities at a local level; directly manage maintenance vendors and support services.
• Represent the Automation team in plant maintenance-related correspondence.
• Understand the plant process, equipment, and design that best support the Plant team.
• Perform both corrective and predictive maintenance on all automation equipment.
• Accountable for maintenance cost tracking and reporting.
• Provide accurate quotes for automation and maintenance projects.
• Ensure all PM documentation is accurate and complete for all automation equipment and stored in a central location.
• Perform operational and maintenance support of analyzers in the plant (GCs, CEMS, Dewpoint, O2).
• Communicate all maintenance activities with the Plant Planner and Scheduler Team.
• Mentor and train junior Automation Technicians on process flow and PLC, HMI, and end device troubleshooting.
• Respond and provide automation support during all outages.
• Work off of assigned schedule and maintain no out-of-compliance work orders.
• Provide Plant DCS and PLC troubleshooting support.
• Provide analytical support on plant problems and input on new technologies.
• Ensure plants are maintained in an orderly manner, including proper management of PLC programs, PLC panel wiring, and cleanliness of automation equipment.

Skills

• Expert level understanding of automation and electrical design principles.
• Understanding of PSSRs and MOCs.
• Extensive expertise in EOR safe work systems.
• Extensive expertise of Electrical/Automation construction codes and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of material specifications and application.
• Understanding of regulatory guidelines.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to perform under pressure and work effectively within a team environment.
• Advanced computer skills (MS Office Suite, Oxy proprietary software, etc.).
• Knowledgeable with tagging conventions, programming simulation, and testing.
• Strong time management, written, oral, and project management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of DCS and PLC; understanding of digital and analog I/O, programming, and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent working experience required.
• Expert knowledge of oil and gas automation systems.
• Competent knowledge of oil and gas process facilities.
• Minimum of 5 years of Oil and Gas experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of Oil and Gas Automation experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of well RTU designs, programming, and troubleshooting.
• Intermediate knowledge of analog and discrete instrumentation, and various serial and Ethernet communication 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.
• Works safely around instrumentation and electrical systems with the ability to work with limited supervision.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of Oil and Gas experience with strong electrical background and state-accredited license.
• 1+ years of upstream oil and gas automation experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley & Rosemount equipment.
• Ability to read and understand Cause & Effect, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and control narratives.
• Basic ability to troubleshoot control networks for well sites, well pads, tank batteries, 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 work with management, technical, and field personnel.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Oxy produces energy and essential products to sustain and improve life on our planet. Our experienced teams, located in the United States, Middle East and Africa, are committed to safe and efficient operations and products, and to reducing our carbon footprint and helping others do the same. We are busy developing the big ideas and broad solutions we will need to achieve net zero. Every day, we get closer. And we won’t stop until we’re there.