Automation Specialist

Oxy; Hobbs (NM); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxy seeks an experienced Automation Specialist for the Permian EOR Plants group, based in Denver City, TX. You will maintain and optimize plant automation systems, lead equipment troubleshooting, and collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to ensure safe, reliable production.

The role requires 2+ years in oil and gas automation, strong PLC/DCS skills, and the ability to mentor junior technicians while supporting outages and continuous improvements across instrumentation and control

Qualifications

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent working experience.
• Expert knowledge of oil and gas automation systems.
• Competent knowledge of oil and gas process facilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform local maintenance and manage vendors for automation.
• Represent Automation in plant maintenance communications.
• Understand plant processes to support the Plant team.
• Carry out corrective and predictive maintenance on automation equipment.
• Track maintenance costs and provide project quotes.
• Ensure PM documentation is accurate and stored centrally.
• Provide analytical support and troubleshooting for PLC/DCS systems.
• Support outages and coordinate with planners and schedulers.
• Mentor junior technicians on process flow and troubleshooting.

Skills

Automation design

Electrical design

DCS/PLC

Troubleshooting

Mentoring

Project management

Process control

Regulatory knowledge

HMI proficiency

Analytical skills

Education

2-year technical degree

Bachelor's degree in Automation or related

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Rosemount

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.

Automation Specialist

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.

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.

Additional 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 & Effects, 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.

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.