Automation Specialist

Socket.dev; Jayton (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oxy is seeking an experienced Automation Specialist to join the Permian EOR Plants group based in Denver City, TX. You will perform local maintenance, supervise vendors, and support the Plant team with process knowledge and automation expertise.

The role requires strong PLC/DCS troubleshooting, instrument maintenance, and mentorship of junior technicians. You will contribute to cost tracking, project quotes, and ensure accurate PM documentation while maintaining safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent required.
• 5+ years Oil and Gas experience required.
• Experience with PLC, HMI, and end devices.
• Knowledge of API, NEC, NFPA, ISA standards preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance activities at a local level; manage maintenance vendors.
• Represent Automation team in plant maintenance 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 PM documentation is accurate and stored in a central location.
• Provide Plant DCS and PLC troubleshooting support.
• Mentor and train junior Automation Technicians on process flow and PLC, HMI, and end device troubleshooting.
• Respond and provide automation support during outages.
• Work off of assigned schedule and maintain no out-of-compliance work orders.

Skills

Automation design

Electrical design principles

PSSRs & MOCs

EOR safe work systems

Regulatory guidelines

Leadership & mentoring

Troubleshooting

PLC/DCS knowledge

Time management

Analytical skills

Education

2-year technical degree or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Automation or Electrical Engineering

State-accredited license (preferred)

Tools

Allen-Bradley equipment

Rosemount equipment

HMI/SCADA systems

ControlNet / Ethernet I/P networks

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 AutomationSpecialist 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 Automationteam 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 allautomationequipment.
• Accountable formaintenancecost tracking and reporting.
• Provideaccuratequotes forautomationand maintenance projects.
• Ensure all PM documentation isaccurateand complete for allautomationequipment 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 juniorAutomationTechnicians on process flow and PLC, HMI, and end device troubleshooting.
• Respond and provideautomationsupport during all outages.
• Workoff ofassigned schedule andmaintainno out-of-compliance work orders.
• Provide Plant DCS and PLC troubleshooting support.
• Provide analytical support on plant problems and input onnew technologies.
• Ensure plants aremaintainedin an orderly manner, including proper management of PLC programs, PLC panel wiring, and cleanliness ofautomationequipment.

Skills

• Expert level understanding ofautomationand electrical design principles.
• Understanding ofPSSRs and MOCs.
• Extensiveexpertisein EOR safe work systems.
• ExtensiveexpertiseofElectrical/Automationconstruction codes and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of materialspecifications andapplication.
• Understanding ofregulatory 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 experiencerequired.
• Expert knowledge of oil and gasautomationsystems.
• Competent knowledge of oil and gas process facilities.
• Minimum of 5 years of Oil and Gas experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of Oil and GasAutomationexperience.
• 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 ofmaintainingPLC programs in function block, ladder logic, and structured text.
• Basic knowledge ofmaintaininglocal 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 inAutomation, 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 gasautomationexperience.
• 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 communicationand 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.