Automation Specialist III

The Bergaila Companies; Carlsbad (NM); On-site; USD 83,000 - 103,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bergaila Companies seeks an Automation Specialist III for our upstream oil and gas operations in Carlsbad, NM. You will be the technical SME responsible for installation, programming, calibration, and preventive maintenance of automation and electrical systems on site.

This mid-senior role requires hands-on expertise with PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, and field instrumentation, with a focus on reliability, safety, and uptime. Travel and shift rotation are part of the job.

Qualifications

• 5+ years Oil & Gas experience.
• 7+ years as Automation Specialist.
• 2-year instrumentation/automation degree or equivalent tech experience with safety record.
• Mastery of well RTU designs, programming and troubleshooting.
• Strong analog and discrete instrumentation knowledge.
• Proficient with serial and Ethernet communications protocols.
• Advanced PLC programming: Function Block, Ladder Logic, Structured Text.
• Knowledge of local HMI operator interfaces.
• Willing to work 12-hour shifts and travel as needed.
• Familiar with CMMS (SAP) to support maintenance workflows.
• MS Office and Windows OS proficiency.
• Adherence to API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA standards.

Responsibilities

• Own installation, programming, calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of automation and electrical equipment.
• Validate control logic to commission control systems and support field instrumentation.
• Support uptime, safety, and operational performance in the field.
• Collaborate with operations and maintenance teams during design reviews.

Skills

Oil & Gas experience

Automation expert

PLC programming

HMI programming

Serial protocols

Ethernet protocols

CMMS SAP

Safety compliance

P&IDs reading

Travel readiness

Education

Instrumentation/Automation degree

2-year degree GPA 2.5+

Equivalent technical experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Rosemount

SAP CMMS

Job description

Automation Specialist III (Mid-Senior Level) — Upstream Oil & Gas | Carlsbad, NM

Overview

If you’re an automation professional who thrives on solving real‑world control problems, improving system reliability, and bringing seasoned judgment to PLC and instrumentation design, this role is built for you. As an Automation Specialist III, you’ll serve as a technical subject matter expert for upstream onshore oil and gas producing operations—owning installation, programming, calibration, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of automation and electrical equipment. From validating control logic to commissioning control systems and supporting field instrumentation, your expertise will directly impact uptime, safety, and operational performance in the field.

Required Skills

• Minimum 5+ years of Oil & Gas experience
• 7+ years of experience as an Automation Specialist
• 2-year Instrumentation or Automation technology degree with GPA 2.5+ (or foreign equivalent) OR equivalent technical working experience with a strong safety track record
• Mastery of well RTU designs, including programming and troubleshooting
• Strong working knowledge of analog and discrete instrumentation
• Proficiency with serial and Ethernet communications protocols
• Advanced knowledge maintaining PLC programs in:
  • Function Block
  • Ladder Logic
  • Structured Text
• Advanced knowledge maintaining local HMI operator interfaces
• Ability to work safely and responsibly in and around instrumentation and electrical systems (including fit test for air and working from an aerial manlift platform)
• Ability and willingness to:
  • Work 12-hour shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call rotation
  • Travel to unassigned job areas as needed
• Familiarity with and ability to follow PLC programming practices, standards, and MOC procedures
• Proficient with CMMS (e.g., SAP) to support maintenance workflows
• Advanced knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Windows OS
• Working knowledge and adherence to applicable technical standards/guidelines (API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA, etc.)

Nice to Have Skills

• Experience with Allen-Bradley and Rosemount
• Ability to read, understand, and red‑line: Cause & Effects, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, control narratives, and related documentation
• Advanced troubleshooting of control networks for well sites and related infrastructure including:
  • ControlNet, Ethernet/IP, Network Switches
  • Fiber optics and RF communications
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills—able to collaborate effectively with management, technical teams, and field personnel
• Experience supporting design reviews and process hazard analysis

Preferred Education And Experience

• Preferred: 2-year Instrumentation or Automation technology degree (GPA 2.5+), or equivalent technical experience
• Preferred seniority: Mid-Senior / expert-level automation experience, including advanced PLC logic troubleshooting and commissioning/control validation in oil & gas environments

Other Requirements

• Travel: Willingness to travel to unassigned areas as needed
• Safety/field work: Ability to pass air fit test and work from an aerial manlift
• Location: Carlsbad, NM
• Duration:12+ months
• Target compensation:$69.00/hour

Ready to bring your PLC and controls expertise to an operation that values field‑proven problem solving?