Automation Technician

Brunel

Carlsbad (NM)

On-site

USD 37,000 - 42,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Vision insurance

Medical insurance

Job summary

A leading company in the oil and gas industry is seeking an Automation Technician for a 1-year contract in Carlsbad, NM. The role involves maintaining and troubleshooting automation systems, with responsibilities including programming PLCs and providing on-site expertise. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in instrumentation and automation technology, along with relevant field experience.

Qualifications

3+ years as an Automation Specialist with oil-field experience.
Advanced understanding of well-site RTU design and programming.
Intermediate ability to maintain PLC programs.

Responsibilities

Install, program, calibrate, maintain, and repair automation and electrical equipment.
Troubleshoot and repair PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, and associated instrumentation.
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance according to industry standards.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Diagnostics

Maintenance

Programming

Calibration

Education

Associate degree in Instrumentation or Automation Technology

GED

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View

Job description

2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Brunel is recruiting an Automation Technician to work with our client for initially 1 year contract.

As a Mid-Level Automation Technician, you will combine solid entry-level technical skills with advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics to keep the onshore production facilities running safely and efficiently.

You will interpret engineering design documents, commission new control systems, validate control loops, configure field devices, and test alarms—clearly explaining control-logic functionality and recommending solutions when system performance is affected.

Responsibilities:

Install, program, calibrate, maintain, and repair a wide variety of automation and electrical equipment that supports company’s upstream oil-and-gas production assets.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, and associated instrumentation (level, pressure, flow, vibration, etc.).
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance in accordance with company's and industry standards (API, NEC, NFPA, ISA, IEEE).
Provide on-site automation expertise for well pads, tank batteries, salt-water-disposal and compressor stations.
Serve as the facility controls subject-matter expert, identifying improvement opportunities that enhance uptime and safety.
Develop and modify PLC logic (ladder, function block, structured text) and local HMI graphics.
Commission and validate control loops, alarms, and interlocks using engineering documentation (P&IDs, Cause & Effect matrices, control narratives).
Leverage SAP or other CMMS tools to plan, track, and document maintenance activities.
Follow Management-of-Change (MOC) procedures and company's PLC programming standards.
Work safely around energized electrical and instrumentation systems—including confined-space and man-lift work—while adhering to all corporate and regulatory requirements.
Participate in the rotating on-call schedule; work 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree in Instrumentation or Automation Technology or at least a GED- 3+ years as an Automation Specialist and 3+ years of oil-field experience.
Advanced understanding of well-site RTU design, programming, and troubleshooting.
Advanced knowledge of analog/discrete instrumentation and serial/Ethernet protocols.
Intermediate ability to maintain PLC programs (ladder, function block, structured text) and local HMIs.
Proficiency with Rockwell Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk View.

Work Requirements:

Ability to travel to remote sites, work under supplied air, and operate from aerial platforms.
Capable of working independently with limited supervision.
Intermediate skills in Microsoft Office and Windows OS.

Preferred Qualifications:

7+ years of oil-field experience, including 3+ years focused on upstream automation.
Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley and Rosemount equipment.- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and Cause & Effect charts.
Intermediate proficiency in troubleshooting control networks (ControlNet, EtherNet/IP, fiber optics, RF).
Strong interpersonal skills; able to build trust, collaborate across disciplines, and drive positive performance.

Seniority level