Controls Engineer

Openwork, formerly Meador Staffing Services; La Porte (TX); On-site; USD 155,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Job summary

Openwork seeks a qualified Controls Engineer for a League City, TX facility. The role focuses on reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of automation systems in a large industrial operation. Local candidates only.

The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's in Electrical/Instrumentation/Automation Engineering and 5+ years of controls experience in petrochemical or heavy industry, with PLC/DCS expertise and experience with major platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of controls engineering experience in heavy industrial environments (petrochemical, refining, chemical manufacturing, LNG, etc).
• Strong knowledge of PLC/DCS platforms, instrumentation, and process controls.
• Experience with major platforms (Emerson, Honeywell, Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
• Experience in project documentation, coordinating contractors, and driving continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and control system projects from planning through startup, including upgrades and commissioning.
• Provide engineering support for PLCs, DCS, instrumentation, and process automation to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and vendors on technical solutions and budgeting.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex system issues and provide after-hours support when needed.

Skills

PLC/DCS

Instrumentation

Electrical controls

HMI

Project leadership

Rotating equipment

AutoCAD

Lean Six Sigma

FMEA

DMAIC

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Instrumentation/Automation

Tools

Emerson

Honeywell

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

Job description

We have a client seeking to fill a new role:

JOB TITLE: CONTROLS ENGINEER

JOB LOCATION: LEAGUE CITY, TEXAS (CLIENT WILL "NOT" RELOCATE" LOCAL CANDIDATES"

SALARY: $155 - 181K

HOURS: Works 9/80 Schedule

ADDITIONAL PERCS: Bonus

Our client is seeking an experienced Controls & Automation Engineer to support the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of automation systems within a large industrial operation. This is a highly visible engineering role that combines hands-on technical expertise with project leadership in a safety-driven environment.

What You'll Do

• Lead automation and control system projects from planning through startup, including system upgrades, commissioning, troubleshooting, and ongoing optimization.
• Provide engineering support for PLCs, DCS, instrumentation, electrical controls, rotating equipment, and process automation while improving equipment reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and vendors to develop technical solutions, manage project documentation, oversee installations, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex system issues, identify root causes, recommend long-term improvements, and provide occasional after-hours support when needed.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline, along with 5+ years of controls engineering experience in petrochemical, refining, chemical manufacturing, terminal operations, LNG, or other heavy industrial environments. Would consider experience over a degree.
• Strong knowledge of PLC and DCS platforms, industrial instrumentation, process controls, HMI systems, electrical troubleshooting, and automation technologies. Experience with Emerson, Honeywell, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, or similar platforms is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success managing engineering projects, preparing technical documentation, coordinating contractors, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. Experience with rotating equipment, compressors, turbines, robotics, AutoCAD, Lean, Six Sigma, FMEA, or DMAIC is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively across a multidisciplinary team.

This position includes both office and field responsibilities within an operating industrial facility. Candidates should be comfortable working in outdoor environments, climbing stairs and ladders, supporting startup and commissioning activities, and participating in periodic on-call support as required.