Instrumentation & Automation Engineer )

Neilsoft Limited; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Attractive work-life balance options

Individual development opportunities

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

Neilsoft Limited is seeking a skilled Instrumentation & Automation Project Engineer to join our team in Houston. You will manage and oversee automation solutions across multiple facilities, focusing on project initiation, technical oversight, and team leadership. The ideal candidate will possess a degree in electrical engineering and have 5–10 years of relevant experience. This position offers an exciting opportunity to work on diverse projects within an international environment that values collaboration and development.

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of hands-on experience in instrumentation and automation.
• Proven track record of managing technical projects.
• Willingness to travel occasionally between client plant locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope and budget estimates.
• Lead the development of system architectures and validate testing protocols.
• Supervise hardware/software installation and manage loop tuning.

Skills

Project Management

Technical Expertise

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering or related field

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Emerson DeltaV

Rockwell Automation

Job description

Location: Houston / Dallas / Oklahoma City / Tulsa

Neilsoft GmbH is looking for a highly skilled Instrumentation & Automation (I&A) Project Engineer to join our engineering team at a client office location in the USA. Neilsoft GmbH is the European branch of Neilsoft, a global engineering and digitalization partner with more than 1,500 employees worldwide, supporting leading companies in construction, process, and manufacturing industries to make their projects more efficient, smarter, and digital. This role blends technical expertise and strategic leadership, focusing on end‑to‑end delivery of automation solutions across our three main production sites. The ideal candidate bridges complex engineering design and disciplined project management to keep facilities at the forefront of technological efficiency.

Project Initiation & Strategic Planning

• Conceptualization: Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, resource allocation, and budget estimates.
• Feasibility & ROI: Conduct site assessments and gap analyses to replace legacy systems, developing business cases with clear ROI and risk profiles.

Engineering & Technical Oversight

• System Design: Lead the development of system architectures, integrating SCADA, PLCs, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) while ensuring compliance with SIL and environmental standards.
• Platform Selection: Evaluate and select DCS platforms based on scalability and cybersecurity requirements.
• Procurement: Manage vendor evaluations, RFPs, and contract negotiations to ensure cost control and supply chain resilience.
• On‑Site Integration: Supervise hardware/software installation using phased cutovers or hot swaps to minimize disruption to ongoing plant operations.
• Validation: Oversee rigorous testing protocols, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Start‑up: Manage loop tuning, alarm management, and operator training to ensure a safe transition to live operations.
• Optimization: Provide post‑go‑live hypercare, monitoring KPIs and fine‑tuning system performance for long‑term reliability.
• Decommissioning: Oversee safe removal of legacy assets and data archiving in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary point of contact for senior management, clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Team Leadership: Lead cross‑functional teams of engineers, technicians, and contractors, fostering a culture of safety and collaboration.
• Compliance: Ensure all activities adhere to industry standards and internal quality assurance protocols.

Your Profile

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, automation technology, mechatronics, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: 5–10 years of hands‑on experience in instrumentation and automation within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Project Management: Proven track record of managing technical projects, comfortable with Gantt charts, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills in English, and a proactive problem‑solving mindset.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel occasionally between the three client plant locations.

Preferred Attributes

• Certification: Recognized project management certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, or IPMA).
• Technical Stack: Experience with major platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Emerson DeltaV, or Rockwell Automation.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with ATEX/Ex‑proof requirements and functional safety.

We Offer

• A modern, collaborative work environment in an international company.
• Exciting and diverse projects with long‑term prospects.
• Attractive work‑life balance options and individual development opportunities.