Lead AI & Emerging Tech Architect

Targa Resources

Midland (TX)

On-site

USD 140,000 - 210,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Targa Resources is seeking a Principal/Sr. Engineer to lead AI and Emerging Technology initiatives across operations in Midland, TX. You will pilot AI/ML, build data pipelines, and coordinate with IT/OT, EAM, and field teams to scale solutions with measurable KPIs and safety compliance.

You’ll evaluate startups, perform technical diligence, and guide co-development opportunities. You will partner with investment teams and operations to drive adoption, ensure reliability, and deliver value

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, CS, Data Science or related field (or equivalent industry experience).
7+ years in midstream oil & gas or industrial operations focusing on operations, technology, or innovation.
Proven experience deploying AI/ML solutions in operational environments.
Strong understanding of SCADA, Maximo, Measurement, and asset performance systems.
Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills.
Ability to travel frequently across Targa’s operational regions and respond to urgent matters outside standard business hours.
Familiarity with regulatory frameworks (DOT/PHMSA, EPA, OSHA) and how AI & Emerging Technology can support compliance and performance.
Familiarity with pipeline, compressor, gas plant, and fractionator operations and how AI & Emerging Technology can support enhanced performance.

Responsibilities

Lead identification, prioritization, and piloting of new technologies including AI/ML and digital twins across assets.
Maintain a prioritized backlog of AI use cases mapped to organizational KPIs.
Partner to build reliable real-time data pipelines for model deployment.
Coordinate with resources to develop, test, and deploy AI/ML models.
Provide tracking and updates on testing progress; maintain logs of decisions.
Support investment partners to scout startups and translate business needs into technical requirements.
Lead technical diligence for ventures and partnerships, covering architecture, data flows, and security.
Define pilot/POC scope, success criteria, test plans, and measurement strategies.
Own execution during pilots and post-investment; coordinate stakeholders and ensure handoff to steady-state operations.
Drive feedback loops with startups to influence roadmap and co-development.
Partner with IT/OT to operationalize MLOps practices and documentation.
Establish KPIs and cost/benefit analyses; present findings to leadership.
Support change management and AI literacy across the organization.
Collaborate with EAM, Reliability, MI, Corrosion, OT/SCADA, and Pipeline teams to align AI initiatives with business needs.
Drive cultural adoption of AI through rapid prototyping and feedback loops.
Ensure AI initiatives align with safety, compliance, reliability, and efficiency goals.
Engage with Commercial, Engineering & Construction, and ES&H teams to align efforts with strategic objectives.
Conduct field visits to evaluate adoption opportunities.
Serve as SME for monitoring, maintenance, and continual development of deployed AI technologies.
Perform other duties as assigned.