Principal Process Automation Engineer

Airswift; Artesia (NM); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Airswift is seeking a Principal Process Automation Engineer for a long-term assignment in Artesia, New Mexico. The role is full-time onsite at a refinery, leading complex automation projects across the full lifecycle.

You will guide multidisciplinary teams, drive safe and sustainable operations, and deliver DCS, SIS, and PLC solutions with hands-on leadership.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in control systems, front-end engineering, and strong experience with Honeywell Experion and Rockwell PLCs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years leading control systems projects.
• Front-end engineering incl. project scope, control philosophy, systems architecture, SIL studies, and TIC estimating.
• Programming Honeywell Experion DCS.
• Programming PLCs (Rockwell).
• Develop TIC estimates and cost take-offs.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Instrumentation/Chemical or Computer Engineering.
• Desirable: mining/LNG/oil & gas, Cleopatra estimating, Honeywell TDC/Triconex, PE license.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of process automation projects from concept through handover.
• Provide technical leadership for automation implementation, including programming and configuration of control systems and leading delivery teams.
• Coordinate interfaces with engineering partners, construction contractors, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management, and technical disciplines.
• Prepare and support proposals, execution plans, and project budgets.
• Produce control narratives, cause and effect diagrams, and specifications for DCS, SIS, and PLC systems.
• Develop system cabinet layouts, wiring diagrams, and loading documentation.
• Deliver I&C deliverables including instrument datasheets, indexes, wiring diagrams, and system architecture documents.
• Support project success through quality delivery, cost awareness, customer satisfaction, and team collaboration.

Skills

DCS programming

Rockwell PLC

Honeywell Experion

Project leadership

Front-end engineering

P&ID development

TIC estimating

System architecture

Field instrumentation

FAT/SAT support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Computer Systems, or Chemical Engineering

Tools

Cleopatra estimating

Honeywell TDC

Triconex

Job description

Position Overview

Principal Process Automation Engineer – Long‑term assignment in Artesia, New Mexico (Start: August 2026). The role is full‑time onsite at a refinery, leading complex process automation projects throughout the entire lifecycle: concept, design, engineering, construction support, commissioning, validation, and handover.

As a senior technical leader, you will provide guidance across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability. The position is ideal for candidates with hands‑on delivery experience and strong team‑leadership skills on demanding capital projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of process automation engineering projects from concept through handover.
• Provide technical leadership for automation implementation, including programming and configuration of control systems and leading delivery teams.
• Coordinate interfaces with engineering partners, construction contractors, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, project management, and technical disciplines.
• Prepare and support proposals, execution plans, and project budgets.
• Produce process automation deliverables such as control narratives, cause and effect drawings, Boolean logic diagrams, and functional specifications for DCS, SIS, and PLC systems.
• Develop system cabinet layout drawings, wiring diagrams, system card layouts, and loading documentation.
• Deliver basic instrumentation and control documentation including instrument datasheets, instrument indexes, wiring diagrams, and system architecture documents.
• Support project success through quality delivery, cost awareness, customer satisfaction, work process improvement, and collaborative teamwork.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• 10+ years of experience leading control systems projects and managing teams within relevant industrial environments.
• Front‑end engineering experience, including project scope development, control system philosophy, systems architecture, process safety studies, SIL determination, P&ID development, and TIC estimating.
• Programming and configuring Honeywell Experion DCS.
• Programming and configuring PLC platforms, preferably Rockwell.
• Strong capability in developing Total Installed Cost estimates for capital projects, including material take‑offs and use of estimating tools.
• Ability to produce process automation and basic I&C deliverables, including specifications, indexes, datasheets, cause and effect diagrams, architecture documents, and wiring drawings.
• Detailed design experience covering selection, specification, and procurement of field instrumentation and BPCS/SIS systems.
• Field experience supporting construction management, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and handover.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline such as Electrical, Instrumentation, Computer Systems, or Chemical Engineering.

Desirable

• Experience in mining, LNG, petrochemical, oil and gas, or nuclear sectors.
• Knowledge of Honeywell TDC and Triconex.
• Experience with Cleopatra estimating software.
• P.E. licence.