Regional Automation Leader

Boardwalk Pipelines; Channelview (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Drug-free workplace

Pre-employment drug testing

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Boardwalk Pipelines, LP in Channelview, TX, seeks a Regional Automation Leader to serve as the regional automation technical advisor for liquid pipelines and facility assets. Provide automation authority, direction, and decision support across Operations, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, Cybersecurity, commissioning, contractors, and vendors.

This role requires extensive travel and hands-on engineering leadership.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industrial automation or control systems experience in liquid or gas transmission facilities.
• Strong knowledge of liquid pumping facilities, station operations, and related equipment.
• Hands-on proficiency with PLC/HMI platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Citect, Wonderware).
• Ability to read and review control logic, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and schematics.
• Experience supporting distributed assets and providing technical support remotely.
• Ability to influence outcomes without direct authority across multiple groups.
• Willingness to travel ~70% of the time.
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced on-call and onsite troubleshooting for PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation and power systems.
• Investigate failures and develop corrective and preventive measures for high-impact issues.
• Develop and support control systems for pumps, stations, and SCADA equipment.
• Lead review and approval of automation deliverables and diagrams.
• Develop scopes of work, budgets, procurement strategies, and testing plans.
• Support FAT/SAT, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities.
• Manage automation projects including costs, contractors, and scheduling.
• Ensure compliance with NEC, hazardous area classifications, and company standards.

Skills

Industrial automation

Automation leadership

PLC/HMI expertise

Control systems knowledge

Electrical power systems

Remote troubleshooting

Communication skills

Independency/initiative

Education

HS Diploma and relevant job experience

Associate’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

Citect

Wonderware

Job description

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Boardwalk is a limited partnership operating in the midstream portion of the natural gas and natural gas liquids industry, providing transportation and storage services for our customers. Our 14,000 miles of pipeline and storage assets provide diverse market connectivity to producers and end-users who need reliable sources of natural gas for power generation, home heating or petrochemical feedstocks. We have the experience, knowledge, and flexibility to design service offerings and create system enhancements tailored to our customers’ needs throughout the 13 states in which we operate. As an organization focused on sustainability, we are committed to protecting the environment while delivering this energy source. This commitment is made to our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate. We incorporate environmental stewardship, safety, and compliance into our day-to-day operations and seek to strengthen and support the communities we serve. Additional information about the company can be found online at www.bwpipelines.com.

We are currently looking for a Regional Automation Leader for our Channelview, TX office.

Position Summary

Purpose

Serve as the regional automation technical leader and subject matter expert for liquid pipeline and facility assets. Provide automation authority, direction, and decision support across Operations, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, Cybersecurity, commissioning, contractors, and vendors. Ensure automation systems are designed, implemented, operated, and maintained to be safe, reliable, compliant, secure, and supportable throughout the asset lifecycle. This position has no direct supervisory responsibility and influences outcomes through technical leadership, collaboration, and sound risk-based recommendations.

Travel Requirements

Extensive regional travel, approximately 70%, primarily within the assigned support area with day trips and periodic overnight travel. Field presence is required during critical activities such as Factory Acceptance Testing, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.

Environmental, Health & Safety

Promote a healthy work environment and participate in programs and initiatives designed to prevent injuries, accidents, and property damage. Participate as the automation subject matter expert in process hazard analysis, safety reviews, job hazard analyses, risk assessments, incident or equipment-failure investigations, and applicable regulatory or audit activities. Ensure required training remains current.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advanced on-call and onsite troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution for PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, electrical power systems, communications, and automation network issues.


• Resolve high-impact automation reliability and availability issues; investigate failures, upsets, and abnormal operating conditions; and develop corrective and preventive measures.


• Develop, modify, commission, maintain, and support control systems for pump units, generators, station PLC/HMI and SCADA systems, automation networks, and related ancillary equipment.


• Lead or participate in the review and approval of automation and electrical deliverables, including process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, plot plans, safety documentation, electrical one-lines, grounding, conduit and cable design, cause-and-effect documents, I/O schedules, panel drawings, bill of materials, network architectures, and power and communications schematics.


• Develop automation scopes of work, budgetary cost estimates, procurement strategies, commissioning plans, and project recommendations that align with operational standards and long-term maintainability.


• Lead or support vendor Factory Acceptance Testing, Site Acceptance Testing, functional testing, construction quality inspections, commissioning, startup, SCADA checkout, documentation turnover, and operational readiness.


• Champion and manage assigned automation projects, including approvals, costs, forecasting, contractor coordination, installation oversight, commissioning, completion, and closeout responsibilities.


• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, hazardous area classifications, NEC requirements, company standards, Operations and Maintenance procedures, work instructions, and automation documentation requirements.


• Support secure architectures, practical operational controls, and modernization of obsolete PLCs, HMIs, networks, and vendor systems.


• Lead the technical development and support of regional Instrumentation & Electrical (I&E) personnel through training, coaching, mentoring, knowledge transfer, technical roundtables, evaluations, and qualification support.


• Support Operator Qualification and technical qualification programs through evaluations, validations, and assessments; participate as an automation SME on interview panels.


• Coordinate across Operations, Area Management, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, IT/OT, vendors, and contractors; participate in kickoff, design, construction, and commissioning reviews; and provide clear written recommendations and risk-based decision support.

Required Skills, Knowledge, And Experience

• 7+ years of industrial automation or control systems experience in liquid or gas transmission, pipeline, terminal, plant, or related industrial facilities.


• Strong knowledge of liquid pumping facilities, station operations, ancillary equipment, industrial control systems, instrumentation, and electrical power systems.


• Hands-on proficiency with PLC and HMI platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Citect, Wonderware, or equivalent systems.


• Ability to read, develop, or review control logic, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, electrical one-lines, schematics, cause-and-effect tables, I/O schedules, panel designs, BOMs, and network architectures.


• Knowledge of switchgear, VFDs, motor starters, generators, conduit and cable sizing, hazardous area classifications, NEC, and industrial electrical standards.


• Experience supporting geographically distributed assets and providing advanced technical support both locally and remotely.


• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes without direct authority and to work effectively across Operations, Engineering, SCADA, IT/OT, contractors, and vendors.


• Strong logical problem-solving, root cause analysis, written communication, verbal communication, and documentation skills.


• Ability to work independently, respond to critical field needs, and travel approximately 70% of the time.


• Valid driver license and clean driving record.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge, And Experience

• 10+ years supporting PLC-based control systems in a liquid pipeline, terminal, or plant environment.


• Experience specifying, designing, installing, testing, and commissioning control systems, end devices, electrical equipment, SCADA systems, and automation networks.


• Experience leading FAT, SAT, functional testing, commissioning, startup, and operational-readiness activities.


• Experience managing automation projects, budgets, forecasts, contractors, scopes of work, and field installations.


• Experience developing and delivering I&E or automation training and supporting technical qualification or Operator Qualification programs.


• Experience participating in PHAs, safety reviews, risk assessments, incident investigations, or PHMSA regulatory and audit support.

Required Education

• HS Diploma and relevant job experience

Preferred Education

• Associate’s degree in technical field

Additional Information

Boardwalk Pipelines, LP, maintains a drug-free workplace and will require pre-employment drug & substance abuse testing before hiring.

Boardwalk Pipelines, LP, is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.