Senior Industrial Automation Lead

TAS Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

TAS Energy invites applications for a Senior Automation Engineer to oversee automation projects from concept through commissioning in a on-site Houston setting. The role requires leading systems design, testing, and implementation across PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and robotics, with emphasis on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has extensive PLC programming experience, strong instrumentation knowledge, and proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, vendors, and

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience designing and supporting industrial automation systems.
• Advanced PLC programming experience with platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or equivalent.
• Experience developing HMI and SCADA applications using platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, motor controls, variable-frequency drives, servos, robotics, and industrial control panels.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networks, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, OPC UA, or similar technologies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead automation projects through design, testing, commissioning, and production handoff.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, documentation, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of applicable electrical and machine-safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and commission industrial automation and control systems.
• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion-control, and robotic applications.
• Lead automation projects, including requirements gathering, CAPEX and ROI justification, project charter, system architecture, vendor coordination, installation, validation, startup and delivery to operations.
• Troubleshoot complex control-system, instrumentation, electrical, and network issues.
• Identify and implement improvements that increase safety, reliability, throughput, quality, and equipment availability, ensuring safety zones meet FSUs standards described in ANSI/RIA R15.06-201 and compatible with operations, quality, and HSE.
• Develop control narratives, functional specifications, electrical drawings, network diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Integrate automation systems with manufacturing, enterprise, historian, and data-collection platforms, establish programming, cybersecurity, documentation, backup, and change-control standards.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure systems comply with applicable safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and training to engineers, technicians, and operations personnel, supporting project creation, estimates, schedules, capital planning, and contractor management.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, IT, engineering, quality, and external system integrators.
• Participate in on-call or after-hours support when required for critical production systems.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by TAS

Skills

PLC platforms

HMI/SCADA

Automation networking

Instrumentation

Process controls

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Risk assessment

Documentation

Cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls Automation

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Schneider Electric

FactoryTalk

Ignition

WinCC

Wonderware

EtherNet/IP

Modbus TCP

PROFINET

OPC UA

Job description

TAS Energy invites applications for a Senior Automation Engineer to oversee automation projects from concept through commissioning in a on-site Houston setting. The role requires leading systems design, testing, and implementation across PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and robotics, with emphasis on safety, reliability, and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate has extensive PLC programming experience, strong instrumentation knowledge, and proven ability to manage cross-functional teams, vendors, and