Specialist, Control Systems

NextDecade Payroll Services, LLC; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

NextDecade is seeking a Specialist, Control Systems to safely execute control systems activities at the RGLNG facility in Brownsville, TX. You will work across disciplines, ensure safe and compliant operations, and support system upgrades and maintenance planning.

The role requires LNG facility experience, strong SIS/ESD knowledge, and hands-on maintenance of DCS/SIS and PLCs. You will collaborate with operations, vendors, and engineering to optimize control strategies and maintain safety.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; 5+ years post-qualification experience.
• Experience interpreting Engineering Drawings and Documentation (P&ID, ISO, GA, Logic, etc).
• Experience with Safety Critical Elements (SCE) testing to meet regulatory compliance.
• Experience writing/updating Safety Critical testing procedures.
• Strong knowledge of SIS and emergency shutdown systems (ESD).
• CMMS knowledge (SAP or similar).
• Experience with MOC processes and LNG maintenance in control systems (DCS/SIS, PLCs).
• Familiarity with LNG export facility operations and field instrumentation.
• Knowledge of network protocols: Ethernet/IP, Modbus RTU/TCP, OPC, HART.

Responsibilities

• Safety-first execution of control system activities and maintenance.
• Diagnose faults in control systems, instruments, and networks.
• Assist in system upgrades, migrations, and modifications to improve reliability.
• Coordinate with operations, engineering, vendors for updates and hardware replacements.
• Support maintenance planning and review of documentation (WI, JSA, SWMM).
• Participate in HSSE meetings and pre-starts for maintenance tasks.

Skills

SIS/ESD knowledge

CMMS (SAP or similar)

MOC process

DCS/SIS PLCs

LNG maintenance experience

Instrumentation & field devices

TWIC eligibility

Electrical drawings interpretation

Safety-critical testing

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering / instrumentation / automation or related

Tools

ABB 800xa

MarkVI

Ethernet/IP

Modbus

OPC

HART

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Specialist, Control Systems is responsible for conducting the safe execution of Control Systems activities, including breakdowns, corrective and preventative maintenance, at the RGLNG facility. All work is to be completed with safety and quality as a priority, ensuring the safe and sustainable operation of the Asset. This position is located in Brownsville, TX.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Demonstrate proactive safety in all aspects of the role.
• Always uses safe work practices and follows NextDecade life saving rules and permitting processes.
• Maintains a high focus on safety and wellbeing of execution team, leads by example to set and maintain a positive safety culture of compliance and continuous improvement for Graduates and Contract employees
• Communicates and works with all maintenance disciplines as required, not just the Controls team, including Electrical, Mechanical, Plant Services, Planning, Specialist Vendors and Contractors upholding the One-Team approach
• Execute control system activities for all SCE control and function testing, in line with Statutory, and Federal Regulations and manage associated compliance processes including deferals, backlog etc.
• Write, review and update Safety Critical functional testing procedures as required
• Ensure NextDecade control system protocols are followed with respect to Bridging/Forcing and MOC procedures
• Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Control System activities.
• Diagnose and resolve faults in control systems, instruments, and communication networks.
• Assist in system upgrades, migrations, and modifications to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Work with operations and process engineers to optimize control loops and automation strategies.
• Support tuning of PID controllers and other control algorithms
• Coordinate with vendors and engineering teams for software updates and hardware replacements.
• Initial support and continued review of Preventative & Corrective Maintenance Plans aligned to the equipment selected for this facility.
• Particpate in the reviewing of maintenance and controls documentation, such as WI’s, JSA’a and SWMMs, Permitting, red-lining of documents.
• Safely execute all Controls related maintenance activities at the RGLNG facility including breakdowns, corrective and preventative maintenance.
• Complete all required maintenance reporting, including updating the CMMS system as following company work processes.
• Ensure personal training and competency is up to date.
• Provide support during the Major Maintenance Turnaround events as reuired.
• Attend all the required maintenance execution meetings, including HSSE meetings, pre-starts, work allocation tasks, toolboxes etc.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES

• Basic Requirements: High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• 5+ years of post-qualification experience.
• Competent at interpreting Engineering Drawings and Documentation i.e. P&ID, ISO, GA, Logic, Control Narratives, Cause & Effect, Loop & Wiring, etc
• Must have experience with the function testing and inspection of Safety Critical Elements (SCE) to meet Statutory and Federal Regulatory compliance.
• Experience in writing and reviewing/updating Safety Critical functional testing procedures.
• Strong knowledge of SIS and emergency shutdown systems (ESD).
• Relevant working knowledge of CMMS systems (SAP or Similar)
• Experience developing Safety Critical Maintenance procedures.
• Exceptional working knowledge of an MOC process.
• Relevant Control Systems LNG maintenance experience including Integrated Control & Safety Systems (DCS / SIS), PLC’s, ABB 800xa and MarkVI is a must.
• Knowledge of flow computers, analyzers, gas turbines, fire & gas detection systems, control valves, anti surge control, and field instrumentation knowledge is required.
• Knowledge of communication network protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus RTU or TCP, OPC, HART, etc
• Ability to get a Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC).
• Preferred Requirements: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Instrumentation, Automation, or related field.
• 5+ years LNG Export Facility experience in a Controls Maintenance Technician role.
• 10+ years' experience in Oil & Gas/Petrochemical industries.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted and push/pull with up to 50 pounds of force.
• Required to grip objects with up to 50 pounds of force.
• Frequent standing, walking, balancing, climbing stairs and ladders.
• Regular reaching, bending, stooping, handling and spinal twisting.
• Use of hands, arms and legs to lift.
• Ability to push and pull machinery and other mechanical components.

Site Working Conditions & Physical Expectations

Work Environment Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. Operates in a complex construction environment. Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions. Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions. Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits. Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction. Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios. Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations: Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required. Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations. Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift. The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities. Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance.

Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods. May be required to enter confined spaces. May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. *In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, the customers, and all our stakeholders.
• Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. NextDecade will deliver reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions. With approximately 48 million tonnes per annum of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction and in development at its Rio Grande LNG site, NextDecade is positioned to one of the largest LNG liquefaction and export companies in the world. In addition, NextDecade through Rio Grande LNG, is creating thousands of jobs and driving economic growth in South Texas, supporting global energy security, and expanding U.S. energy dominance. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.