Sr. Automation Engineer (19710)

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

Job summary

Arion is seeking a Sr. Automation Engineer to lead control system design, implementation, and optimization for energy-sector projects in oil & gas. You will guide PLC/DCS strategies, SIS development for SIL compliance, and SCADA/HMI deployments across sites, with rigorous safety and industry-standard practices.

You will coordinate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, oversee commissioning, FAT, and field applications, ensuring reliability and safe, efficient operations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on engineering in continuous process industries (oil & gas, chemicals, or refining).
• BS or MS in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or computer science.
• Strong knowledge of control theory, PID loops, and process control.
• Experience with ISA, API and IEC standards; familiarity with industrial networking.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and specification of process control systems with detailed diagrams, functionality, and narratives.
• Develop, test, optimize, and maintain PLC/DCS control strategies and logic.
• Develop and manage alarm rationalization programs.
• Design, configure, and test SIS to meet SIL and industry standards.
• Design SCADA/HMI apps for real-time visualization and operator control.
• Engineer and maintain industrial network architectures with EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP/IP.
• Use simulation tools to validate designs and perform virtual commissioning.
• Lead root-cause analysis and preventative engineering solutions.
• Manage full lifecycle of automation projects from requirements to FAT.
• Performs related duties as needed.

Skills

Process control

PID control

PLC programming

SCADA/DCS

Project execution

Cross-functional teamwork

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's or MSc in chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or CS

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

DeltaV

Honeywell

Ignition

Job description

Job Summary: The Sr. Automation Engineer is a technical leader responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of control systems within the energy sector. This role applies deep expertise in process safety, instrumentation, and control system architecture to deliver complex projects from concept through execution. The position requires strong problem-solving capabilities and a focus on innovation to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and safety of client operations in oil & gas or similarly demanding industrial environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and specification of new and upgraded process control systems. This includes creating detailed P&ID diagrams, logic diagrams, cause-and-effect charts, and selecting appropriate field instrumentation and final control elements. (e.g., PLCs, HMIs, networking components), defining system layouts, and creating detailed control narratives.
• Develop, test, optimize, and maintain complex control strategies and logic within Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) using languages such as ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams.
• Develop and manage alarm rationalization programs.
• Design, program, and test Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) to ensure they meet required Safety Integrity Levels (SIL) and comply with industry standards.
• Design, configure, and deploy SCADA and HMI applications to provide intuitive operator interfaces, real-time data visualization, alarming, and intuitive system control over plant processes.
• Engineer and maintain industrial network architectures, ensuring reliable communication between devices using protocols like EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, and Modbus TCP/IP.
• Utilize simulation tools to validate system designs, optimize cycle times, and perform virtual commissioning.
• Serve as the primary technical expert for diagnosing and resolving complex issues related to automated equipment. Conduct root cause analysis on system failures and implement preventative engineering solutions to enhance reliability.
• Manage the full lifecycle of automation projects, including defining technical requirements, creating engineering drawings, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and overseeing commissioning and factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Performs related duties, as needed.

Qualifications

Qualifications / Education Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on engineering experience in a continuous process industry like oil & gas, chemicals, or refining
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemical, electrical, or mechanical engineering, or computer science
• Strong knowledge of control systems theory, including PID loops and process control.
• In-depth understanding of industrial networking protocols (e.g., Modbus TCP, PROFINET, OPC UA).
• Demonstrable experience within energy industry project execution, including programming, safety integration, and field application processes.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as ISA, API and IEC.
• Excellent analytical skills and a methodical approach to problem-solving.
• Possess good interpersonal skills and excellent verbal/written communication skills

Software

• Familiarity in PLC programming (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens, DeltaV, Honeywell).
• Competency in software development for industrial applications (e.g. Python, C#, Ignition, SQL, Visual Basic).
• Knowledge of Allen Bradley is a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) preferred.

Working Conditions

• Work is primarily conducted in an office environment but may require occasional travel to off-site work locations.
• Field duties may require outdoor work in a plant or facility.
• When on field assignment you may be required to work in a plant and/or shop areas around production machinery subject to varying temperatures and noise.
• May be at more than one job site in a day and must be able to tolerate climate changes.
• May be required to travel out of town on a periodic basis.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Reasonable Accommodation)

• Ability to lift and carry up to ten (10) pounds.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including sufficient clarity of speech, hearing, or other communication capabilities.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Sufficient visual acuity or other observational abilities to review documents, perform analysis, and conduct investigations.
• Sufficient manual dexterity to perform routine office tasks such as typing and using standard office equipment.
• Sufficient mobility to perform office duties and travel to off-site locations as needed.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) when visiting operational or field locations, as required by the safety department.