Sr Engineer, Process Controls Automation

Phillips 66 Company; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 141,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VCIP bonus

401k match

Health benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

Phillips 66 in Houston, TX is seeking a Sr Automation Engineer to design, implement, and optimize automation solutions across complex facilities. You will lead projects, mentor technicians, and collaborate with stakeholders to improve safety, reliability, and performance.

The role requires 5+ years in automation, experience with DCS/PLCs, and familiarity with Rockwell, Siemens, Foxboro or DeltaV. Willingness to travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in automation.
• Proficiency in PLC/DCS configuration and troubleshooting.
• Familiar with NEC/NFPA 70 standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and implement automation solutions.
• Lead capital projects for automation systems with safety and reliability in mind.
• Develop scripts, frameworks, and workflows to improve processes.
• Support DCS/PLC hardware and software, HMIs, RTUs, and safety systems.
• Mentor technicians and contractors, document IO lists and drawings.
• Travel to facilities for commissioning and FAT/SAT activities.

Skills

Automation

PLC/DCS

Industrial protocols

Safety systems

NEC/NFPA 70

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Instrumentation or related field

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

Foxboro

DeltaV

Job description

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At Phillips 66, we care about the whole person. That means providing access to quality programs, resources and care that support you and your family. We believe well-being — physical, emotional, social and financial — plays an important role in helping our people thrive. When our employees are supported at every stage of life, they’re empowered to do their best work and make a meaningful impact, both personally and professionally.

Sr Engineer, Process Controls Automation

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77042

Job Field: Engineering

Phillips 66 & YOU - Together we can fuel the future What to Expect

Join a forward-thinking team driving automation excellence across complex industrial environments. As a Sr Automation Engineer, you’ll be at the forefront of designing, implementing, and optimizing automation solutions that enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability. Expect to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, lead impactful projects, and continuously develop your technical and leadership capabilities in a dynamic, growth-oriented setting.

What You'll Do

• Design, program, configure, test, and implement automation solutions for manual and business processes
• Lead and execute capital projects for automation systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards and company guidelines
• Analyze business processes and recommend automation strategies, including lifecycle management and optimization
• Develop reusable automation scripts, frameworks, and smart workflows to replicate and improve processes
• Architect, implement, and support distributed control systems (DCS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), and human-machine interfaces (HMIs)
• Architect, implement, and support functional safety systems (BMS & ESD)
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and enhance automation equipment and systems, ensuring safety and reliability
• Direct and mentor technicians and contractors in the construction and enhancement of automation systems
• Conduct technical studies, feasibility reviews, and process hazard analyses to determine optimal automation solutions
• Lead integration efforts for data collection, system optimization, and communication infrastructure
• Produce and maintain project documentation, including I/O lists, alarm databases, control narratives, and drawings
• Support and implement information security measures for automation cyber assets
• Participate in incident investigations, technical committees, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Travel to facilities as needed, supporting operations and commissioning activities, including Factory and Site Acceptance Tests (FAT/SAT)

What You'll Bring

• Legally authorized to work in the job posting country
• 5+ years of relevant experience in automation
• Intermediate proficiency in PLC/DCS configuration, industrial communication protocols, and troubleshooting
• Expertise in process control optimization, tuning, and sequential functions
• Familiarity with NEC/NFPA 70 standards
• Willingness to travel (30–50%), including outdoor work in varying conditions

What Makes You Stand Out

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Instrumentation, Electronic Communications, Industrial Electronics, or related field
• Preferred 10+ years of relevant experience in automation
• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, optimize work processes, and ensure accountability in high-stakes environments
• Experience with at least one of the following automation platforms: Rockwell, Siemens, Foxboro, Delta V.
• Tech-savvy mindset, anticipating and adopting innovations in automation and digital technologies
• Exceptional communication skills, building strong relationships and delivering clear, concise information to diverse audiences
• Proven track record of driving results, making quality decisions, and thriving in ambiguous or challenging situations
• Experience with Burner Management Systems and Emergency Shutdown (ESD) systems
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying ahead of industry trends
• Strong project management, contractor management, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, with proven leadership and mentoring capabilities

Compensation Range

This position has a base salary range of $141,300 - $172,700.

At Phillips 66, we are committed to pay transparency and competitive, equitable compensation. Each role is assigned a salary grade with a defined pay range, benchmarked against industry peers. Where a candidate offer falls within the posted range depends on the candidate's experience, skills, and alignment with the role’s requirements. Offers are made to ensure internal equity and market competitiveness. Our compensation programs are designed to reward performance and support career growth.

Midstream

The Phillips 66 Midstream business is a safe, reliable, and trusted provider for the movement, storage, gathering, and processing of liquid or gas energy via pipelines or terminals. We are an industry leader in logistics and operate or manage more than 70,000 miles of pipelines that transport crude oil from oil fields to refineries and finished products from refineries to storage terminals. We operate 39 terminals that supply finished products to consumer gas stations, as well as crude oil and NGL storage terminals and NGL fractionation facilities. Our capabilities include extensive natural gas gathering and processing operations, enhancing our wellhead-to-market strategy. We also provide the connectivity between the various Phillips 66 business units.

Total Rewards

At Phillips 66, providing access to high quality programs and care for you and your family is important to us. Maintaining a culture of well-being — physical, emotional, social, and financial — is essential for a high-performing organization. When we are at our best, we are poised to deliver exceptional results — personally and professionally. Benefits for certain eligible, full-time employees include:

• Annual Variable Cash Incentive Program (VCIP) bonus
• 8% 401k company match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits with an annual company contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees on HDHP
• Total well-being programs and incentives, including Employee Assistance Plan, well-being reimbursement, and backup family care services

Phillips 66 has more than 140 years of experience in providing the energy that enables people to dream bigger and go farther, faster. We are committed to improving lives, and that is our promise to our employees and our communities. We are sustained by the backgrounds and experiences of our diverse teams, which reflect who we are, the environment we create and how we work together. We have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign, U.S. Department of Labor and the Military Times for our continued commitment to inclusive practices and policies in the hiring and retention of those in the LGBTQ+ community and military veterans. Our company is built on values of safety, honor and commitment. We call our cultural mindset Our Energy in Action, which we define through four simple, intuitive behaviors: We work for the greater good, cultivate an environment of trust, seek different perspectives and pursueexcellence.

Learn more about Phillips 66 and how we are working to meet the world's energy needs today and tomorrow, by visiting phillips66.com.

Phillips 66 is an Equal Opportunity Employer