USS - PLC Technician

Ensignenergy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a PLC Technician, where you will play a vital role in the automation of drilling rigs globally. This position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, utilizing your technical and analytical skills to ensure the successful deployment and maintenance of control systems. You'll collaborate closely with engineering and operations teams, providing both remote and on-site support. With a focus on safety and efficiency, you'll help deliver world-class solutions while traveling to various field locations. If you're ready to take on a challenging yet rewarding role in the oil and gas industry, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Qualifications

• 5+ years in electrical oil and gas industry.
• Experience with PLCs, SCRs, VFDs, and control systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support control systems for drilling rigs.
• Troubleshoot systems both remotely and on-site.
• Maintain accurate documentation and provide training.

Skills

PLC Programming

Electrical Engineering

Troubleshooting

Networking

Communication Skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Technical Certificate in Automation

Associate's Degree in Industrial Maintenance

Tools

Process Meters

PLC Systems

Measurement Equipment

Job description

Posted Sunday, April 20, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Job Summary

The PLC Technician is part of Ensign Energy Drilling Solutions, a small team responsible for the planning, design, field installation and support of drilling rig automation and controls systems across all of Ensign’s fleet globally.

The PLC Technician while on rotation (14 days On/14 days Off), is responsible for ensuring that all systems and components of the drilling rig controls are properly installed and thoroughly tested according to specification and customer expectations.

This position requires the use of technical and analytical skills to assist in the development, deployment, and maintenance of drilling rig automation and drilling rig control systems, remote communications kit, and applications in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

The PLC Technician position is also responsible for testing and troubleshooting drilling performance optimization systems in the field.

The successful candidate will be required to travel to Ensign's field offices, rig construction facilities and drilling rigs working in the field.

Internals Relationships

The position will work closely with those in a leadership role on deployment of projects, provide technical consulting, develop electrical controls systems, and provide remote as well as on-site technical support across Ensign’s global drilling divisions.

This position reports directly to the Drilling Solutions Operations Manager.

• Work and interface with engineering and operations teams to determine detailed design and best practices.

External Relationships

The position will work closely with internal customers, and in occasion with external customers, therefore the PLC Technician is accountable for:

• Representing the Drilling Solutions team in the rig-up yard, on site at 3rd party locations, and on site at rig-drilling locations.

• Work with internal and external teams to deliver a world-class rig controls package.

Essential Functions

The PLC Technician is responsible and accountable for the following:

• Assist in the development of control systems for drilling rigs and train field personnel onsite as required.

• Assist in the deployment and support of remote access communications systems.

• Efficient in maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation to the prescribed standard

• Identify, develop and deliver field training as required.

• Rotational on-call point of escalation.

• Able to perform physically demanding work including climbing several stairs/steps, working at heights, and lifting equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to communicate orally and in written form clearly and persuasively, able to respond well to questions and concerns

Other Duties, Responibilities and Accountabilities

Administrative:

Consistently and actively comply with all Ensign policies, processes, and procedures such as:

• Business Ethics – Understands fully Ensign’s ethics policy and its application in all business dealings including contractual agreements and contract negotiations

• Business Policies - Understands and agrees to follow all of Ensign’s Policy and Directives and procedures as set forth in the Ensign Company Policy and Basic Directives Handbook for Employees

• Certifications – Maintains technical and safety certifications required by company or government agencies; remains current on all OSHA, EUSD and other required training

• Drug-free workplace - Conforms to a drug-free workplace, not be under the influence of mind-altering prescription or non-prescription drugs, including alcohol and other drugs of abuse.

• Occupational Health and Safety – Understands fully the Ensign Health and Safety policy and self-responsibility for own health and safety at work.

o Demonstrates responsibility to avoid adversely affecting the health and safety of others through any act or omission

o Uses the correct protective clothing and equipment as provided by Ensign and guards against misuse or damage to such equipment

o Reports any hazardous situations arising in the workplace that cannot be self-corrected, or injury incurred during the course of work, no matter how minor

• Avoids injury resulting from manual handling tasks, by use of risk assessment, correct mechanical handling equipment and correct manual handling techniques

The PLC Technician is responsible and accountable for the following:

• Deploy and commission PLC based control systems hardware and software on drilling rigs globally as an individual or as part of a team (this will require travel to field locations).

• Survey rigs to understand equipment requirements for integration.

• Troubleshoot remotely and on-site when systems are down or malfunctioning.

• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gather and analyze information skillfully, develop alternative solutions, work well in problem-solving situations.

• Provide product improvement feedback to development teams.

The PLC Technician is expected to behave in manner that represent the company and his Team appropriately, this means:

• Ability to work as a leader and be an individual contributor member of the Drilling Solutions team.

• Work comfortably and efficiently with field personnel onsite.

• Able to work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Maintain a professional attitude while working in intense environments with internal and external customers.

• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands

• Ability to change approach or method to best fit the situation, able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events

• Be able and willing to travel domestically or internationally to the field or other office locations as required.

• Position is rotational and will require working on occasion overnight

• Possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

• Possess a U.S. passport.

• Identify and assess customers’ needs to achieve satisfaction

• Follow communication procedures, guidelines and policies

• Able to balance team and individual responsibilities, to give and welcomes feedback, and contributes to building a positive team culture

• Build sustainable relationships and trust with customer accounts through open and interactive communication

Minimum Education and Experience

Education:

• Minimum – Highschool diploma or equivalency (GED)

• Preferred – A technical certificate or associate’s degree in Automation, Controls, Industrial Maintenance, etc. preferred but not required.

• A two-year associate’s degree or a certificate program in drilling engineering technology from a vocational or technical school

o Or a technical associate’s certificate or equivalent (vocational, apprenticeship or journeyman certification of a transferable skill)

o Additional instruction, such as professional industry-approved training courses

• Optimal – A Bachelor of science degree in any field of study – A Plus but Not Required

Experience:

• 5 years’ experience in electrical oil and gas industry experience.

• Experience and familiarity working with PLCs, SCRs, VFDs, MCCs, and control system network interfaces preferred.

• Ability to use a process meter to source/simulate analog control signals

• Familiarity with common industrial serial coms (Modbus/Profibus/RS232/etc.) and how to diagnose problems

• Ability to read electrical schematic and ladder diagrams.

• Experience with instrumentation and measurement equipment and systems.

Qualifications

A successful PLC Technician possesses the following minimum competencies:

• Basic understanding of:

o Networking and electronics.

o Drilling equipment (DW, MP, TD systems).

o Drilling operations.

• Proficient using Windows software.

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

• Oilfield services experience an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (If applicable, include physical / mental requirements, extreme weather conditions, etc.)

Physical requirements: The PLC Technician position can be a physically demanding, manual labor intensive, and technically challenging position while out in the field. The field is a high-noise and weather-exposed environment which requires above average physical stamina, strength as the majority of the functions require extensive walking and climbing ladders.

o Medium work – which is defined as frequent lifting/or carrying objects in excess of 25 lbs.

o Frequent climbing, bending/stooping, twisting, crouching, squatting, kneeling

o Must be able to climb and descend stairs and work safely around moving parts

o Ability to operate motor vehicles (physically and legally)

Other Requirements:

o Be mentally alert to the workplace surroundings for an entire shift

o Quickly recognize and communicate hazards, alarms, and warnings

o Accurately communicate problems, solutions, instructions, questions, and ideas

Ensign’s operating entities in the United States are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. Ensign provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.