Automation Specialist

Job Title: Automation Specialist II - Oil & Gas Pipeline Operations (Travel Position)Job Description

The Automation Specialist II supports automation, controls, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities across Oil & Gas pipeline and compression facilities nationwide. This hands-on field role focuses on designing, programming, integrating, and maintaining industrial control systems that support pipeline transportation and compression operations. The position involves extensive travel to remote and operating facilities across the United States, working both independently and collaboratively to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation of critical energy infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement industrial control systems that support pipeline and compressor station operations.
• Develop PLC programs using Ladder Logic, Function Block, and Structured Text for industrial applications.
• Configure, test, and troubleshoot Human Machine Interface (HMI) applications for field and control room operations.
• Create and maintain control narratives, I/O lists, bills of materials (BOMs), and detailed control system documentation.
• Design communication networks utilizing Ethernet/IP and other industrial networking protocols to connect PLCs, HMIs, and field devices.
• Perform system integration between PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, drives, analyzers, and other field devices.
• Support SCADA system integration and data communication between pipeline and compression facilities.
• Lead field commissioning and startup activities at operating pipeline and compressor station facilities.
• Execute Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), loop checks, and functional testing to validate control system performance.
• Develop test procedures and simulation logic to confirm proper operation of automation and control systems.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and communication issues during startup and commissioning.
• Verify that control systems meet design specifications, operational requirements, and safety standards.
• Respond to service calls and emergency outages to restore control system functionality and minimize downtime.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, instrumentation, networking, and controls failures in the field.
• Support planned shutdowns, turnarounds, maintenance projects, and facility upgrades related to automation and controls.
• Work directly with operations and maintenance personnel to optimize system performance and reliability.
• Coordinate with construction and installation teams during project execution to ensure proper implementation of control systems.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and field personnel to successfully execute projects on schedule and within scope.
• Participate in customer meetings to define project requirements, operating objectives, and technical expectations.
• Provide technical training and guidance for operations and maintenance teams on control systems and automation equipment.
• Mentor junior automation and controls personnel to develop their technical skills and field competence.
• Support proposal development and technical scope reviews by contributing automation and controls expertise.
• Consistently apply industrial safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout, hazardous energy control, and permit-to-work systems, during all field activities.
• Perform job safety analyses and follow process safety management principles when working around natural gas compression equipment, high-pressure pipelines, and electrical systems.
• Adhere to hot work procedures, confined space awareness, and other safety requirements while working in operating facilities.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 4+ years of industrial automation and controls experience.
• Minimum 4+ years of PLC programming experience in industrial environments.
• Experience supporting Oil & Gas, pipeline, compressor stations, midstream, power generation, chemical processing, or other industrial facilities.
• Proven experience commissioning and troubleshooting industrial control systems in the field.
• Experience supporting startup and commissioning activities for automation and control systems.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline; or an Associate Degree in a technical field with relevant experience; or equivalent industrial automation experience in lieu of formal education.
• Strong proficiency with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• Hands-on experience using Studio 5000 and RSLogix for PLC programming and configuration.
• Ability to develop and modify HMI applications using FactoryTalk View and PanelView platforms.
• Solid understanding of industrial networking, including Ethernet/IP, managed switches, and network troubleshooting.
• Practical knowledge of industrial instrumentation, including pressure, temperature, flow, and level devices.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, loop sheets, and control narratives.
• Demonstrated commitment to industrial safety and compliance, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety practices, hazardous energy control, job safety analysis (JSA), and permit-to-work systems.
• Awareness of confined space requirements, hot work procedures, and process safety management (PSM) principles.
• Physical ability to walk extended distances, climb ladders and stairs, lift and carry equipment, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and stand for extended periods.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 6+ years of industrial automation experience, especially in field-based roles, is preferred.
• Oil & Gas pipeline operational experience is highly beneficial.
• Compressor station controls experience is a strong asset.
• SCADA system experience, including integration and troubleshooting, is preferred.
• Ignition SCADA platform experience is advantageous.
• AutoCAD proficiency for reviewing and updating drawings is beneficial.
• Experience with gas measurement and custody transfer systems is preferred.
• Knowledge of alarm management principles and control system cybersecurity practices is an asset.
• Previous leadership or technical lead experience in automation and controls is preferred.
• Ability to mentor and train junior personnel and operations staff on automation systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently at remote field locations.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with project teams, operations personnel, and customers.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 90% of the time to pipeline and compression facilities across the U.S.

Work Environment

This role is primarily field-based and involves extensive travel to active Oil & Gas pipeline and compressor station environments across the United States. The position typically requires working 50-60 hours per week and supporting long-term project assignments at various facilities. Work is frequently performed outdoors in varying and sometimes extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, and remote locations. Employees regularly access elevated platforms and stairs and navigate uneven terrain while working around natural gas compression equipment, rotating machinery, high-pressure pipelines, electrical systems, noise, vibration, dust, airborne particulates, hydrocarbons, and industrial chemicals. The role requires consistent adherence to safety procedures and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including flame-resistant (FR) clothing, hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toe boots, gas detection equipment, and additional PPE as required. The environment offers exposure to cutting-edge industrial automation technologies and critical energy infrastructure, with significant opportunities for overtime, travel-based work, and involvement in complex commissioning and troubleshooting activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $65.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.