Senior Automation Engineer

Job Description

An O&G Operator in The Woodlands, TX is looking for a Senior Automation/Controls Engineer to join their Automation Engineering team. The Senior Automation/Controls Engineer will support the client's offshore O&G assets in the Gulf of America and need a strong Management of Change (MOC) background to serve as the technical authority for automation‑related changes across the oil and gas facilities. In this role, you will independently evaluate, approve, and govern automation changes impacting control systems, instrumentation, and automation software. You will play a critical role in ensuring changes are safe, compliant, and aligned with company standards, with direct influence on facility safety, reliability, and operability. This is a core, long‑term engineering position requiring deep technical expertise, sound judgment, and the confidence to make autonomous decisions in a regulated operating environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Management of Change (MOC) Leadership -

*Serve as the automation engineering focal point for automation‑related MOCs across operating facilities.

*Independently review and approve automation scope within MOCs, including:

-Control system logic and configuration

-Automation software changes

-Instrumentation and system integration impacts

*Exercise independent technical judgment on:

-Design acceptability

-Risk mitigation measures

-Implementation readiness

*Ensure all automation changes comply with company Automation Standards, specifications, PSPGs, and applicable regulatory requirements.

*Participate in MOC risk reviews, hazard analyses, and resolution of automation‑related technical issues.

*Verify that automation testing, validation, documentation, and MOC close‑out requirements are fully completed.

Automation & Controls Engineering Support -

*Provide automation and controls engineering support to facilities implementing approved MOCs.

*Review and validate:

-PLC / DCS control logic

-HMI modifications

-Alarm management changes

-Control system integration impacts

*Support commissioning, testing, and startup of automation changes.

*Ensure automation modifications preserve the integrity of safety functions, protection layers, and overall operational reliability.

Standards, Documentation & Governance -

*Apply and enforce company Automation Standards, specifications, and engineering practices across all MOC activities.

*Review and approve automation engineering deliverables associated with change implementation.

*Support audits, compliance reviews, and lessons‑learned initiatives related to automation MOCs.

*Ensure engineering documentation and control system records accurately reflect implemented changes.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration -

*Work closely with Operations, Process Engineering, Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I), Projects, and HSE teams.

*Interface with Automation Technical Authorities (TAs) as needed while maintaining accountability for day‑to‑day technical decisions related to MOCs.

*Provide clear technical guidance to stakeholders on automation impacts, risks, and implementation requirements.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to View email address on click.appcast.io learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy:

Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Instrumentation, Automation, Controls, or equivalent).

• 10–15+ years of oil and gas industry experience in automation and control systems supporting operating facilities and/or capital projects.

• At least 2 years in a role with primary responsibility for automation‑related MOCs, including independent technical review and approval authority.

• Demonstrated ability to make independent technical decisions affecting safety, compliance, and operational reliability.

• Strong working knowledge of:

-PLC and DCS control systems

-Automation architectures

-Instrumentation and control system lifecycle management

• Experience in upstream, offshore, or other regulated operating environments.