Automation Engineer

Posted Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Kinetik is strategically located in the heart of the Delaware Basin in the Permian, one of the fastest growing areas for oil and gas development in the world. We provide the gathering, compression, processing, transportation and water management services required to bring natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil to market and are dedicated to providing the best service and netback for our customers. We are driven to be best-in-class and committed to growing our existing assets in the Permian Basin through both greenfield and acquisition opportunities.

Kinetik employees have decades of experience in West Texas and provide all the important services our customers need to deliver gas and crude oil production to market, which include gathering, transportation, compression, processing and produced water management.

Schedule: Monday – Friday, after hours as-needed to support business continuity

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Sr. Automation Engineer maintains the plant and field control systems assigned to them to provide a safe and compliant operation of the assets. The Sr. Automation Engineer oversees and directly supervises the work done by the I&E Technicians and contract personnel assigned to them.

• Supervises I&E Technicians and contract personnel regarding the troubleshooting and/or repair of the facility control systems to assure proper, safe, and compliant operation of the plant and pipeline facilities. Also, identifies and detects any malfunctions/failures of the equipment or software and takes corrective action to repair.
• Responsible for maintaining the program records/files and necessary licenses associated with the logic controllers (PLC’s), control system servers, and HMI equipment as well as the associated OT networking equipment, for the plant and field control systems in their assigned area.
• Perform control system programming and commissioning of new facilities and other projects as time allows.
• Perform duties as subject matter expert regarding the establishment of control system standards implementation and evaluation.
• Cooperates with the IT and Measurement departments regarding the maintenance and design of the field and plant communication networks.
• Cooperates with the Engineering department personnel on the design and functionality of field and plant control systems.
• Provides costs as needed for budgetary planning for any control system upgrades, projects, as well as software support and licensing.
• Responds as needed to emergency or urgent issues regarding the facility control and communication systems.
• Makes recommendations to the Automation Manager regarding potential improvements to the control systems.
• Assists with evaluating control system software and hardware support agreements.
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor
• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures
• All other duties as assigned.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Associates or higher-level degree preferred
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers
• Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Must have relevant experience and extensive knowledge in the programming of Allen-Bradley PLC’s, Controllers, Panelview and Redlion HMIs.
• Must have relevant experience and extensive knowledge in the programming of OT network equipment such as switches and gateways.
• Must have relevant experience and knowledge in the programming of SCADA systems such as Wonderware and Clear SCADA.
• Must have relevant experience and knowledge in commonly used industrial communication protocols and standards such as Ethernet IP, Modbus and serial communications.
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices

Working Conditions:

• Will be working in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer.
• Will work outdoors in adverse or extreme weather conditions.
• Will be required to frequently drive to other field facilities within their assigned region.
• Available outside of normal working hours as needed for business necessity.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Ability to work effectively in all working conditions noted above.
• Will require lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs. in a safe manner on an occasional basis.
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver's license to include a safe driving record satisfactory to the company.

Kinetik is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other basis prohibited by law.