Principal Automation Engineer

Principal Automation Engineer

Kent is looking for a Principal Automation Engineer to be based in Houston, TX. You will interact with other disciplines and departments, corporate technical networks and peers, and vendors/suppliers as needed to successfully execute projects and support construction and procurement.

You are responsible for leading engineering activities and the development of technical deliverables to meet the schedule, scope, budget and quality requirements of multi-discipline projects.

Skills and Responsibilities:

Provides project discipline engineering leadership on a multi-project team towards the successful completion of projects as assigned so that they are successfully completed and meet the objectives. Collaborates and engages all other disciplines and the client counterparts, towards the successful completion of the project that is designed efficiently, cost effectively, and has constructability against the up-front project requirements. Responsible for following company policies and quality procedures to ensure engineering is completed per required technical requirements while maintaining quality checklist and documenting quality assurance that is auditable for all phases of the project. Works closely with the engineer and designer teams to coordinate their activities and to ensure the work meets the project schedule and hours budget. Works with the PM and cost teams to develop man hour estimates for projects. Provides input into the project schedule. Ensures that change management process is followed including cost and schedule impacts. Performs periodic design reviews; ensures designs, technical specifications, and calculations follow specifications, codes, regulations, and contract requirements. Ensures technical and quality standards are maintained. Prepares engineering deliverables and reviews deliverables for quality prepared by others, such as: Design Basis, Philosophies, Instrument Index, I/O lists, Cause & Effect Matrix, Control Narratives, Alarm Rationalization, Equipment Specifications and Data Sheets, Control and Safety System Architecture drawings, Block Diagrams, Loops, Instrument location drawings, Wiring diagrams, Cable Schedules, and Instrument Installation details. Prepares or reviews/approves specifications and data sheets for purchase of materials and equipment. Develops required Material Request Quotation / Material Request Purchase packages with supporting documents for procurement to obtain pricing and/or purchase equipment. Prepares Technical Bid Evaluations for I&C equipment from vendor quotes. Make technical recommendations. Works with Process group to provide I&C mark-ups to the P&IDs that follow MOC processes and is in line with client specifications and project requirements. Performs calculations for instrument sizing or be knowledgeable to review calculations by others. Calculations for various flow, level, pressure, temperature, control valves & regulators, on-off valves, and relief devices. Makes technical recommendations on instrument locations and wake frequency calculations. Must be familiar with various controls including PLCs, DCS, ICSS, SIS. Support project safety reviews in meetings such as HAZOP, LOPA, PHA. Supports for SIL reviews and calculations. Supports the development of control logic Functional Specifications used to support integration of automation and operator control logic into DCS systems for capital projects. Supports the review of the alarm rationalization aspects for capital automation projects. Supports the development of procedures for Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Pre-Startup Acceptance Tests (PSAT) of project installed or modified SIS. Supports FAT & SAT as required and ensures proper documentation is kept for project records, red lines, etc. Documents and maintains all communication that impacts technical decisions. All other duties as assigned.

Your knowledge/skills, education, and experience:

Knowledge/ Qualification/ Training/ Certification: Bachelor's degree in Engineering required. Fifteen (15) years or more of relevant experience in refining and petrochemicals facilities. P.E. license (preferable in the State of Texas) is required or able to obtain by comity and NCEES license required. Site visit experience and working knowledge of measurements for level, flow, pressure, temperature, density and control valves. Must have a broad range of experience in sizing and specifying various types of instruments such as flow, level, pressure, temperature, control valves and regulators, relief devices. Must have experience with flow elements including orifice plates, Coriolis meters, venturi, wedge, Vortex, ultrasonic including proper application. Experience with Fire and Gas detection is a plus. Experience with Analysers is a plus. Experience in the following required; DCS, SIS, ICSS and PLC. Technical support in the following required; Loops, Complex Loops, Alarm Management, Operator Stations, Engineering Stations, Redundancy Options, Fiber and CAT6 Connections, Local/Remote I/O, Hardwired/Wireless I/O, RIE, Traditional Marshalling, Electronic Marshalling, HART Configurations, Motor Control Relay Templates, MOV Templates, 3rdParty Serial Connections. Documented support in the following required; Block Diagrams, System Architecture, Specifications, Philosophies, MRQ's and TBE's. Must have or develop basic proficiency in the following areas with the ability to develop into a subject matter expert in particular areas: Knowledgeable of Instrumentation Global standards and industry codes (IEC61511, 61508 and ISA 5.1, 5.4 and ATEX, NFPA 70) Broad knowledge of review and analysis of P&IDs, Data Sheets, Loop Drawings and termination details Experience and understanding of how DCS/SIS and Fire & Gas systems work. Demonstrated ability for organizing and tracking a high volume of detailed information that impacts own work Ability to apply computer software tools (Microsoft Office 365 suite including Teams, sizing software).

Communication: Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal/rapport building skills necessary to work effectively as a team member, and to plan/coordinate processes for results.

Behavior/ Core Competencies: Strong interpersonal leadership skills are critical due to the requirement for effective communication of complex issues across the organization as well as for mentoring and consensus building. Results oriented and able to drive to technically sound decisions. Strong commitment to safety, a high level of personal integrity, and dedication to conduct business in an ethical way. Exhibits an understanding of business drivers, management of change requirements, project management processes, and construction workflow. HSSEQ: The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it's clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Details about the role:

Location: Houston, TX

Relocation required: N/A

Travel required: Limited; per project requirements

Contract type: N/A

Experience level: 15+ years