Automation Engineer - Offshore OperationsLocations for this role could be in Houston, TX or Lafayette, LA.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:The Automation Engineer provides asset-aligned Automation support for offshore Operations, including troubleshooting, MOC support, PLC/HMI/SCADA support, project and commissioning support, vendor coordination, standards adherence, documentation quality, and control system reliability improvement. This role serves as the primary Automation focal point for assigned assets and works closely with Operations, I&E, Facility Engineering, IT, OT Systems, Data/Historian, vendors, and integrators to safely support and improve offshore production systems.
- Serve as the primary Automation focal point for assigned offshore assets and maintain awareness of asset-specific PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, historian interfaces, control networks, alarm/shutdown logic, vendor packages, and support needs.
- Assist field personnel and Operations in troubleshooting issues and provide clear direction for remediation during daily support, offshore execution, after-hours events, and time-sensitive operational issues.
- Lead structured troubleshooting for PLC, HMI, SCADA, communications, instrumentation interface, alarm, shutdown, package equipment, and historian data issues. Differentiate between instrumentation, logic, HMI display, network, historian, vendor package, and process-related issues.
- Support common communications protocols including Ethernet I/P, Modbus, ControlNet, HART, and OPC.
- Review MOCs for Automation, I&E, controls, alarms, shutdown logic, historian, HMI, cybersecurity, networking, and commissioning impacts. Identify hidden Automation/I&E scope early in Facilities, Subsea, Operations, and maintenance-driven changes.
- Support MOC and project closeout by verifying drawings, logic backups, HMI backups, configuration records, redlines, test records, and final documentation are updated and complete.
- Source, select, and manage vendors in the operational technology (OT), automation, and system integration space. Set clear scope, specification, schedule, documentation, testing, and closeout expectations with vendors and integrators.
- Participate in project lifecycle activities including project definition, FEED and design basis, concept selection, material specification, engineering, implementation, validation and testing, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, startup, maintenance, and closeout.
- Coordinate with OT Systems & Cybersecurity on OT networks, servers, VMware environments, backups, patching, remote access, cyber remediation, and recovery needs for assigned assets.
- Coordinate with OT Historian & Data Reliability on historian tag issues, PI/OPC interfaces, stale or bad data, data quality concerns, operational context, and sensor gaps for optimization or AI readiness.
- Coordinate with Automation Project Engineering on Facilities projects, TARs, project intake, FAT/SAT expectations, commissioning readiness, technical standards, and integrator execution.
- Document root cause, corrective action, and follow-up actions after significant failures, recurring issues, or events affecting safety, production, reliability, cybersecurity, or data quality.
- Read, understand, and propose modifications to:
- P&IDs
- Cause & Effects charts
- SAFE Charts
- Wiring schematics
- System specifications
- Register Maps
- Controls Narratives
- System/network architectures
- PLC/HMI backup and configuration documentation
- Actively participate in specifying, improving, and enforcing Talos standards around:
- PLC hardware and software
- HMI hardware and software
- PLC logic structure
- HMI interface design
- Alarm management and control room usability
- Flow measurement and flow computers
- Installation standards
- Instrumentation & controls elements (I/O)
- Networking and communications devices
- Remote access and vendor connectivity expectations
- Documentation and project closeout requirements
- Follow OT cybersecurity standards for remote access, vendor connectivity, account management, backups, patching, segmentation, and change control. Identify cybersecurity concerns related to PLCs, HMIs, engineering workstations, outdated operating systems, unsupported hardware/software, and unmanaged connectivity.
- Maintain asset-level Automation action lists, risks, obsolescence concerns, vendor issues, documentation gaps, and follow-up items for assigned assets.
- Ability to specify instrumentation & controls elements and materials.
- Ability to program and test control and HMI logic.
- Ability to inspect, verify, and document instrumentation & controls field work quality.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial technology, automation, computer engineering, or related technical field.
- 5+ years of automation, controls, SCADA, or OT experience in oil & gas, industrial operations, manufacturing, or process control environments. Offshore oil & gas experience strongly preferred.
- Experience supporting live production assets with PLC, HMI, SCADA, historian, instrumentation, and vendor package interfaces.
- Familiar with the principles of offshore production automation, including process control, safety systems, fire & gas systems, shutdown logic, and emergency shutdown (ESD) systems.
- Ability to read, troubleshoot, and develop common PLC logic and HMI/SCADA displays.
- Familiar with offshore control room HMI/SCADA design, historian architectures, alarm management, and control room usability concepts.
- Familiar with networking, process control and business network segregation, remote access, and OT cybersecurity expectations.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:- Must have the ability to interface with all areas of Talos' operations, including offshore Operations, I&E, Facility Engineering, Production Engineering, Subsea, IT, Cybersecurity, project execution teams, vendors, and integrators.
- Strong troubleshooting discipline with the ability to identify root cause, corrective action, and follow-up requirements.
- Strong leadership qualities, self-initiative, ownership mindset, and follow-through in project development, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
- Knowledgeable of and experienced with offshore production facilities and schedule-driven work environments.
- Clear written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Ability to organize and prioritize a diverse and heavy workload across daily Operations support, MOCs, projects, documentation, and offshore needs.
- Ability to work independently while keeping leadership, stakeholders, and field personnel aligned on status, risks, decisions, and next actions.
- Recognize personal strengths and weaknesses and be proactive in self-development.
- Have a strong sense of integrity and the ability to deal with ethical situations effectively.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office. Experience with Teams, SharePoint, or similar project/documentation tools preferred.
- Willingness to travel offshore and provide after-hours support as required.
PREFERRED TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE:- Rockwell / Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View, PanelView, or related platforms.
- Emerson DeltaV, Ignition, Wonderware / AVEVA, OSIsoft / AVEVA PI, OPC, Kepware, or similar SCADA/HMI/historian platforms.
- Industrial Ethernet, managed switches, firewalls, VLANs, remote access, and basic control system network troubleshooting.
- Windows Server, VMware, backup systems, domain services, engineering workstations, and virtualized OT environments.
- Fire & Gas, ESD, safety system interfaces, package controls, flow computers, and measurement systems.
CERTIFICATES & LICENSES:- There are no certificates, licenses, or registrations required for this position. Relevant automation, control system, networking, cybersecurity, or vendor-specific certifications are preferred.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:- Employee must be able to sit for extended periods of time and have use of arms and hands in repetitive motion. A fair amount of standing and walking is also required for the position. Offshore travel may require meeting applicable offshore travel, safety, and physical requirements.
