SUMMARY The Automation Supervisor is responsible for leading and supporting the Company's automation, instrumentation, electrical, and control systems across natural gas gathering systems, compressor stations, processing facilities, and other midstream assets.
This position supervises Automation Technicians and provides technical leadership for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, programming, and reliability of PLCs, instrumentation, communications, analyzers, control systems, and associated electrical equipment. The Automation Supervisor works closely with Operations, Engineering, Measurement, SCADA, and other departments to ensure automation systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently.
This position is based in Hobbs, New Mexico. Due to operational and emergency response requirements, the successful candidate must reside within approximately 1.5 hours of the Hobbs plant/reporting location. Relocation may be required.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Supervise, lead, train, and provide technical directions to Automation Technicians and other assigned personnel.
- Coordinate daily work assignments, priorities, preventive maintenance activities, troubleshooting, and automation projects.
- Provide technical support for automation, instrumentation, electrical, communication, and control systems throughout gathering systems, compressor stations, and processing facilities.
- Ensure shutdown systems, controls, transmitters, recorders, chromatographs, analyzers, measurement equipment, and related instrumentation are properly calibrated, maintained, and functioning as designed.
- Troubleshoot PLCs, instrumentation, electrical systems, communications, control logic, and field devices.
- Review and troubleshoot PLC programming and ladder logic, including GE and Allen-Bradley systems.
- Support the installation, commissioning, startup, maintenance, and modification of automation and control systems.
- Respond to operational alarms, equipment failures, and automation-related issues and coordinate corrective actions to minimize operational downtime.
- Assist Operations with troubleshooting compressors, plant equipment, dehydration facilities, gathering systems, and associated control equipment.
- Coordinate automation activities associated with planned shutdowns, facility startups, maintenance activities, and operational changes.
- Review P&IDs, electrical drawings, control schematics, loop drawings, and other technical documentation.
- Maintain and improve documentation related to PLC programs, control systems, instrumentation, electrical systems, and automation equipment.
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, system performance, operational efficiency, and automation standardization.
- Work closely with Operations, Engineering, Measurement, SCADA, vendors, and contractors on automation projects and system improvements.
- Coordinate and oversee contractors and vendors performing automation, instrumentation, electrical, and control-system work.
- Assist with planning automation projects, equipment upgrades, installations, and facility expansions.
- Ensure automation work is completed in accordance with Company standards, applicable electrical codes, manufacturer recommendations, and regulatory requirements.
- Promote and enforce Company safety policies and safe work practices, including electrical safety and NFPA 70E requirements.
- Ensure employees receive appropriate training and have the technical knowledge necessary to safely perform assigned work.
- Assist with employee development, performance feedback, and technical training for Automation Technicians.
- Maintain appropriate inventory of critical automation, instrumentation, and electrical parts and equipment.
- Participate in an on-call rotation and respond to operational emergencies and automation issues as required.
- Maintain a valid driver's license in the state of residency.
- Maintain required proximity to the assigned reporting location to support operational and emergency response requirements.
- Comply with all applicable Company policies and federal, state, and local regulations.
- Maintain honest, respectful, and effective internal and external working relationships.
- Perform related duties and responsibilities as required and other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONSKnowledge of: - Automation and instrumentation systems used in natural gas gathering, compression, and processing operations.
- PLC hardware, programming, and ladder logic, including Allen-Bradley and GE systems.
- Instrumentation and control systems, including pressure, temperature, level, flow, and analytical instrumentation.
- Gas and liquid chromatographs, including ABB, AIC, Daniels, or similar equipment.
- Gas analytical equipment, including H2S and O2 analyzers.
- Electrical systems including 120V, 240V, and 480V equipment.
- Electrical and instrumentation troubleshooting tools, including voltmeters, HART communicators, process meters, and similar diagnostic equipment.
- P&IDs, electrical diagrams, control schematics, wiring diagrams, and loop drawings.
- SCADA and industrial communication systems.
- Natural gas compression and associated driven equipment.
- Natural gas gathering systems and processing facilities.
- Dehydration facilities and associated control systems.
- Preventive and corrective maintenance practices.
- Accepted safety standards and practices applicable to natural gas pipeline, compression, and processing operations.
- NFPA 70E electrical safety practices.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and safety requirements.
- Microsoft Office or comparable software.
Ability to:
- Lead, supervise, train, and develop Automation Technicians.
- Prioritize and coordinate multiple maintenance activities, projects, and operational needs.
- Diagnose complex automation, instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems.
- Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings, control schematics, and technical documentation.
- Troubleshoot and modify PLC logic and control systems.
- Work independently and make sound decisions during operational and equipment-related issues.
- Respond effectively to emergency situations and equipment failures.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
- Coordinate effectively with Operations, Engineering, Measurement, SCADA, contractors, and vendors.
- Maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, contractors, and external partners.
- Provide technical guidance while maintaining a strong focus on safety and operational reliability.
EXPERIENCE and TRAINING GUIDELINES Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Preferred Education and/or Experience: - High school diploma or GED required.
- Technical degree, trade school certification, or additional training in instrumentation, electrical systems, automation, electronics, or a related field preferred.
- Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible automation, instrumentation, electrical, or controls experience, preferably within the oil and gas or midstream industry.
- Previous lead or supervisory experience preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of Allen-Bradley and/or GE PLCs, including ladder logic and hardware.
- Experience with natural gas gathering systems, compressor stations, and processing facilities preferred.
- Experience troubleshooting and maintaining 120V, 240V, and 480V electrical systems preferred.
- Working knowledge of P&IDs and electrical diagrams required.
- NFPA 70E certification preferred.
- Experience with industrial instrumentation, analyzers, chromatographs, communications, and SCADA systems preferred.
WORKING CONDITIONS Environmental Conditions:
- Work is performed in both field and office environments.
- Regular work outdoors in various weather conditions and on uneven and/or slippery surfaces.
- Exposure to natural gas, chemicals, electrical equipment, rotating equipment, heavy machinery, and hazardous tools.
- Exposure to hazardous products, processes, materials, and chemicals.
- Work may involve extreme temperatures and loud machinery.
- Noise levels may exceed 90 dBA in certain operating areas.
- Work may include confined spaces and elevated work areas.
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required.
- May be required to work outside normal business hours, weekends, holidays, or during emergency callouts.
- Periodic travel between Company facilities and operating locations may be required.
- Office duties may require sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods.
Physical Conditions:Essential and other important responsibilities and duties require maintaining the physical condition necessary for:
- Remaining in a stationary position for prolonged periods of time.
- Walking and working on uneven surfaces and around operating equipment.
- Working in confined spaces when required.
- Performing maintenance and troubleshooting activities with medium to heavy lifting requirements.
- Regularly lifting and/or moving up to 20 pounds, frequently lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lifting and/or moving heavier equipment with appropriate assistance.
- Climbing ladders and working at elevated locations.
- Using hand tools, electrical testing equipment, and mechanical tools for maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Bending, stooping, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching, and standing as required to inspect and service equipment.
- Operating Company vehicles and traveling between field locations.
- Maintaining visual and auditory awareness around operating equipment.
- Verbally communicating with internal and external contacts.
