JOB SUMMARYJob Profile SummaryPerforms advanced installation, configuration, calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of automation, instrumentation, control, communication, and electrical systems supporting pipeline, terminal, storage, compression, processing, and related energy infrastructure operations. This position ensures the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of automated control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) interfaces, field instrumentation, communication networks, and related equipment.
Working with limited supervision, the Automation Technician Senior independently performs complex technical assignments, diagnoses non-routine system issues, supports operational reliability initiatives, and serves as a technical resource for automation and control system matters. The role applies advanced technical knowledge to improve system reliability, data accuracy, process control performance, regulatory readiness, and operational efficiency.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities- Automation Systems Maintenance & Support
- Install, inspect, configure, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize automation systems, PLCs, RTUs, SCADA-connected field devices, control panels, communication equipment, and related field infrastructure.
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities on automation, instrumentation, electrical, and control system equipment.
- Diagnose and resolve complex automation system issues involving field devices, control logic, communication networks, input/output signals, and process interfaces.
- Support startup, shutdown, commissioning, and operational readiness activities for automation and control system installations or modifications.
- Verify system functionality through testing, calibration, loop checks, functional checks, and system validation activities.
- Controls, Communications & System Reliability
- Support reliable operation of control systems, communication networks, telemetry equipment, remote monitoring systems, and related automation infrastructure.
- Monitor automation system performance and identify trends, failures, or reliability concerns requiring corrective action.
- Partner with operations, engineering, maintenance, measurement, and technical support teams to resolve system performance issues.
- Recommend automation repairs, upgrades, replacement strategies, configuration improvements, and reliability enhancements.
- Support implementation of system modifications, equipment replacements, and technology upgrades within approved procedures and authorization levels.
- Instrumentation & Electrical Technical Support
- Calibrate, test, troubleshoot, and maintain field instrumentation, transmitters, sensors, switches, actuators, control valves, meters, and related devices.
- Interpret technical drawings, loop diagrams, wiring schematics, control narratives, equipment manuals, and related documentation.
- Perform electrical and instrumentation troubleshooting to support safe and reliable facility operations.
- Assist with investigation and resolution of process control, measurement, alarm, and data quality issues.
- Support maintenance and reliability programs that improve equipment availability, system integrity, and operational performance.
- Data Integrity, Documentation & Compliance
- Ensure automation system data, maintenance records, calibration documentation, testing results, and work order history are accurate, complete, and audit-ready.
- Maintain technical records, configuration information, equipment histories, inspection reports, and supporting documentation in company systems.
- Review maintenance and automation documentation for accuracy and adherence to company standards.
- Support compliance with regulatory requirements, company procedures, cybersecurity expectations, operational controls, and applicable industry standards.
- Assist with procedure development, documentation updates, and maintenance standard improvements as assigned.
- Safety, Environmental & Operational Stewardship
- Perform all work in compliance with company safety programs, environmental requirements, electrical safety procedures, operating procedures, and regulatory obligations.
- Follow established permit-to-work processes, lockout/tagout procedures, confined space requirements, and safe electrical work practices.
- Participate in safety meetings, field audits, incident investigations, emergency response activities, and corrective action processes.
- Identify and communicate safety, environmental, equipment, cybersecurity, and operational risks associated with automation systems and maintenance activities.
- Promote safe work execution, operational discipline, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
- Technical Leadership & Knowledge Sharing
- Serve as a technical resource for automation systems, field instrumentation, control equipment, communication systems, and maintenance practices.
- Provide guidance, coaching, and technical support to less experienced technicians and operations personnel.
- Support onboarding, qualification, and technical training activities related to automation and I&E systems.
- Assist with contractor coordination and field execution of automation-related maintenance and project activities.
- Contribute technical expertise to facility projects, management of change activities, system upgrades, and operational improvement initiatives.
- Responsibilities may include Department of Transportation (DOT) covered functions, including operations, maintenance, or emergency response on a pipeline. Job duties also require the employee to be alert and respond immediately to dangerous or hazardous conditions, and where impaired performance, or failure to follow safety precautions, could result in serious injury or property damage.
Education- High school diploma or GED; or
Completion of a technical, vocational, apprenticeship, or trade-related training program.
Work Experience- 5+ years of experience in automation, instrumentation, electrical maintenance, industrial controls, SCADA support, process operations, or related technical disciplines.
- Experience troubleshooting and maintaining automation, instrumentation, electrical, communication, or control systems in industrial operating environments.
- Experience performing calibration, testing, loop checks, functional checks, and maintenance documentation activities.
- Experience interpreting technical drawings, wiring diagrams, loop sheets, control schematics, equipment manuals, and maintenance procedures.
- Experience working in regulated industrial, pipeline, terminal, processing, compression, manufacturing, or energy operations environments.
- Experience supporting PLCs, RTUs, SCADA-connected equipment, telemetry systems, industrial communication networks, and field automation devices.
- Experience supporting natural gas, NGL, crude oil, condensate, refined products, pipeline, terminal, storage, compression, or processing operations.
- Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), operational data systems, or control system documentation tools.
- Experience participating in commissioning, startup, facility expansion, management of change, or reliability improvement activities.
- Experience providing technical guidance or field support to less experienced technicians.
- Equivalent industry work experience may be considered
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- Advanced knowledge of automation systems, PLCs, RTUs, SCADA-connected field devices, control panels, and communication equipment.
- Knowledge of field instrumentation, electrical systems, process control, industrial electronics, and communication networks.
- Knowledge of calibration methods, loop checks, functional testing, system validation, and preventive maintenance practices.
- Knowledge of pipeline, terminal, storage, compression, processing, and related energy operations.
- Knowledge of control system reliability, troubleshooting methodologies, and equipment performance improvement practices.
- Knowledge of applicable safety requirements, environmental regulations, electrical standards, cybersecurity expectations, company procedures, and industry best practices.
- Knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems, technical documentation, and audit-ready recordkeeping practices.
- Advanced automation, instrumentation, and control system troubleshooting skills.
- PLC, RTU, communication, and field device diagnostic skills.
- Electrical and instrumentation testing, calibration, and maintenance skills.
- Technical problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
- Data interpretation, system validation, and documentation skills.
- Computer and maintenance system proficiency.
- Communication, collaboration, and technical knowledge-sharing skills.
- Planning, prioritization, and work execution skills.
- Ability to independently perform complex automation maintenance, troubleshooting, configuration support, and system validation activities with limited supervision.
- Ability to diagnose and resolve non-routine automation, instrumentation, electrical, communication, and control system issues.
- Ability to interpret and apply technical drawings, configuration documentation, control narratives, procedures, standards, and equipment specifications.
- Ability to evaluate system performance and recommend effective corrective actions or reliability improvements.
- Ability to serve as a technical resource for automation systems and I&E maintenance practices.
- Ability to support multiple priorities while maintaining safety, accuracy, compliance, and operational discipline.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, measurement, IT/OT support, contractors, vendors, and leadership.
Licenses and Certifications- None required
- ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) preferred
- PLC, RTU, SCADA, automation, instrumentation, or industrial networking certification preferred
- NFPA 70E or electrical safety training is a plus
Strength Factor Rating - Physical Demands/Requirements- Medium Work - Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
Strength Factor Description - Physical Demands/Requirements- Standing: Remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a work station without moving about (Frequently)
- Walking: Moving about on foot (Frequently)
- Sitting: Remaining in a seated position (Occasionally)
- Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling) (Occasionally)
- Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms, or on the shoulder (Occasionally)
- Pushing: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves away from the force (Occasionally)
- Pulling: Exerting force upon an object so that the object moves toward the force (includes jerking) (Occasionally)
- Climbing: Ladders, Stairs (Occasionally)
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling (Constantly)
- Stooping: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist (Occasionally)
- Kneeling: Bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees (Occasionally)
- Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and spine (Occasionally)
- Crawling: Moving about on the hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
- Reaching: Extending hands and arms in any direction (Constantly)
- Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning or otherwise working with the hand or hands (Manual Dexterity) (Constantly)
- Fingering: Picking, pinching or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (Finger Dexterity) (Constantly)
- Feeling: Perceiving such attributes of objects/materials as size, shape, temperature, texture, movement or pulsation by receptors in the skin, particularly those of the finger tips (Constantly)
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas/information by means of the spoken word (Frequently)
- Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sound by the ear (Frequently)
- Tasting/Smelling: (Occasionally)
- Near Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less (Constantly)
- Far Vision: Clarity of vision at 20 feet for more (Constantly)
- Depth Perception: Three-dimensional vision; ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are (Constantly)
- Vision: Color - The ability to identify and distinguish colors (Constantly)
Working Conditions/Environment- Employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions
Working Conditions- Well lighted, climate controlled areas (Frequently)
- Outdoor weather conditions (Occasionally)
- Wet or humid conditions (not weather related) (Occasionally)
- Extreme cold (not weather related) (Occasionally)
- Extreme heat (not weather related) (Occasionally)
- Dust, fumes, gases (Occasionally)
- Moving mechanical parts (Occasionally)
- Potential electric shock (Occasionally)
- Prolonged exposure to vibration (Occasionally)
- High pitched noises/loud noises (Occasionally)
- Unprotected heights (Occasionally)
- Frequent repetitive motion (Constantly)
- CRT (Computer Monitor(s)) (Constantly)
Travel- Travel may be required as needed to support business and operational needs
Driving- Based on assigned tasks, employee may be assigned a company vehicle requiring the applicable driver's license
