Principal Process Automation Engineer

Principal Process Automation Engineer

Location: Artesia, NM Job Type: Contract-to-Hire Schedule: Full-Time | Onsite

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Process Automation Engineer to join their team in Artesia, New Mexico. This is a hands-on technical leadership role responsible for driving the execution of complex automation engineering projects across industrial facilities. The successful candidate will lead automation design, programming, commissioning, and project execution while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver innovative, safe, and reliable process automation solutions.

This position is based onsite at a refinery facility. Preference will be given to candidates local to Artesia, NM; however, qualified non-local candidates willing to work an onsite travel rotation will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of process automation projects from concept through commissioning and startup.
• Program, configure, and implement PLC and DCS control systems while providing technical leadership to engineering teams.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines, equipment manufacturers, contractors, system integrators, and project management teams.
• Develop project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and technical proposals.
• Produce and review automation engineering documentation, including:
  • Control narratives
  • Cause and effect diagrams
  • Boolean logic diagrams
  • PLC, DCS, and SIS functional specifications
  • System architecture drawings
  • Cabinet layouts
  • Wiring diagrams
  • I/O layouts
• Develop instrumentation documentation including:
  • Instrument datasheets
  • Instrument indexes
  • Wiring diagrams
  • System architecture documentation
• Support all phases of engineering including FEED, detailed design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and handover.
• Participate in process safety studies, SIL assessments, control system philosophy development, and P&ID reviews.
• Prepare Total Installed Cost (TIC) estimates, material takeoffs, and project cost estimates.
• Lead process improvement initiatives and promote engineering best practices.
• Travel as needed to support project execution and field activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Computer Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience leading industrial automation and control systems projects.
• Strong experience managing engineering teams and delivering complex automation projects.
• Expert-level experience programming and configuring Client Experion DCS.
• Experience with PLC programming, preferably Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Experience developing front-end engineering deliverables including:
  • Project scope development
  • Control philosophies
  • System architecture
  • Process safety studies
  • SIL determination
  • P&ID development
• Experience developing Total Installed Cost (TIC) estimates and material takeoffs for capital projects.
• Ability to develop complete process automation engineering packages.
• Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and handover.
• Strong understanding of instrumentation selection, procurement, and control system integration.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project coordination skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Client TDC and Triconex systems.
• Experience with estimating software such as Cleopatra.
• Experience in one or more of the following industries:
  • Refining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Petrochemical
  • Client
  • Mining
  • Nuclear
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is a plus.