Specialist, Automation & Integration - Full-time

Job Type:

Plains All American is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs). We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key crude oil and NGL producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. On average, Plains handles more than 6 million barrels per day of crude oil and NGL in its Transportation segment. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We are looking for highly-motivated individuals who enjoy working as part of a team in a dynamic and entrepreneurial work environment.

Job Purpose/Summary:

The Automation & Integration Specialist supports capital projects, internal initiatives and optimization efforts, and provides technical support to the field. This position reports to the Supervisor of Automation & Integration and can be located either in Houston, TX or Midland, TX.

This job requires up to 75% travel

Job Responsibilities:

• Capital Project Support

  • Review project deliverables (drawings and documents) produced by others and provide comments on automation and operational items.

  • Specify control system hardware and software for project, based on corporate PML, automation equipment standards, division preferences within these documents and project functionality/performance requirements:

    • PLC and HMI

    • Flow computers

    • Network equipment

  • Lead the development of automation deliverables, coordinating with stakeholders in field operations, the SCADA control center and technical services to determine the required system behavior and producing control narratives, cause and effects tables and other similar documents for use by the system integrator in developing the control system logic.

  • Develop scopes of work for third-party system integrators to:

    • Purchase, if required, and assemble control system hardware and control panels / cabinets.

    • Perform control system configuration (PLC programming, HMI implementation, flow computer setup).

    • Support construction, verification (FAT) and validation (SAT) activities.

  • Source and vet integration company (or develop bidders list if required).

  • Ensure Plains standards and specifications are followed when building and implementing control systems.

  • Ensure that integrators are following Plains standard programming and networking practices.

  • Provide onsite support to construction managers/supervisors in directing construction and integration personnel involved in automation-related activities to maintain project schedule; provide feedback to project manager as required.

  • Coordinate involvement of Electrical Technical Services personnel in automation-related project activities where needed (e.g., loop checks of motor RTDs and other devices connected to electrical equipment, integration of electrical protection relays and other equipment with PLCs etc.).

  • Act as single point of accountability for the control system on site during commissioning and start-up to ensure safe, reliable, and operable assets are delivered to operations.

• Corporate Initiative and Optimization Support

  • Develop corporate automation standard practices and designs for use in any new or updates to existing control systems.

  • Support initiatives from other internal teams.

    • Hydraulics

    • Energy Management

    • Measurement

    • Mechanical & Electrical Technical Services

  • Depending on scope of work and required implementation schedule, support will either be provided following the Capital Projects Support model (e.g., develop scope of work and supervise third party) or the Specialist, Automation & Integration will act as the system integrator and perform the work directly.

  • Responsibilities for initiatives performed directly by the specialist include:

    • Coordination of stakeholders (internal technical teams, operations, SCADA etc.).

    • Translation of requirements into PLC logic, including development of appropriate documentation (narratives, cause and effects etc.).

    • PLC programming.

    • Coordination with field operations and SCADA to perform required field work, and testing and troubleshooting and managing these activities.

    • Scheduling and tracking completion.

• Operations Technical Support

  • Support the MOC process.

  • Provide technical support and subject matter expertise to assist in finding solutions to reliability issues.

  • Support local operations in designing and implementing technician training programs.

  • Provide guidance to operations on maintenance projects as needed to ensure they follow Plains’ specs and standards.

  • Support operations in asset optimization efforts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• High School Diploma

• Oil and Gas Experience Preferred

• PLC Programming using Ladder Logic and Function Block Diagram

  • Allen-Bradley

  • Emerson / GE

  • Modicon

• Working knowledge of Industrial Networking (network switch, firewall, Ethernet radio configuration etc.) an asset.

• Working knowledge of flow computer configuration (OMNI, Flow-X) an asset.

• Working knowledge of basic pipeline-related field instrumentation (flow, level, pressure, temperature transmitters) an asset.

• Demonstrated Leadership Skills

• Working Knowledge of Controls Used in Industrial Automation

• Working Knowledge of AC and DC Power, including familiarity with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

• Problem Solving

• Works Well with a Team or Alone

• MS Office Applications

#Plains

At Plains, our employees are our most valuable asset. Hard work is rewarded with competitive compensation and a top-tier benefits program designed to keep our employees safe, healthy and happy. We work hard to deliver the best results to our stakeholders and we also respect our employees need for personal and family time, which is reflected in our benefits program.

Salary details estimated by job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn do not represent Plains’ compensation structure. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 

By submitting your resume, you consent to the collection, use and necessary disclosure of the personal information provided during the application and selection process. .