Automation Engineer III

Job Title: Automation Engineer III

FLSA Status: Exempt - Salaried

Group: Regular – Full Time

Department: Engineering

Location: Houston, TX (on-site)

About Cooper Machinery Services

Cooper Machinery Services provides natural gas compression equipment and services to customers globally in the Oil & Gas, Power, Transportation, and Marine sectors. With a proud heritage dating back to 1833, Cooper Machinery Services is the OEM for legendary product lines including Cooper-Bessemer™, Ajax™, Superior™, Gemini, TSI, CSI, Enterprise, and Joy. Headquartered in Houston, TX, but with commercial and services hubs around the world, Cooper Machinery Services provides world-class services to more than 22,000 units in its installed base.

Our strength is our people. Each employee plays an integral role in our success and growth. With a commitment to our vision that strong relationships drive strong results and better business, our people make Cooper Machinery Services legendary.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Automation Engineer to join our team at the level of Automation Engineer III. In this role, you will be responsible for leading and overseeing all aspects of control system design, development, testing, and implementation. As an Automation Engineer III, you will play a critical role in driving innovation, guiding junior engineers, and ensuring the successful execution of complex automation projects. Collaboration with clients, cross-functional teams, and senior management will be essential to achieve project goals and objectives.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead the development of PLC and HMI applications according to project specifications, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Plan, evaluate, organize, and execute complex automation-related projects and initiatives, including system integration and optimization efforts.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to junior engineers, supporting their professional development and fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Collaborate with the Drafting department to create detailed electrical drawings and documentation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Generate comprehensive Electrical Bills of Materials (BOM) for projects, overseeing procurement and inventory management activities.
• Provide on-site support and troubleshooting at customer locations as needed, including conducting training sessions and coordinating with field technicians.
• Lead efforts to troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade legacy PLC and HMI software applications, implementing solutions to enhance system performance and reliability.
• Demonstrate flexibility to travel domestically and internationally, as required, to support project implementation and client engagements.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of requirements for equipment and installation in hazardous areas (ATEX, IECEx, NEC, NFPA, etc.), ensuring compliance and adherence to safety standards.
• Utilize hands-on experience with electrical systems to provide technical expertise and guidance during project execution.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Skills And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or relevant Engineering discipline, with a minimum of 8 years of direct experience in Electrical, Automation, and Process Control.
• Minimum of 8 years of direct experience in Electrical, Automation, and Process Control.
• Proven track record of successful project leadership and execution, preferably within the Oil & Gas industry or other relevant sectors.
• Expertise in developing Rockwell Software and FactoryTalk suite of programming products, with advanced proficiency in PLC programming languages and HMI development.
• Hands on experience with National Instruments suite of software including Labview, NI Max, NI RAD, etc.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols, including Ethernet TCP/IP setup and communications of 3rd party hardware.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, with a high level of initiative and self-motivation, as well as collaboratively within cross-functional teams.
• Experience in installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of complex control systems, with a focus on continuous improvement and optimization.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Visio, and Excel, with excellent organizational and documentation skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% of the time, both domestically and internationally, to support project requirements
  
  

Desired Characteristics

• Exceptional ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines effectively, while maintaining attention to detail and quality standards.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and collaborate effectively with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Advanced problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and analytical approach to identifying and resolving technical challenges.
• Customer-focused mindset, with a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions and exceeding client expectations.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all work-related interactions and activities.
  
  

Competencies

• Technical Leadership: Demonstrate strong technical expertise and leadership skills, guiding junior engineers and cross-functional teams in the design, development, and implementation of complex automation projects.
• Communication: Exhibit excellent oral and written communication skills, effectively conveying complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including clients, colleagues, and stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem-Solving: Utilize advanced problem-solving abilities to identify, analyze, and resolve technical challenges and issues encountered during project execution, ensuring timely and effective solutions.
• Collaboration: Foster a collaborative work environment, working closely with clients, cross-functional teams, and senior management to achieve project goals and objectives, while promoting teamwork and knowledge sharing.
• Adaptability: Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in responding to changing project requirements, priorities, and deadlines, while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality solutions and meeting client expectations.
• Customer Focus: Maintain a customer-focused mindset, prioritizing the needs and requirements of clients and stakeholders, and ensuring that solutions delivered align with their expectations and objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, seeking opportunities to enhance processes, optimize system performance, and incorporate emerging technologies to deliver best-in-class automation solutions.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct in all work-related interactions and activities, fostering trust and credibility with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
  
  

Cooper Machinery Services is an equal opportunity employer and gives all qualified applicants consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, any other characteristic protected by law.