Instrumentation & Automation Engineer

Location: Houston / Dallas / Oklahoma City / Tulsa

Neilsoft is a global engineering and digitalization partner with over 1,500 employees worldwide. We help leading companies in the construction, process, and manufacturing industries make their projects more efficient, smarter, and more digital.

We are seeking a highly skilled Instrumentation & Automation (I&A) Project Engineer to join our engineering team at the client office location. This role is a hybrid of technical expertise and strategic leadership, focusing on the end-to-end delivery of automation solutions across our three main production sites.

The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between complex engineering design and disciplined project management to ensure our facilities remain at the forefront of technological efficiency.

Your Responsibilities

1. Project Initiation & Strategic Planning

• Conceptualization: Develop comprehensive project plans, including scope, resource allocation, and budget estimates.
• Feasibility & ROI: Conduct site assessments and gap analyses to replace legacy systems (e.g., Honeywell TDC, Foxboro I/A), developing business cases with clear ROI and risk profiles.

2. Engineering & Technical Oversight

• System Design: Lead the development of system architectures, integrating SCADA, PLCs, and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) while ensuring compliance with SIL and environmental standards.
• Platform Selection: Evaluate and select DCS platforms (e.g., Emerson DeltaV, Siemens PCS 7, Yokogawa) based on scalability and cybersecurity requirements (IEC 62443).

3. Execution, Installation & Testing

• Procurement: Manage vendor evaluations, RFPs, and contract negotiations to ensure cost control and supply chain resilience.
• On-Site Integration: Supervise hardware/software installation using phased cutovers or "hot swaps" to minimize disruption to ongoing plant operations.
• Validation: Oversee rigorous testing protocols, including Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).

4. Commissioning, Hypercare & Closure

• Start-up: Manage loop tuning, alarm management, and operator training to ensure a safe transition to live operations.
• Optimization: Provide post-go-live "Hypercare," monitoring KPIs and fine-tuning system performance for long-term reliability.
• Decommissioning: Oversee the safe removal of legacy assets and data archiving in compliance with regulatory frameworks (API, OSHA, EPA).

5. Leadership & Governance

• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary point of contact for senior management, clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Team Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams of engineers, technicians, and contractors, fostering a culture of safety and collaboration.
• Compliance: Ensure all activities adhere to industry standards (ISA, IEC, API) and internal quality assurance protocols.

Your Profile

• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Technology, Mechatronics, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: 5 - 10 years of hands-on experience in instrumentation and automation, specifically within an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Project Management: Proven track record of managing technical projects. You should be comfortable with Gantt charts, resource allocation, and risk mitigation.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership abilities, excellent communication skills in English (both written and verbal), and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel occasionally between the three client plant locations to provide on-site supervision and support.

Preferred Attributes

• Certification: A recognized Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2, or IPMA) is highly desirable.
• Technical Stack: Experience with major platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, Emerson DeltaV, or Rockwell Automation.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with ATEX/Ex-proof requirements and functional safety.

We offer

• A modern, collaborative work environment in an international company
• Exciting and diverse projects with long-term prospects
• Attractive work-life balance options & individual development opportunities

Interested?

Then we look forward to receiving your application, including your availability and salary expectations, at: Careers.usa@neilsoft.com

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