AUTOMATION ENGINEER III

Role Overview

Automation Engineer III at Nabors, working with Canrig Drilling Technology. This position is based at a Nabors location supporting drilling rig control systems operations.

Role Purpose

Design, implement, deploy, and support advanced control systems for drilling rigs and drilling rig equipment. Ensure efficient, safe, and compliant drilling operations through expertise in PLC programming, SCADA systems, industrial networks, variable frequency drives, and HMI development.

Key Responsibilities

Design and Implementation

• Support development and implementation of advanced control systems for drilling rigs and drilling rig equipment.
• Participate in customer and vendor-facing meetings regarding control system design.
• Participate in internal design and status reviews.

System Support and Testing

• Perform lab and shop floor set-up activities.
• Conduct integration testing, factory acceptance testing, and customer acceptance testing.

Technical Support and Troubleshooting

• Participate in and perform troubleshooting of drilling rig and associated equipment control systems to minimize downtime and optimize performance.
• Provide technical support and guidance to internal field technicians, drilling operations, and support teams.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure all control systems comply with industry safety standards and regulations.

Collaboration

• Work closely with Canrig engineering team, Nabors, and third-party operations teams to integrate new technologies and improve existing systems.

Documentation and Training

• Prepare and maintain technical documentation for control systems and procedures, including product documentation, functional requirements documents, software release documents, and commissioning documents.
• Train and mentor junior engineers on control system design, implementation, and maintenance.
• Train and support field technicians on deployment, set-up, and commissioning of drilling rigs and drilling equipment control systems.

Quality and Compliance

• Perform duties in accordance with company policies, procedures, and quality objectives.
• Make decisions within scope of work and escalate issues as needed.
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure operational effectiveness.
• Ensure quality, accuracy, and timeliness of work.
• Report any nonconformities or risks that may impact quality, legal compliance, safety, environment, or customer satisfaction.
• Support and participate in achieving organizational QHSE objectives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Software design and development experience.
• Project management and presentation skills.

Skills & Competencies

PLC Programming

• C++ programming.
• RSLogix 5000.
• SLC 500.
• Omron PLC experience.
• Wago PLC experience.
• Allen-Bradley PLCs (preferred over Siemens).

HMI and Software

• Factory Talk View.
• Understanding of Rockwell software suite.

Industrial Control Systems

• Understanding of hydraulics and pneumatics.
• AC drives and controls (ABB, Converteam, Yaskawa preferred).
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) expertise.
• Power systems knowledge.

Industrial Communications and Networking

• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols: OPC, MODBUS, Ethernet IP, Profibus.
• Understanding of various communication protocols: Profibus, Modbus, OPC, Ethernet IP.
• Familiarity with industrial PCs, servers, and industrial communication protocols and networking.
• Basic knowledge of Cisco switches and configurations.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to read electrical schematics.
• Strong hands-on hardware troubleshooting skills.
• Strong software debugging skills.
• Ability to extract and document requirements from user problem description.

Additional Information

• Other duties may be assigned.