Assistant Oilfield Instrumentation Jobs in Texas

Position Summary:

The I/E Flare & Combustion Technician is responsible for the installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of flare systems, thermal oxidizers, enclosed combustors, burner management systems (BMS), instrumentation, controls, and associated electrical equipment. This position provides field service support to customers in refinery, petrochemical, midstream, upstream oil & gas, LNG, power generation, and industrial facilities while ensuring safe and reliable operation of combustion equipment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Electrical & Controls

• Install, inspect, troubleshoot, and repair electrical systems associated with flare and combustion equipment.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, loop drawings, and control narratives.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, burner management systems, ignition controls, and safety shutdown systems.
• Perform electrical terminations and verify proper wiring of field devices.
• Conduct electrical testing using multimeters, megohmmeters, loop calibrators, and other diagnostic equipment.
• Verify proper operation of motors, MCCs, VFDs, relays, control panels, and associated electrical systems.
• Assist with startup and commissioning of combustion systems.

Instrumentation

• Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot field instrumentation including:
• Pressure transmitters
• Temperature transmitters
• Thermocouples
• RTDs
• Differential pressure devices
• Flow meters
• Control valves
• Flame detection equipment
• Gas analyzers
• Perform loop checks and instrument verification.
• Diagnose signal and communication issues involving 4-20mA, HART, Modbus, and other industrial protocols.
• Verify control logic and instrument functionality during startup activities.

Flare & Combustion Equipment

• Troubleshoot flare ignition systems, pilots, flame fronts, flame scanners, igniters, and control panels.
• Support maintenance and repair activities on:
• Utility and elevated flares
• Ground flares
• Enclosed combustors
• Thermal oxidizers
• Vapor combustion units
• Burners and combustion systems
• Assist mechanical technicians during flare turnarounds, inspections, and equipment upgrades.
• Perform operational testing to ensure compliance with customer specifications and safety requirements.

Field Service Responsibilities

• Travel to customer sites to provide service, maintenance, startup, commissioning, and emergency support.
• Prepare detailed service reports documenting findings, repairs, recommendations, and equipment conditions.
• Interface professionally with customers, project managers, operations personnel, and engineering teams.
• Participate in on-call rotations and emergency response activities as required.
• Maintain company vehicles, tools, instrumentation, and testing equipment.

Safety

• Follow all company, customer, OSHA, and site-specific safety requirements.
• Conduct Job Safety Analyses (JSA), Hazard Assessments, and Pre-Job Briefs.
• Utilize lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work, and permit procedures when applicable.
• Promote a strong safety culture and identify opportunities for risk reduction.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical degree, instrumentation certification, or electrical training preferred.
• Minimum 3+ years of experience in industrial electrical, instrumentation, combustion, or flare systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in industrial electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Ability to read and interpret:
• Electrical schematics
• P&IDs
• Loop diagrams
• Control narratives
• Instrument data sheets
• Knowledge of low-voltage industrial electrical systems.
• Experience with PLC and control system troubleshooting.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to climb ladders, flare structures, and elevated platforms.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, and work in confined spaces for extended periods.
• Must be capable of wearing required PPE, including fall protection, respirators, and flame-resistant clothing.

Key Competencies

• Electrical Troubleshooting
• Instrument Calibration
• PLC/BMS Diagnostics
• Flare Systems Knowledge
• Combustion Controls
• Customer Service
• Technical Reporting
• Safety Leadership
• Root Cause Analysis
• Startup & Commissioning