Automation Control Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Automation Engineer

Vopak helps the world flow forward. We store the energy of today and tomorrow. But behind our impressive terminals and tanks, it is our people who make the difference. Guided by our culture of Trust, Collaboration, and Courage, we focus on creating an impact that brings the opportunity to grow and to make a real difference. As an Automation Engineer, you will play a key role in realizing our ambitions while building both the future of Vopak and your own.

Your Mission

As an Automation Engineer, you are responsible for leading and supporting the automation and control systems scope for facility upgrades, migrations, and lifecycle maintenance across our Deer Park (base) and Corpus Christi terminals. Your main goal is to serve as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for instrumentation and control systems, ensuring the integrity, safety, and optimal performance of all site automation.

What will you be doing?

• Providing Subject Matter Expertise: Serve as the SME for automation/control systems, coordinating technical and engineering matters among the terminal, customers, and key stakeholders.

• System Lifecycle Management: Manage the maintenance, configuration, monitoring, troubleshooting, and programming of hardware/software control systems, ensuring vendor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are strictly met.

• Technical Design & Documentation: Develop and prepare control system block diagrams, network architectures, I/O lists, control narratives, Cause & Effect matrices, complex loop narratives, and DCS/HMI screens.

• Project Execution & Procurement: Prepare project scopes, specifications, cost estimates, and requisitions, while pre-qualifying vendors, evaluating bids, and monitoring vendor progress throughout the project lifecycle.

• Safety & Risk Mitigation: Actively participate in HAZOP/PHA activities to provide Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) input, achieving required Layers of Protection and championing SH&E principles.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Support P&ID development and conduct regular meetings with Operations and Maintenance to ensure I&C designs align with operational needs and industrial standards.

Why you'll love working with us

• Various flexible and hybrid work schedules.

• Competitive, market-based salary depending on your experience and knowledge, plus attractive bonuses.

• Career development and growth opportunities.

• Medical / Dental / Vision Insurance

• Flexible Spending Account Options

• Short Term/Long Term Disability Insurance

• Basic and Supplemental Life/AD&D Insurance

• 401(k) Incentive Savings Plan

• Paid Holidays (9 fixed and 2 floating)

• Paid Time Off and Sick Days

• Additional Benefits:

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Employee Assistance Program

• Accident Insurance

• Legal Plan

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Hospital Indemnity Insurance

• ID Theft Insurance

• Universal Life

• Great atmosphere! Plenty of freedom, room for initiative, and an engaging environment.

• Want to know more about our great work culture? Follow us on Instagram or check out our stories on LinkedIn.

Does this sound like you?

• You have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering (an advanced degree in a technical or business field is preferred) professional and intellectual level.

• You have 6-8 years of relevant work experience in automation, instrumentation, and process controls within the petrochemical, refining, or oil & gas industries (liquid storage terminal experience is a plus).

• You are proficient in English (excellent oral, written, and presentation skills).

• You have strong hands-on experience with Emerson DeltaV DCS, SIS systems, and Rockwell PLCs hardware and software, alongside familiarity with IT/OT convergence and OT cybersecurity principles.

• You possess a deep knowledge of industrial automation standards (ISA 88, ISA 95, IEC61511, NEC) and have proven experience with the construction, installation, testing, and commissioning of control systems.

• You possess (or are able to obtain) a TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential), are willing to travel up to 20% to the Corpus Christi terminal, and have the flexibility to respond promptly to off-hour emergencies.

Don't meet all our criteria? No problem! If this role energizes you and our culture feels like a good fit, we warmly invite you to apply anyway.

What energy will you bring? We'd love to meet you!

Together, we help the world flow forward. Apply directly via our website.

Work Environment

(Office AND Terminal Employee)

This position requires an employee to be in an office environment as well as exposed to outside elements. Most extreme elements are heat in the summer months of up to 104F (40C) and some exposure to cold of generally no less than 15F (-10C) in the winter months. There will be exposure to various chemicals and compounds, including fumes and smells, some of them hazardous. The employee may enter confined spaces and work in elevated environments. Employees must be able to wear PPE required by the location. General office noise may be experienced and louder sounds and vibrations when outside. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. All environments are safe with appropriate PPE.

Physical Demands

(Office AND Terminal Employee)

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, speak and hear. The employee is required to stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; the employee may be required, on occasion, to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee may be required to climb ladders/storage tanks up to 50' in height. The employee may be required to enter confined spaces. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to fifty (50) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees may be required to travel by air, rail, bus, or car.

Work Eligibility

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States. The Company will not sponsor immigration or work visas.

Inclusion & Diversity:

Vopak stores vital products with care. Our commitment to care extends to all our stakeholders, including our own employees, new talents and people in our local communities around the globe. We believe that each individual has the right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to work in a professional atmosphere that promotes equal opportunities and prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, political orientation or trade union membership, allowing everyone at Vopak to develop their full potential.

It is Vopak's policy to employ and administer employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era and in accordance with federal and state civil rights laws.

Accommodations

At Vopak we are committed to building a workplace where everyone feels they belong. To support this, we host several active Employee Resource Groups, including our International, Pride, Women's and Young Professionals networks.

Vopak is an equal opportunity employer. Everyone is different, and the differences in people allow us to match our ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. That's why we are curious about who you are!

To support qualified individuals with disabilities, we provide reasonable accommodations throughout our application and interview process. If you require assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please email us at HR.USA@vopak.com. Please include "Reasonable Accommodation" in the subject line and briefly describe the assistance you need. Note that this inbox is not monitored for application status updates.