Full Time Protection & Controls Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

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Kodiak understands that our most valuable resource is our employees, and in order to provide industry-leading service and runtime, you must attract and retain premier talent. To accomplish this, Kodiak focuses on providing internal professional development and training, as well as the best benefits package in the industry.

Position Summary

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Engineer supports the design, implementation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of instrumentation, automation, and control systems across Kodiak Gas Services' gas compression and power generation businesses. This role works closely with engineering, operations, construction, and commercial to ensure control systems meet Kodiak standards, customer requirements, and applicable industry specifications. The I&C Engineer is expected to independently manage engineering assignments while supporting continuous improvement initiatives, equipment reliability, and operational excellence.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Design, specify, and support instrumentation and control systems for natural gas compression packages, compressor stations, and power generation facilities.
• Develop, review, and maintain control philosophies, cause-and-effect diagrams, instrument indexes, I/O lists, loop drawings, and P&IDs.
• Specify instrumentation including pressure, temperature, flow, level, vibration, gas detection, emissions monitoring, and process analyzers.
• Support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system architecture design, integration, and commissioning.
• Assist with programming, troubleshooting, and optimization of PLC-based control systems, specifically systems typically found on gas compression and power generation equipment, and associated field instrumentation.
• Evaluate existing control systems and recommend improvements to increase equipment reliability, efficiency, uptime, and operational performance.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, communication networks, and control system issues both remotely and in the field.
• Support startup, commissioning, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and field performance verification.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines, operations, commercial, and vendors to develop integrated equipment solutions.
• Review vendor documentation, equipment submittals, and engineering drawings for compliance with Kodiak standards and customer specifications.
• Assist with development and standardization of control system hardware, software, alarming, and automation strategies across the fleet.
• Analyze operating data and develop recommendations to improve reliability, fuel efficiency, emissions performance, and equipment availability.
• Provide technical support to field technicians during commissioning, troubleshooting, and major maintenance activities.
• Ensure compliance with applicable engineering standards, electrical codes, safety regulations, and Kodiak engineering practices.

Education & Certifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Work Experience

• 3-7 years of experience designing, implementing, or supporting industrial instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience with natural gas compression, power generation, oil and gas, midstream facilities, or industrial process facilities preferred.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA systems.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Emerson, Schneider, EMIT, or similar platforms).
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus RTU/TCP, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, OPC UA, DNP3, or similar.
• Understanding of instrumentation selection, calibration, installation, and commissioning.
• Experience with variable frequency drives (VFDs), engine and generator controls, protective relays, and process automation preferred.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, loop drawings, control panel drawings, P&IDs, and network architecture diagrams.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose complex automation and process control issues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple disciplines.
• Experience with ignition-based SCADA platforms, remote telemetry systems, or cloud-based industrial monitoring systems is a plus.

Physical Demands

• Extended or non-traditional working hours may be required.
• Approximately 20-40% travel to field locations, manufacturing facilities, customer sites, and commissioning activities may be required.
• Must be able to stand or walk on uneven terrain, climb personnel stairs and ladders, stoop, squat, and/or crawl depending on the assigned task.
• Requires frequent typing and use of computers and other office equipment, such as copiers, printers, calendars, and telephones.
• Must be able to work safely in industrial environments while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE).

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Kodiak Gas Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.