As an Automation Engineer II, you’ll design, develop, commission, and support controls and automation solutions that power drilling equipment and rig operations. You’ll translate customer and engineering requirements into reliable PLC, HMI, instrumentation, industrial network, and machine-control systems, taking projects from design and documentation through testing, deployment, and field support.
This role offers the opportunity to see your engineering work in action—solving complex equipment challenges, improving safety and reliability, and helping rig teams operate more efficiently. Working independently and alongside project teams, you’ll deepen your technical expertise across the full automation lifecycle and deliver practical solutions that balance performance, quality, and cost.
Responsibilities
Controls Software & Machine Automation Development
Primary Skills: Process Automation • Software Design • Programmable Logic Controller Programming • Human-Machine Interface Design
- Design and develop controls software for drilling applications from approved requirements and specifications.
- Develop machine-control algorithms for PLC-based systems, including sequencing and control of induction motors, AC drives, motor control centers, hydraulic and pneumatic functions, and valve controls.
- Design and implement HMI applications, instrumentation and sensor interfaces, data logging, and communication interfaces with industrial controllers.
- Apply Rockwell or Siemens controls platforms and related development tools appropriate to the assigned application.
System Design, Requirements & Technical Documentation
Primary Skills: Requirements Management • System Architecture • Design Documentation • Engineering Specifications
- Interpret client and internal requirements, identify relevant design parameters and engineering constraints, and develop controls-system solutions using sound engineering principles.
- Produce and maintain design documentation, PLC code, HMI applications, bills of material, network architectures, one-line drawings, and operations manuals.
- Review electrical schematics and system interfaces to confirm that software, controls hardware, instrumentation, communications, and equipment functions are aligned.
- Document design decisions, test results, configuration information, and implementation requirements to support manufacturing, commissioning, service, and future maintenance.
Equipment Commissioning, Prototyping & Validation
Primary Skills: Commissioning Processes • Technical Prototyping • System Testing Framework • Equipment Validation
- Commission new equipment and drilling-rig control systems in yard or field environments, including deployment, functional testing, issue resolution, and completion of required documentation.
- Build or support design prototypes and perform field implementation and testing to verify intended operation.
- Validate controls behavior, HMI functionality, instrumentation, communications, alarms, and equipment interfaces against approved requirements.
- Identify implementation problems, coordinate corrective actions, and communicate readiness or outstanding risks to the project team.
Sustaining Engineering & Technical Troubleshooting
Primary Skills: Technical Support • Equipment Troubleshooting • Network Engineering • Problem Solving Techniques
- Provide Level 3 technical support to internal and external customers for current rig applications and controls systems.
- Diagnose and correct reported software, hardware, wiring, PLC, HMI, sensor, and industrial-network issues through remote access, collaboration with technicians, or travel to the rig site.
- Troubleshoot industrial communications and network components, including interfaces using OPC, MODBUS, EtherNet/IP, Profibus, and related protocols.
- Document findings, corrective actions, and relevant technical information to support reliable operation and future issue resolution.
Project Execution, Safety & Collaboration
Primary Skills: Project Leadership • Project Management • Workplace Safety • Cross-functional Teamwork
- Contribute to project success as a project leader or project team member by managing assigned scope, technical deliverables, risks, schedule commitments, and budget considerations.
- Coordinate with customers, engineering disciplines, technicians, manufacturing, and field personnel to implement solutions accurately and resolve technical dependencies.
- Maintain product safety in controls and automation designs and observe applicable safety objectives and legal requirements for completed work.
- Communicate technical status, design considerations, implementation issues, and recommended actions clearly in individual and group settings.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechatronics, Robotics, or a closely related engineering discipline.
- 3–5 years of progressively responsible controls and automation software development experience, including hands-on Rockwell PLC programming using Logix 5000.
- Experience with PLC programming, HMI design and implementation, instrumentation, sensor interfaces, and data logging.
- Working knowledge of induction motors, AC drives, motor control centers, hydraulics, pneumatics, and valve controls.
- Ability to read and apply electrical schematics to troubleshoot controls software, hardware, wiring, networks, and system interfaces.
- Experience producing technical documentation, including PLC code records, HMI applications, bills of material, network architectures, one-line drawings, test records, and operations manuals.
- Clear technical communication skills; ability to work independently and with customers, engineers, technicians, and field teams; willingness to learn and seek senior engineering guidance when needed.
- Ability to travel approximately 30% domestically and internationally to yards and rigs, and respond to calls and provide support outside regular hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.
Preferred
- Previous experience with controlling heavy rotating equipment using induction motors
- Experience in the drilling industry
Experience controlling heavy rotating equipment using induction motors.
Experience with drilling equipment, drilling-rig controls, oilfield operations, or other safety-critical industrial equipment.
Hands-on experience with Rockwell RSLogix 5000, SLC 500, FactoryTalk, or comparable Siemens PLC and HMI platforms.
Experience with industrial communication protocols, including OPC, MODBUS, EtherNet/IP, Profibus, or comparable protocols.
Familiarity with Cisco switches or industrial-network configuration and troubleshooting.
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Equal Opportunity Employer
Nabors is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To learn more about our Fair Employment practices, please refer to the Nabors Code of Conduct.
Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.