Electrical & Automation Specialist

Shell•Houston, TX

11d•$124,000 - $186,000

About The Position

The Electrical & Automation Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for electrical power, instrumentation, and control systems at Shell Technology Center Houston. The role provides technical support, troubleshooting leadership, reliability improvements, and field quality assurance/quality control for new and existing facilities, ensuring compliance with industry standards, Shell DEP's, and regulatory requirements. The specialist works with maintenance, operations, I&E technicians, project engineering, contractors, and vendors to support safe, reliable, and compliant operation of electrical and control system assets. The role also provides technical oversight of engineering design packages, commissioning, SIS maintenance programs, and fixed gas detection system lifecycle management. Responsibilities span advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis; preventive and predictive maintenance and reliability programs; engineering review and project support from design through commissioning and startup; field QA/QC; and compliance with applicable electrical, instrumentation, functional-safety, and hazardous-area standards. The role also mentors technicians and contractors and participates in audits, safety reviews, hazard studies, and Management of Change processes.

Requirements

Must have legal authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis for anyone other than the current employer.
At least 10 years of experience in electrical engineering, instrumentation and controls, maintenance, reliability, or project support in the petrochemical, refinery, laboratory, or another industrial sector.
Knowledge of low- and medium-voltage power systems (480V to 15kV), protective relays, motor control equipment, and industrial power distribution networks.
Demonstrated experience with instrumentation and control systems, including field instrumentation, PLCs, process controls, SIS, and gas detection systems.
Experience leading root cause analyses, equipment failure analyses, reliability improvement efforts, and maintenance program development.
Knowledge of SIS lifecycle requirements, proof-testing practices, and functional safety concepts.
Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, schematics, loop drawings, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, P&IDs, and vendor specifications.
Experience reviewing engineering design packages and supporting project execution, commissioning, and startup activities.
Strong understanding of electrical safety practices and applicable industry standards.
Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with operations, maintenance, project teams, contractors, and leadership.

Nice To Haves

Licensed electrician.
Degree or industry-recognized certifications in electrical, instrumentation, control systems, or an equivalent discipline.
Experience with SIS platforms, PLC systems, DCS systems, and industrial communication networks.
Experience with electrical system modeling tools such as ETAP, SKM, or EasyPower.
Familiarity with functional safety standards such as IEC 61511 and ISA 84.
Experience managing fixed gas detection systems and associated maintenance programs.
Certifications related to electrical safety, functional safety, instrumentation, thermography, or reliability engineering.
Experience working in or with hazardous-area (Class I Div I/II) facilities.
Familiarity with reliability methodologies such as RCM and FMEA, and CMMS systems such as SAP.
Experience supporting multidisciplinary projects involving electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation systems.

Responsibilities

Lead advanced troubleshooting of low- and medium-voltage electrical systems, including motors, switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, UPS systems, power transformers, and protective relays.
Provide technical support for instrumentation and control systems, including process instruments, analyzers, PLC-based systems, networked control devices, and field equipment.
Support troubleshooting and performance improvements for Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and fixed gas detection systems.
Perform root cause analysis of electrical, instrumentation, and control system failures and develop corrective and preventive actions.
Provide subject matter expertise on electrical safety, arc-flash studies, protection coordination, and control system reliability.
Mentor technicians and contractors in troubleshooting, maintenance best practices, and safe work practices.
Develop and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for electrical, instrumentation, SIS, and gas detection assets.
Manage and track SIS proof testing, inspection schedules, corrective actions, and documentation for lifecycle compliance.
Manage and track maintenance, calibration, testing, and reliability activities for fixed gas detection systems.
Support condition monitoring, including infrared thermography, motor testing, insulation resistance testing, instrument diagnostics, and system health monitoring.
Review maintenance, testing, proof-test, and inspection reports to identify reliability risks and improvement opportunities.
Support reliability improvement plans and maintenance strategies for critical electrical and control system assets.
Serve as the field QA/QC representative for electrical, instrumentation, and control system scopes during project execution.
Review engineering design packages, drawings, control narratives, loop diagrams, SIS documentation, P&IDs, vendor documentation, and technical specifications for compliance.
Provide electrical and instrumentation engineering input for capital and expense projects from design through commissioning and startup.
Participate in factory acceptance tests, site acceptance tests, commissioning, and system turnover.
Lead or support project commissioning, functional testing, acceptance testing, and energization procedures.
Verify installed equipment and systems conform to approved designs, specifications, and quality requirements.
Evaluate and approve electrical, instrumentation, and control system upgrades, modifications, and equipment replacements.
Ensure facility electrical systems comply with NFPA 70/70E, IEEE, API, and NEC requirements.
Support compliance with ISA, IEC, API, and corporate standards governing instrumentation, SIS, and gas detection systems.
Participate in audits, safety reviews, PHA, HAZOP, LOPA, SAFOP studies, and Management of Change processes.
Support Functional Safety Management activities and maintain current, compliant SIS documentation, testing, and maintenance records.
Provide technical guidance for hazardous-area electrical and instrumentation installations.

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Business Travel Accident Insurance
Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs
Company pension plan
401(k) plan
Up to 6 weeks of paid vacation
Up to 11 paid holidays
Paid parental leave: 16 weeks for birthing parents and 8 weeks for non-birthing parents
Short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay
Long-Term Disability insurance
Financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses
Discretionary long-term incentives for some roles
Flexible working hours and possibility of remote/mobile working
Annual performance-related salary increase
Training and development programs