Regional Automation Leader

Boardwalk Pipelines, LP Human Resources•Channelview, TX

9d•Onsite

About The Position

Boardwalk Pipelines is seeking a Regional Automation Leader for its Channelview, Texas office. The role serves as the regional technical leader and subject matter expert for automation across liquid pipeline and facility assets. The leader provides technical authority, direction, and decision support across Operations, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, Cybersecurity, commissioning, contractors, and vendors, ensuring automation systems are safe, reliable, compliant, secure, and supportable throughout the asset lifecycle. The role has no direct supervisory responsibility and influences outcomes through technical leadership, collaboration, and risk-based recommendations. The position provides advanced on-call and onsite troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution for automation and related electrical, instrumentation, and communications systems. It develops, modifies, commissions, maintains, and supports control systems and contributes to automation project planning, technical reviews, testing, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness. It also supports modernization, security, regulatory compliance, and the technical development and qualification of regional I&E personnel. Extensive regional travel is required, approximately 70%, primarily within the assigned support area, including day trips and periodic overnight travel. Field presence is required for critical activities such as Factory Acceptance Testing, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting. The company maintains a drug-free workplace and requires pre-employment drug and substance abuse testing.

Requirements

At least 7 years of industrial automation or control systems experience in liquid or gas transmission, pipeline, terminal, plant, or related industrial facilities.
Strong knowledge of liquid pumping facilities, station operations, ancillary equipment, industrial control systems, instrumentation, and electrical power systems.
Hands-on proficiency with PLC and HMI platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Citect, Wonderware, or equivalent systems.
Ability to read, develop, or review control logic, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, electrical one-lines, schematics, cause-and-effect tables, I/O schedules, panel designs, bills of materials, and network architectures.
Knowledge of switchgear, VFDs, motor starters, generators, conduit and cable sizing, hazardous area classifications, NEC, and industrial electrical standards.
Experience supporting geographically distributed assets and providing advanced technical support locally and remotely.
Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes without direct authority and work effectively across Operations, Engineering, SCADA, IT/OT, contractors, and vendors.
Strong logical problem-solving, root cause analysis, written communication, verbal communication, and documentation skills.
Ability to work independently, respond to critical field needs, and travel approximately 70% of the time.
Valid driver license and clean driving record.
High school diploma and relevant job experience.
Ability to complete pre-employment drug and substance abuse testing.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years supporting PLC-based control systems in a liquid pipeline, terminal, or plant environment.
Experience specifying, designing, installing, testing, and commissioning control systems, end devices, electrical equipment, SCADA systems, and automation networks.
Experience leading FAT, SAT, functional testing, commissioning, startup, and operational-readiness activities.
Experience managing automation projects, budgets, forecasts, contractors, scopes of work, and field installations.
Experience developing and delivering I&E or automation training and supporting technical qualification or Operator Qualification programs.
Experience participating in PHAs, safety reviews, risk assessments, incident investigations, or PHMSA regulatory and audit support.
Associate’s degree in a technical field.

Responsibilities

Provide advanced on-call and onsite troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and resolution for PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, electrical power, communications, and automation network issues.
Investigate high-impact reliability and availability issues, failures, upsets, and abnormal operating conditions, and develop corrective and preventive measures.
Develop, modify, commission, maintain, and support control systems for pump units, generators, station PLC/HMI and SCADA systems, automation networks, and ancillary equipment.
Lead or participate in reviewing and approving automation and electrical deliverables, including diagrams, plans, safety documentation, electrical designs, cause-and-effect documents, I/O schedules, panel drawings, bills of materials, network architectures, and power and communications schematics.
Develop automation scopes of work, budgetary cost estimates, procurement strategies, commissioning plans, and project recommendations aligned with operational standards and long-term maintainability.
Lead or support vendor FAT, SAT, functional testing, construction quality inspections, commissioning, startup, SCADA checkout, documentation turnover, and operational readiness.
Champion and manage assigned automation projects, including approvals, costs, forecasting, contractor coordination, installation oversight, commissioning, completion, and closeout.
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, hazardous area classifications, NEC requirements, company standards, Operations and Maintenance procedures, work instructions, and automation documentation requirements.
Support secure architectures, practical operational controls, and modernization of obsolete PLCs, HMIs, networks, and vendor systems.
Lead the technical development and support of regional I&E personnel through training, coaching, mentoring, knowledge transfer, technical roundtables, evaluations, and qualification support.
Support Operator Qualification and technical qualification programs through evaluations, validations, and assessments, and participate as an automation subject matter expert on interview panels.
Coordinate across Operations, Area Management, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, IT/OT, vendors, and contractors; participate in project reviews; and provide clear written recommendations and risk-based decision support.
Promote a healthy work environment and participate in initiatives to prevent injuries, accidents, and property damage.
Participate as the automation subject matter expert in process hazard analyses, safety reviews, job hazard analyses, risk assessments, incident or equipment-failure investigations, and applicable regulatory or audit activities.
Keep required training current.