Regional Automation Leader

Boardwalk•Channelview, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Boardwalk Pipelines is seeking a Regional Automation Leader for its Channelview, Texas office. The role serves as the regional automation technical leader and subject matter expert for liquid pipeline and facility assets. It provides automation authority, direction, and decision support across Operations, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, Cybersecurity, commissioning, contractors, and vendors, helping ensure systems are safe, reliable, compliant, secure, and maintainable throughout their lifecycle. The position has no direct supervisory responsibility and achieves results through technical leadership, collaboration, and risk-based recommendations. The role provides advanced on-call and onsite troubleshooting, supports automation reliability and modernization, and leads or participates in engineering reviews, project delivery, testing, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness. It also develops regional Instrumentation & Electrical personnel through training and mentoring and supports technical qualification and Operator Qualification activities. Extensive regional travel of approximately 70% is required, including day trips, periodic overnight travel, and field presence during critical testing and commissioning activities. The company describes itself as a midstream natural gas and natural gas liquids operator providing transportation and storage services. It operates 14,000 miles of pipeline and storage assets across 13 states and states that it is committed to environmental stewardship, safety, compliance, and supporting the communities it serves.

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.
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 meet the pre-employment drug and substance abuse testing requirement.

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 failures, upsets, abnormal operating conditions, and high-impact reliability or availability issues; 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 process flow diagrams, P&IDs, plot plans, safety documentation, electrical one-lines, grounding, conduit and cable 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; participate as an automation subject matter expert on interview panels.
Coordinate with Operations, Area Management, Engineering & Construction, SCADA, IT/OT, vendors, and contractors; participate in kickoff, design, construction, and commissioning reviews; provide 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.
Ensure required training remains current.