Automation Engineer II at Nabors Industries in Houston, TX, United States

Job description

• As an Automation Engineer II, you will help develop the software and automation technologies that power Nabors' industry-leading drilling automation solutions. Your work will directly improve operational consistency, drilling performance, and equipment reliability by delivering new automation capabilities and resolving complex system challenges. This role offers the opportunity to influence next-generation drilling technology while solving real-world engineering problems that have a measurable impact on field operations globally.
• The Automation Engineer II develops and supports PLC-based automation software for Nabors' drilling automation product suite, including SmartDrill and other advanced automation platforms. This role partners closely with product managers, quality teams, field operations, and fellow engineers to transform operational requirements into reliable automation solutions that improve drilling performance and user experience.
• Success in this role means independently developing new software functionality, troubleshooting complex automation issues, and delivering robust solutions that perform reliably in the field. The ideal candidate combines strong PLC programming expertise with a passion for process automation, continuous improvement, and technical problem solving.

Responsibilities

• PLC Software Development & Automation Solutions
• Design, develop, and enhance PLC-based automation software that improves drilling performance, operational consistency, and equipment utilization.
• Translate product requirements into scalable control logic and automation features that support Nabors' drilling automation platforms.
• Develop software enhancements, functionality upgrades, and automation capabilities aligned to business and operational needs.
• Apply structured programming and software engineering practices to deliver maintainable, high-quality code.
• Sustaining Engineering & Technical Problem Solving
• Investigate, diagnose, and resolve software defects identified through field operations, testing activities, and product releases.
• Analyze operational data, system logs, and automation performance metrics to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and deploy software patches that improve system stability, reliability, and user experience.
• Drive long-term solutions that reduce recurring issues and improve product performance across the automation portfolio.
• Product Validation & Quality Collaboration
• Partner with quality and testing teams to validate new functionality and identify software defects before deployment.
• Support iterative testing cycles by evaluating feedback, addressing findings, and refining automation solutions.
• Verify functionality against requirements and ensure software performs as intended across operational scenarios.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of development, testing, and release processes.
• Cross-Functional Engineering Partnership
• Collaborate with automation engineers, drilling subject matter experts, operations personnel, and product stakeholders to develop effective technical solutions.
• Interpret business and operational requirements and translate them into software functionality.
• Support multiple automation products while building technical expertise across the broader drilling automation portfolio.
• Communicate technical recommendations, risks, project progress, and solution impacts to stakeholders clearly and effectively.

Requirements

• Required Skills
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, military experience, and relevant industry experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of experience developing, programming, and supporting PLC-based automation or industrial control systems.
• Demonstrated experience with Rockwell Automation platforms (RSLogix/Studio 5000) or comparable PLC systems.
• Strong PLC programming and process automation expertise, including the ability to develop automation logic from functional requirements.
• Experience designing, supporting, and troubleshooting industrial control systems involving instrumentation, sensors, drives, communications, and machine automation.
• Proven ability to diagnose complex software, controls, and system integration issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement sustainable solutions.
• Experience working with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC, Profibus, or similar technologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications, electrical schematics, and operational requirements to develop effective automation solutions.
• Experience supporting software and automation systems throughout the development, testing, deployment, and operational support lifecycle.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with the ability to partner effectively across engineering, quality, operations, manufacturing, and field teams.
• Ability to support occasional after-hours operational issues and travel up to 10% as needed.
• Experience with drilling automation, drilling rig controls, oil and gas operations, or other industrial automation environments.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms and ladder logic programming.
• Experience supporting process automation systems in manufacturing, mining, power generation, chemical processing, marine, or other heavy industrial environments.
• Familiarity with industrial communications protocols and networked control systems.
• Experience with Python, C, or other programming languages used in automation or software development environments.
• Exposure to SmartDrill, directional drilling automation, or similar advanced automation technologies.
• Understanding of quality testing, defect resolution, and software release processes.

Skills

Required

• PLC programming
• Process automation
• Industrial control systems
• Root-cause analysis
• Software development lifecycle
• Collaboration and communication

Preferred

• Drilling automation
• Drilling rig controls
• Oil and gas operations
• Ladder logic programming
• Industrial communications protocols