Senior Principal Process Automation Engineer

Long-Term Contract Opportunity Houston, Texas

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Principal Process Automation Engineer to lead complex industrial automation initiatives and help drive the growth of innovative digital, autonomous, and advanced technology solutions across industrial markets. This role is ideal for a technically strong engineering leader with deep automation expertise, consulting experience, and a passion for delivering impactful solutions that improve operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

This is a contract-to-hire opportunity based in Houston, TX, supporting major capital projects across energy, chemical, petrochemical, mining, Client, offshore, and industrial manufacturing environments.

Position Overview

The Senior Principal Process Automation Engineer will play a key role in developing and executing automation strategies for large-scale industrial projects while supporting business growth initiatives and client engagement efforts. This individual will work closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, contractors, vendors, and system integrators through all phases of project execution from concept development through commissioning and handover.

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, technically advanced, collaborative, and capable of leading automation teams on highly complex projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of complex industrial automation and control systems projects.
• Support business development efforts through proposal development, scope definition, estimating, and client engagement.
• Identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities in digital transformation, automation, and autonomous operations technologies.
• Coordinate project interfaces with engineering partners, construction contractors, equipment manufacturers, system integrators, and project management teams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams including process, civil, structural, piping, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
• Assist in developing project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and staffing plans.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and work process enhancements.
• Take ownership of project delivery including quality, cost control, schedule adherence, and client satisfaction.
• Lead automation engineering efforts through all project phases including:
  • Conceptual studies
  • Front-end engineering and design (FEED)
  • Detailed engineering
  • Construction support
  • Commissioning and startup
  • Validation and handover
• Mentor and lead automation engineering teams in a collaborative, multicultural environment.
• Travel as required to support client sites, field programs, FAT/SAT activities, and commissioning efforts.

Technical Responsibilities

• Configure and integrate DCS, SIS, and PLC systems including:
  • Point building
  • Complex loop configuration from P&IDs
  • Hardware setup and integration
  • HMI development and configuration
• Develop automation system architecture and control philosophies.
• Participate in process safety studies and SIL determination activities.
• Develop and review:
  • Instrument indexes
  • I/O indexes
  • Cause and effect diagrams
  • Binary logic diagrams
  • Instrument datasheets
  • Network architecture diagrams
  • FAT/SAT protocols
  • Proof test procedures
  • Construction work packages
  • Project execution plans and schedules
• Support instrumentation selection, specification, procurement, and installation activities.
• Provide field support during construction, commissioning, startup, and operational handover.
• Support control system lifecycle activities from planning and development through testing, commissioning, and operational support.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required (Electrical, Instrumentation, Computer Systems, or related discipline).
• Must be eligible to obtain a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in the applicable state.
• P.E. license preferred.
• Significant experience leading industrial automation and control systems projects.
• Strong consulting background with experience in project scoping, proposal support, client engagement, and project delivery.
• Extensive experience configuring:
  • DCS systems
  • SIS systems
  • PLC systems
  • HMI platforms
• Strong understanding of process safety and control systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience across all engineering project phases from concept through commissioning.
• Experience supporting construction management, FAT/SAT, installation qualification, commissioning, and startup activities.