Electrical & Automation Specialist

Texas United States of America

Job Family Group:

Discipline Engineering

Worker Type:

Regular

Posting Start Date:

October 28 2026

Business Unit:

Downstream and Renewables

Experience Level:

Experienced Professionals

Job Description:

Whats the role

Shell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with a mission to power progress by providing more and cleaner energy solutions. At Shell Technology Center Houston (STCH) we focus on innovation research and technology development to deliver differentiated technology solutions that create competitive advantage for Shell today and for the future.

The Electrical & Automation Specialist will serve as the subject matter expert for electrical power systems instrumentation and control systems at Shell Technology Center Houston. This role provides technical support troubleshooting leadership reliability improvements and field quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for new and existing facilities while ensuring compliance with industry standards Shell DEPs and regulatory requirements.

The Electrical & Automation Specialist will work closely with maintenance operations I&E technicians project engineering contractors and external vendors to maintain safe reliable and compliant operation of electrical and control system assets. The role will also provide technical oversight of engineering design packages commissioning activities SIS maintenance programs and gas detection system lifecycle management.

What youll be doing

Technical Expertise & Troubleshooting

• Lead advanced troubleshooting of LV and MV 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 associated field equipment.
• Support troubleshooting and performance improvement of Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and fixed gas detection systems.
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) for electrical instrumentation and control system failures; develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Provide SME support for electrical safety issues arc-flash studies protection coordination and control system reliability concerns.
• Mentor technicians and contractors in troubleshooting methods maintenance best practices and safe work practices.

Reliability & Maintenance

• 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 to ensure lifecycle compliance.
• Manage and track maintenance calibration testing and reliability activities for fixed gas detection systems.
• Support condition monitoring programs 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 development of reliability improvement plans and maintenance strategies for critical electrical and control system assets.

Projects QA/QC & Engineering Support

• Serve as the field QA/QC representative for electrical instrumentation and control system scope during project execution.
• Review engineering design packages electrical drawings control narratives loop diagrams SIS documentation P&IDs vendor documentation and technical specifications for compliance with facility requirements and applicable standards.
• Provide electrical and instrumentation engineering input for capital and expense projects from design through commissioning and startup.
• Participate in factory acceptance tests (FAT) site acceptance tests (SAT) commissioning activities and system turnover processes.
• 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.

Compliance & Standards

• 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 (MOC) processes.
• Support Functional Safety Management (FSM) activities and ensure SIS documentation testing and maintenance records remain current and compliant.
• Provide technical guidance for hazardous area electrical and instrumentation installations.

What you bring

• Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer
• Minimum 10 years of experience in electrical engineering instrumentation and controls maintenance reliability or project support within the petrochemical refinery laboratory or other industrial sector.
• Skill Level knowledge of LV and MV 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.
• Proven experience leading RCAs 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 interface effectively with operations maintenance project teams contractors and leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensed Electrician
• Degree or other industry-recognized certifications in electrical instrumentation control systems or equivalent discipline.
• Experience with SIS platforms PLC systems DCS systems and industrial communication networks.
• Experience with electrical system modeling tools (ETAP SKM 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/with hazardous area (Class I Div I/II) facilities.
• Familiarity with reliability methodologies (RCM FMEA) and CMMS systems (SAP).
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary projects involving electrical instrumentation controls and automation systems.

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $124000 - $186000per year. Individual pay will be based on various factors such as relevant work experience education certifications skill level seniority and internal equity.

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description) insurance coverage options include medical dental vision coverage life Insurance Business Travel Accident Insurance and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs. Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan. Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time up to 11 paid holidays and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Additionally employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance. Shell also offers other compensation such financial reimbursement for adoption wellness education and personal learning expenses and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives. For interns eligible benefits include medical dental and vision coverage life insurance Business Travel Accident Insurance and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays. Additional information on Shells US benefit programs can be found at bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. Youll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty integrity and respect for one another. Youll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together
• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead
• Work at the forefront of technology trends and practices
• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise
• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself
• Benefit from flexible working hours and the possibility of remote/mobile working
• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.
• Take advantage of paid parental leave including for non-birthing parents
• Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders ages ethnicities cultures abilities sexual orientation and life experiences to apply
• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams
• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs

Wed like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the worlds most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how were working towards that goal click here.

Shell in The United States

With more than 11000 employees Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years and is delivering secure energy supplies across America.

From producing a reliable supply of oil and gas in the US Gulf of America to biofuels our retail sites and EV charging network to marketing and trading electricity generated by gas plants solar and wind power we are one of the few countries where every Shell business is represented.

We are working with our customers to deliver the energy the world needs today and building the energy systems of tomorrow all while creating value for society and shareholders.

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DISCLAIMER:

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