Automation Engineer

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.