
Automation Specialist
OxyChem · Denver City, TX
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Chemicals
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist controls role at OxyChem (chemicals) in Denver City, TX. It has come to our attention various individuals and/or organizations are contacting people falsely pretending to recruit on behalf of Oxy.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Texas: typical posted base $90k–$132k.
Median of the low and high ends of 9 live postings that list pay, out of 78 controls engineer openings in Texas, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Texas plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 77 other live controls postings in Texas.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $90k–$132k, from 9 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 83%
- ✓ Automation 76%
- Robotics 37%
- EHS / safety 27%
- Root cause 22%
- Python 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at OxyChem
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Chuck → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: OxyChem in Denver City
No other open roles at this site right now · 1 person we found on the controls team.
Full description from OxyChemAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Responsible for proper installation, function tests and calibration of all automation equipment meeting engineering design specifications on facilities
Responsible for point-to-point and loop checks on all devices
Support coordinating oversight of automation commissioning with Project Manager
Support project status reporting to ensure entry on project tracking tool
Provide on-site automation support on facilities during start up when production is introduced to the facility
Serve as technical resource for facility controls systems and field instrumentation including level, pressure, flow, vibration, and other instruments
Ensure commissioning activities are executed in compliance with relevant industry and company Process Control standards
Ensure compliance with MOC process
Identify problem areas with instrumentation and control systems and report to automation engineering for improvement opportunities
Qualifications
2-year Instrumentation or Automation technology degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher (or foreign equivalent), or equivalent technical working experience with a good track record of safety
3+ years of Oil Field experience
Intermediate knowledge of well RTU designs, programming and troubleshooting
Intermediate knowledge of analog and discrete instrumentation, and various serial and ethernet communications protocols
Intermediate knowledge of technical standards and guidelines (API, NEC, NFPA, IEEE, ISA, etc.)
Basic knowledge of maintaining PLC programs in function block, ladder logic, and structured text
Basic knowledge of maintaining local HMI operator interfaces
Ability and willingness to travel to unassigned job areas on an as-needed basis
Ability and willingness to work under air (fit test) and work from aerial manlift platform
Works safely around instrumentation and electrical systems
Capable of working responsibly with limited supervision
Intermediate knowledge of MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and Windows Operating Systems
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Automation with GPA of 3.0 or higher (or foreign equivalent)
5+ years of Oil Field experience
Strong electrical background with State Accredited license
1+ years of upstream oil and gas automation experience
Experience with Allen-Bradley & Rosemount
Able to read and understand Cause & Effects, P&ID's, wiring diagrams, control narratives, etc.
Basic ability to troubleshoot control networks for well sites, well pads, tank battery, saltwater disposal and compressor stations (ControlNet, Ethernet I/P, Network Switches, fiber optics, RF communications)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively communicate with management, technical, and field personnel
Builds positive relationships based on trust and seeks collaboration across organizational boundaries to achieve goals
Listens actively and invites new ideas for exchanged opinions, then influences and acts to drive positive performance and achieve results
Relocation will not be provided
Occidental does not offer sponsorship of employment-based nonimmigrant visa petitions for this role
Recruitment Fraud
It has come to our attention various individuals and/or organizations are contacting people falsely pretending to recruit on behalf of Oxy. Please be aware that these recruiting scams and communications do not originate nor are they associated with our recruitment process. All Oxy job postings and offers will require a completed application through our company website.
Oxy does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruiting process. We will never:
- ✓Ask you to pay for applications, interviews, meetings, processing, training or for any other fees
- ✓Use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an advance fee of any kind or
- ✓Request personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of our recruitment process.
We recommend against responding to unsolicited business propositions or offers from people you don't know. Do not disclose your personal or financial details. If you believe you have been the victim of a recruiting scam, please contact your local police department.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Oxy produces , markets and transports oil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. The company leverages its global leadership in carbon management to advance lower-carbon technologies and products. Headquartered in Houston, Oxy primarily operates in the United States, Middle East and North Africa. To learn more, visit Oxy
Oxy strives to attract and retain talented employees by investing in their professional development and providing rewarding opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to meet the highest employer standards by ensuring the health and safety of our employees, protecting the environment and positively impacting our communities where we do business.
We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual to fill the position of Automation Specialist within our US Onshore Resources & Carbon Management (ORCM), Production Operations Business Unit based in Denver City, Texas.
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