Senior Automation Engineer

Overview:

Would you like to play a pivotal & instrumental role in the integration of Pembina Pipeline’s midstream asset base, across ~ 18,000+ km of pipe, facilities & infrastructure in an evolving energy market?

Pembina’s Calgary Office is actively hiring a Senior Automation Engineer for a 12-Month Contract Term with an option to extend.  Reporting to the Director, Engineering & Construction group, core part of Pembina’s Project execution team within the Engineering & Construction Team.

The Senior Automation Engineer Consultant is an accomplished industry expert engaged to provide immediate technical leadership and project execution support across Pembina's capital project portfolio. Leveraging extensive experience in automation, controls, commissioning, and operational readiness, the consultant will quickly integrate with multidisciplinary teams, establish strong stakeholder relationships, and provide strategic guidance from concept selection through startup and turnover. The role demands a rare combination of technical depth, commercial awareness, leadership, and execution expertise to balance customer expectations, project objectives, and operational requirements while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions. Acting as a trusted advisor to project, engineering, construction, commissioning, and operations teams, the consultant will develop clear execution strategies, mitigate technical and schedule risks, and ensure projects are positioned for safe, reliable, and successful delivery from day one.

As part of Pembina’s Project Delivery & Technical Excellence business area, the Engineering & Construction team plays a critical role in advancing the company’s growth by developing and delivering safe, reliable, and efficient energy infrastructure. You will have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects, work alongside talented technical and operational professionals, and contribute to assets that create long-term value for our business, customers, and communities.

Responsibilities may include but not limited to:

• Champion Pembina’s Zero by Choice safety culture and Life Saving Rules by embedding physical, psychological, and cyber safety into all work practices while taking personal accountability to maintain compliance, support audit readiness, proactively identify risks, and protect our people, assets, and data; 
• Act as a trusted advisor and technical leader, providing expert guidance to project teams, contractors, operations personnel, and leadership stakeholders;
• Work collaboratively across Engineering, Project Management, Construction Management, Commissioning, Operations, Logistics, Scheduling, and external partners to develop practical, fit-for-purpose, and cost-effective project solutions;
• Lead the development of project scopes, engineering execution strategies, design basis documents, technical work packages, and automation execution plans;
• Support projects through concept selection, feasibility studies, FEED, detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, startup, and operational handover;
• Provide senior technical leadership for automation, process controls, instrumentation, electrical integration, SCADA, telecommunications, and industrial network systems across greenfield and brownfield developments;
• Serve as the technical authority for automation integration, shutdown systems, operational readiness, and commissioning strategy;
• Lead development, governance, review, and implementation of Shutdown Keys (SDKs), control philosophies, control narratives, and automation standards;
• Review and approve engineering deliverables, contractor work products, and system designs, ensuring compliance with corporate standards, operational requirements, and industry best practices;
• Plan and lead critical testing and verification activities including HFATs, SIFTs, SATs, control system validations, communications testing, alarm management, and interlock verification;
• Develop commissioning execution plans, startup strategies, turnover plans, testing procedures, acceptance criteria, and deficiency management processes;
• Lead multidisciplinary commissioning, startup, and facility integration activities, including brownfield cutovers, tie-ins, and live operating facility modifications;
• Participate in HAZOP, LOPA, PHA, MOC, PSSR, operational readiness, and risk management processes, ensuring automation systems align with process safety requirements;
• Support project estimating, risk assessment, execution planning, constructability reviews, and schedule development;
• Provide mentorship and technical coaching to engineers, technologists, project teams, and operations personnel while sharing lessons learned and industry best practices;
• Present complex technical concepts, project recommendations, and risk assessments to audiences ranging from field personnel to senior leadership, translating technical issues into clear business outcomes
• Support operations teams during startup, stabilization, troubleshooting, and performance optimization activities;
• Travel periodically to project sites, fabrication facilities, contractor offices, and commissioning locations to support execution, testing, integration, and startup activities; and
• Support and participate in an inclusive, equitable, diverse workplace.

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Engineering Technology or related discipline;
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) or P.L.Eng. designation in good standing with APEGA;
• 10+ years of progressive experience in electrical, instrumentation, automation, controls, commissioning, and project execution within industrial environments;
• 4+ years of experience supporting projects within an engineering consulting or EPC environment.
• Strong expertise with DCS, PLC, RTU, SCADA, industrial communications, system integration, and control system architectures;
• Experience with major control platforms including Emerson DeltaV, ROC, FB3000, OMNI, Spirit IT, Honeywell Experion, Rockwell ControlLogix, Schneider Modicon, and Geo SCADA;
• Working knowledge of control system configuration, standards development, alarm management, HMI design, cybersecurity, and system security administration;
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing control and shutdown philosophies for gas processing, compression, refrigeration, terminal, amine, and pipeline facilities;
• Proven success leading HFAT, SIFT, SAT, commissioning, startup, and operational readiness activities;
• Experience developing and reviewing EIC engineering work packages, including loop drawings, network architectures, communications systems, wiring diagrams, control panel designs, grounding, cybersecurity, and third-party system integrations;
• Strong understanding of HAZOP, LOPA, PHA, MOC, project governance, risk management, and lifecycle project execution;
• Experience managing engineering consultants, contractors, vendors, and system integrators;
• Strong technical knowledge of pipeline, compression, pumping, and gas processing facilities and their associated control systems;
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business solutions and influence stakeholders at all levels;
• Proven ability to work independently in fast-paced, evolving environments while managing competing priorities and delivering results with minimal oversight;
• Highly organized, adaptable, and solutions-focused with a strong sense of ownership and accountability;
• Strong relationship-building, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills across multidisciplinary teams;
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with a mentoring mindset and commitment to developing technical capability within project and operational teams; and
• Self-motivated, results-oriented professional with a strong work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to tackle complex challenges.

While Calgary-based candidates residing within 100 km of Calgary, AB are preferred, Pembina recognizes exceptional talent can be found beyond traditional geographic boundaries. Remote work arrangements may be considered for the right candidate that are residents of Canada.