Instrument Technician

Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, has the mission to become the premier LNG export company in North America by bringing clean energy from Texas to power the world. We seek to do this in a way that values safety, integrity, our people, community, and the environment.

About the role

The Instrument Technician is responsible for conducting complex instrument maintenance activities at Golden Pass LNG (GPLNG) plant safely and competently, without supervision. Prioritize instrument maintenance work through Risk-based Work selection to ensure short- and long-term LNG plant safe condition, reliable operation and integrity. Apply best-in-class safe work practices to instrument maintenance including consideration of SIMOPS; ensure “nobody gets hurt”. Provide on-the-job training for less experienced instrument maintenance technicians such that the instrument maintenance team performance is continually improved. Interface with Plant Operations, other Maintenance disciplines, Engineering and Safety, Health and Environment to ensure best-in-class LNG Plant safety and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance, repairs, and preventive maintenance on instrumentation and control systems across LNG manufacturing trains, Utilities, Storage, and LNG tanker loading areas.
• Apply correct tools, diagnostic equipment, vendor literature, technical manuals, loop drawings, P&IDs, blueprints, and schematic diagrams to complete maintenance tasks with technical accuracy.
• Take immediate leadership action during safety events or production downtime by troubleshooting instrumentation faults, helping secure the area, and restoring safe, stable operation as quickly as possible.
• Review work packs in advance (i.e., at least 12–24 hrs.), develop required PSMS discussions and permits for supervisor review.
• Provide input to instrument maintenance planning, applying risk-based work selection to prioritize tasks that most impact reliability, safety, and operational availability.
• Provide input and insight to Planning on the development and improvement of execution work plans, supporting accuracy, task clarity, and effective sequencing.
• Support short- and long-term maintenance planning by highlighting labor requirements, access constraints, materials, tools, and potential risk factors.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and process control issues that impact—or may impact—safety, reliability, plant integrity, or SIMOPS taking proactive steps to prevent failures.
• Report bad actor instruments and control system components to the Maintenance Reliability Team to support troubleshooting, PM optimization, and failure investigation.
• Ensure strict adherence to the Golden Pass Management System (GPMS), including recognizing, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with instrumentation work that affects SIMOPS.
• Ensure process safety risk assessments (e.g., JSA, LOTO, energy isolation, functional testing) are applied to all instrumentation maintenance activities.
• Verify that all instrumentation work is properly isolated, depressurized/de-energized, locked out, tagged out, and tested to confirm safe job readiness.
• Ensure that all regulatory required instrumentation work is completed accurately, compliant with specifications, and within required timelines.
• Provide accurate and timely documentation in the Centralized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), including work orders, findings, test results, and materials used.
• Provide expert input during instrumentation toolbox meetings, reinforcing safe work practices, job hazards, system interactions, and field expectations.
• Guide less experienced technicians in diagnostic techniques, calibration procedures, proper use of tools, and interpretation of technical documentation.
• Promote continuous learning in instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting, safety procedures, and control system fundamentals.
• Use advanced diagnostic, calibration, and loop testing tools to improve troubleshooting accuracy and maintenance effectiveness.
• Support Planning and Reliability teams by recommending technology-driven improvements such as:
  • Enhanced data capture
  • Improved CMMS job plans
  • Better diagnostic equipment
  • Predictive or condition-monitoring tools
• Participate in identifying opportunities for instrumentation and control system improvements that reduce downtime and enhance reliability.

Requirements

• High school and/or GED (Technical college diploma preferred).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience as an instrument technician maintaining instrument and process controls in a large process plant.
• In-depth knowledge of plant instrumentation and controls including all types of instrumentation process variable devices and end devices such as switches and control valves.
• Good understanding of machinery controls (Motor controls, GE Speedtronic and Compressor Controls).
• Understanding of process safety and inherent risks of working in a hydrocarbon environment.
• Competent at troubleshooting and solving complex instrumentation and process control problems to ensure plant safety and reliability.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the SSHE/WMS/GPMS/CIMS/FIMS requirements. Experience in the application of these management systems, including monitoring effectiveness and driving improvement.
• Fully conversant with all safety and work permitting process and procedures, HAZOP Program, Incident Reporting, and Environmental Response.

Skills

• Driven to achieve best-in-class instrumentation and process control reliability, dependability, safety, and integrity results.
• Self-starter with ability to work strategically under little direction.
• Able to navigate through HMI displays on various types of equipment.
• Ability to use PI Vision to interrogate process trends to proactively identify and rectify process control issues thus averting unsafe conditions and LNG product manufacturing downtime.
• Strong attention to detail.

Qualifications

• State issued Current and Valid Driver’s License – Pursuant to PHMSA, this is a DOT covered position with all applicable laws and regulations pertaining thereof.
• Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) – Must possess a valid TWIC card or be able to obtain one prior to employment.
• Covered task qualification.

Working Conditions

• May be outside in typical Texas weather for 10-hour shifts with periodic health breaks and/or in LNG Plant control room.
• During emergencies and process upsets, potential exists for overtime past the normal 10-hour shift.

Physical Requirements

• Sufficiently physically fit to endure working conditions stated above.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at times.