Manager Controls and Automation PDC

About the Role

The Technical Lead – Robotics Systems Integration provides technical leadership for the design, development, integration, testing, and deployment of automation systems supporting Patterson-UTI's land drilling fleet. This hands-on leadership role focuses on developing automation system architecture that enables seamless operation of automated equipment and robotic systems with existing drilling machinery, including the drawworks, top drive, mud pumps, catwalk, iron roughneck, pipe handling equipment, and other rig systems.

Working closely with Product Management, Controls Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Operations, Technical Services, HSE, and third-party vendors, this role converts drilling workflows into scalable automation solutions through PLC software development, controls architecture, machine sequencing, and multi-machine coordination. The successful candidate will remain actively involved in software architecture, PLC programming, systems integration, troubleshooting, testing, and field commissioning while leading a team of Senior Controls Systems Engineers and Controls Systems Engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of automation system architectures supporting rig automation and automated equipment integration.
• Design scalable distributed control architectures coordinating multiple drilling machines.
• Define controller responsibilities across PLCs, HMIs, robot controllers, and supervisory control systems.
• Develop equipment interfaces, task interfaces, communication architectures, and controller interaction strategies.
• Design command arbitration, control authority, synchronization, equipment ownership, and machine handshakes.
• Develop Functional Specifications, Interface Control Documents, Sequence of Operations, and system architecture documentation.
• Standardize automation architectures for fleet-wide deployment.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership for PLC software development and automation system integration, including software design, PLC programming, debugging, testing, code reviews, commissioning, and field support.
• Define PLC software architecture, controller partitioning, communication strategies, and data ownership.
• Develop reusable PLC software frameworks, software libraries, coding standards, and architecture guidelines.
• Review software implementations for compliance with engineering standards.
• Convert drilling workflows into coordinated automation sequences, including machine tasks, task interfaces, state machines, workflow logic, and Sequence of Operations.
• Define operating modes, machine states, permissives, interlocks, alarms, and diagnostics.
• Design multi-machine coordination, command arbitration, and control authority, including fault handling and recovery strategies.
• Lead integration of automated equipment with Patterson-UTI drilling systems, defining communication interfaces between automated equipment, drilling equipment, safety systems, and supervisory controllers.
• Support integration of the drawworks, top drive, mud pumps, catwalk, iron roughneck, and pipe handling equipment.
• Identify equipment limitations and define required hardware, controls, instrumentation, or software modifications.
• Coordinate integration activities across engineering disciplines and vendors.
• Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, and deployment planning.
• Lead and develop a team of Senior Controls Systems Engineers and Controls Systems Engineers, including assigning engineering work and providing day-to-day technical leadership.
• Review PLC software, software architecture, machine sequencing, and control strategies.
• Mentor engineers in PLC programming, systems integration, and automation architecture.
• Establish engineering standards, software development practices, and design review processes.
• Serve as the technical authority for rig automation architecture and multi-machine control systems.
• Develop integration test plans and support simulation, FAT, SAT, commissioning, and field deployment.
• Troubleshoot controls, software, communications, and integration issues.
• Validate workflow execution, equipment interfaces, and system performance.
• Capture lessons learned and improve future automation platforms.
• Develop reusable automation architectures, PLC software libraries, and engineering standards.
• Standardize machine interfaces and automation design practices.
• Improve software quality, engineering efficiency, and maintainability.
• Support the long-term rig automation technology roadmap.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechanical, Mechatronics, Robotics, Computer Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• 7+ years designing and developing PLC-based industrial automation systems.
• 5+ years leading automation or controls engineering projects.
• Expert knowledge of PLC programming, industrial automation, and machine control systems.
• Experience with distributed control systems, PLC software architecture, state machines, machine sequencing, multi-machine coordination, command arbitration, and industrial communication protocols.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams while remaining actively involved in technical execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Willingness to travel regularly to Patterson-UTI facilities, vendor locations, customer sites, and drilling rigs.
• Ability to safely work in office, shop, manufacturing, and field environments using required PPE.
• Physical ability to:
  • Lift and carry 50 pounds independently while walking on uneven surfaces.
  • Bend, stoop, kneel, twist, and crawl occasionally during visits to the field and operational work areas.
  • Listen for unusual noises that signify equipment and or machinery problems.
  • Stay alert and focused including during occasional extended work periods.
  • Maintain spatial orientation and awareness to safely move around the work environment with many moving objects including overhead machinery.
  • Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all designated times.
• Ability to work on weekends and be on call after hours as needed.
• Demonstrated ability in the following leadership competencies:
  • Builds and Maintains Effective Relationships
  • Develops Self and Others
  • Builds Effective Teams
  • Courageous Leadership
  • Managing Vision and Purpose
  • Business Acumen
  • Drive for Results
  • Customer Focus
  • Decision Quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with drilling rig control systems and drilling equipment.
• Experience developing and integrating industrial automation systems.
• Experience integrating robotic equipment into industrial control systems.
• Experience with coordinated motion control applications.
• Knowledge of Functional Safety principles and industrial machine safety.
• Experience with platforms such as Siemens TIA Portal, WinCC, Ignition, Rockwell Automation, or equivalent PLC/HMI platforms.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and distributed control systems.
• Experience supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning, and field deployment.

Schedule

This position requires the ability to work in a time-sensitive, high-visibility role with variable work hours, including weekends, holidays, and extended travel to remote locations. The role may require overnight stays outside the normal office area and on-call availability after hours.