Automation Lead - Control Systems
Posted date [2026-06-03]
(ID: 45978)
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Founded in 1971, ADNOC is a leading diversified energy group, wholly owned by the Abu Dhabi Government. Our network of fully integrated businesses operates across the energy value chain, helping us to responsibly meet the demands of an ever-changing energy market.
Already in the top tier of the lowest carbon intensity oil and gas producers in the world, we are taking significant steps to make today’s energy cleaner while investing in the clean energies of tomorrow, strengthening our position as a reliable and responsible global energy provider. We are allocating an initial $23 billion to advance and accelerate lower-carbon solutions, investing in new energies and decarbonization technologies to enable our net zero by 2045 ambition and our commitment to zero methane emissions by 2030. ... |
Job Description and Requirements
Automation Lead - Control SystemsJob Snapshot
Role: Automation Lead - Control Systems
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Automation Robotics
Experience: 8-12 years in automation, control systems, technical projects, or petrochemical operations
Job Type: Full-time
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Automation Robotics
Salary: 38000-56000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Automation Lead - Control Systems in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is an Oil and Energy opportunity for a senior automation professional with strong experience in control systems reliability, instrumentation and automation design, technical project support, FEED and EPC reviews, commissioning, OT cybersecurity, CMMS usage, and petrochemical plant operations. This role is focused on leading automation and control activities for Borouge plants to improve system availability, equipment reliability, operational safety, and long-term plant performance.
Role Context
The Automation Lead - Control Systems will act as a technical authority for automation systems, supporting plant operations, maintenance, reliability, projects, engineering, and turnaround activities. The role has direct impact on production continuity by ensuring automation and control systems are properly designed, maintained, backed up, secured, tested, commissioned, and aligned with approved standards. It also supports major technical decisions across modifications, upgrades, vendor selection, system changes, abnormal condition reporting, and process improvement.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead automation and control activities to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Borouge 1 and Borouge 2 plant systems.
* Provide technical expertise for automation, instrumentation, control systems, engineering projects, asset reliability, and maintenance strategy.
* Review proposed modifications to existing standards, drawings, philosophies, technical specifications, and design documents.
* Track historical design issues, lessons learned, design change approvals, and recurring system concerns to support continuous improvement.
* Supervise preparation and review of specifications, drawings, engineering standards, and documentation for automation and control systems.
* Review and approve engineering design and material submissions for plant modifications, renovations, upgrades, and facility improvements.
* Review SPIR and Bill of Material for newly installed equipment and confirm availability in EDMS and SAP.
* Provide technical guidance on instrumentation, automation, design selection, upgrades, modifications, modernization, revamps, expansions, and repairs.
* Draft and review requirements for technology selection, vendor selection, design, installation, and implementation of control and automation systems.
* Advise on technical issues related to instrumentation, automation, and control, and coordinate solutions with relevant personnel.
* Support the cascade of safety critical procedures, operation integrity committee updates, and lessons learned from other assets or ADNOC operating companies.
* Participate in system failure root cause analysis and approve technical modifications to improve equipment efficiency and maintenance strategy.
* Review engineering and system minor changes related to maintenance, reliability enhancement, and operational improvement.
* Ensure high operability and availability of automation systems through proper planning, performance analysis, and technical follow-up.
* Review on-call logs, daily activity reports, abnormal condition reports, and technical findings prepared by automation teams.
* Finalize, review, and evaluate engineering packages for new projects covering automation and control requirements.
* Participate in statement of requirements, scope studies, basic design, detailed design, technology selection, HAZOP, and SIL studies.
* Support factory acceptance tests, site acceptance tests, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and performance testing for automation systems.
* Review FEED and EPC specifications to ensure plant performance, reliability, safety, and cost-effective design outcomes.
* Support technical evaluation of studies, major and minor project bids, vendor prequalification, bidder evaluation, and project personnel assessment.
* Raise contract requests and work service orders for project-related automation jobs.
* Evaluate design changes, scope changes, variations, claims, and technical recommendations related to automation and control systems.
* Ensure new project equipment follows the approved vendor list and meets required technical and reliability standards.
* Engage with vendors to resolve post-commissioning issues and fine-tune automation and control equipment.
* Coordinate instrumentation and control interfaces between existing systems and active projects to support smooth pre-commissioning changeover.
* Monitor automation and control scope during turnaround activities including planning, material readiness, resource availability, safe execution, and close-out.
* Review contractor and engineer bids for technical completeness, work coverage, and automation-related content.
* Lead investigations into major plant incidents involving automation or control systems and ensure corrective actions are clearly defined.
* Screen and approve electronic management of change requests from a technical automation perspective.
* Evaluate work order feedback and prepare action plans to resolve technical issues and prevent recurrence.
* Control and optimize preventive and corrective maintenance costs linked to automation and control systems.
* Implement approved policies, processes, standards, and work programs in line with Borouge and company requirements.
* Update system strategies, work instructions, and standard documents related to automation systems.
* Maintain reliable backups for all automation systems to protect operational continuity and data integrity.
* Ensure OT systems comply with cybersecurity policies and monitor the performance of security measures.
* Perform technical authority duties for automation systems and deputize for the team leader when required.
* Support recruitment and selection activities by preparing technical assessments, interview questions, and evaluation panels.
* Lead the team through performance appraisals, staffing, training, succession planning, and regular technical meetings.
* Support staff development, competency improvement, and professional growth within automation and control disciplines.
* Monitor HSE compliance within the team and lead by example in all safety-related communications, updates, and work practices.
* Propose process improvements that enhance service quality, technical efficiency, customer support, and operational reliability.
* Support integrated risk management by identifying domain risks and implementing mitigation actions.
* Ensure business ethics, data confidentiality, code of conduct, corporate image, and communication standards are followed.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor Degree in Instrumentation and Control, Electronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
* Minimum 8-12 years of technical experience in automation, control systems, technical projects, or operations within oil and gas or petrochemical industries.
* At least 6 years of experience as a Senior Automation Engineer, Senior Technical Engineer, or similar technical role.
* 2-5 years of people management experience in engineering, maintenance, technical support, or plant operations.
* Strong knowledge of automation systems, control systems, instrumentation, DCS, PLC, SCADA, OT systems, and plant reliability practices.
* Experience reviewing FEED, EPC, engineering packages, scope documents, technical specifications, drawings, SPIR, BOM, and vendor submissions.
* Practical involvement in HAZOP, SIL studies, FAT, SAT, pre-commissioning, commissioning, turnaround support, and performance testing.
* Hands-on experience with CMMS and maintenance workflows in petrochemical, oil and gas, or large industrial environments.
* Working knowledge of HSE policies applicable to chemical and petrochemical operations.
* Understanding of planning tools, maintenance strategies, operational integrity, reliability improvement, and technical project execution.
* Ability to manage complex technical issues, overcome execution barriers, and coordinate across multiple departments.
* Knowledge of OT cybersecurity requirements, automation backups, system change control, and control system protection.
* Strong leadership, technical authority, coaching, reporting, analytical, and decision-making skills.
* Fluency in written and spoken English.
* Certified Project Management qualification such as PMP is preferred.
Skills Set
* Automation systems
* Control systems
* Instrumentation and control
* DCS
* PLC
* SCADA
* OT systems
* OT cybersecurity
* Automation backups
* Technical authority
* Plant reliability
* Process control
* Control system reliability
* Engineering specifications
* FEED review
* EPC review
* HAZOP
* SIL study
* FAT
* SAT
* Pre-commissioning
* Commissioning
* Performance testing
* SPIR review
* Bill of Material
* SAP
* EDMS
* CMMS
* Root cause analysis
* Electronic management of change
* Turnaround support
* Vendor evaluation
* Technical bid evaluation
* Contract requests
* Work service orders
* Preventive maintenance
* Corrective maintenance
* Abnormal condition reporting
* Petrochemical operations
* HSE compliance
* Integrated risk management
* Team leadership
Why Join Us
This role gives senior automation professionals the opportunity to influence reliability, safety, and technology performance across major petrochemical operations in Abu Dhabi’s Oil and Energy sector. The position offers exposure to complex automation assets, advanced control systems, FEED and EPC project reviews, OT cybersecurity, commissioning activities, turnaround planning, and technical authority responsibilities in a high-value industrial environment where automation performance directly supports production stability and operational excellence.
About the Company
ADNOC Group is a leading UAE energy organization with operations across exploration, production, refining, storage, distribution, petrochemicals, and gas infrastructure. Through companies such as Borouge, the group supports advanced industrial growth, petrochemical production, safe operations, innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation for Abu Dhabi and the wider energy market.
