Automation Engineer

California, United States of America

Job Family Group:

Discipline Engineering

Worker Type:

Regular

Posting Start Date:

September 16, 2026

Business Unit:

Trading and Supply

Experience Level:

Experienced Professionals

Job Description:

What’s the role

Shell is seeking an Automation Engineer to join its team at the Carson Terminal in Carson, California.

The Automation Engineer provides technical expertise in Process Automation, Control & Optimization (PACO), instrumentation, control systems, automation, and low-voltage and high-voltage electrical systems across the Americas Distribution & Midstream business.

As a member of the Americas Automation, Controls, & Electrical (ACE) organization, the role supports safe, reliable, and efficient operation of assets by providing local, on-site troubleshooting, engineering support, technical assurance, threat mitigation, and project support. The Automation Engineer serves as a key technical resource for all Instrumentation, Control, & Electrical (IC&E) related activities, with a specialization in process control systems and automation technologies while contributing to reliability improvements, causal investigations, assurance activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.

This role will be based in Carson, CA, with a primary focus on West Coast U.S. assets. However, it may also support opportunities, threats, or project-related work across the Americas region (U.S. and Canada) based on business priorities. The position requires working on-site at the Carson Terminal in Carson, California, at least four days per week and the ability to travel to other regional assets up to 40% of the time. Relocation assistance will be provided to successful candidates who are not currently based in the area.

Accountabilities:

• Safe, reliable, and compliant operation of automation, control, and instrumentation systems

• Effective troubleshooting and resolution of PACO and electrical system issues

• Delivery of technical support for threat mitigation, operational improvement, and business opportunity projects

• Consistent application of ACE standards, engineering practices, and process control principles

• Support for automation, digitalization, and reliability improvement initiatives across the Americas region

• Provide discipline support and subject matter expertise within the PACO and Electrical disciplines

• Support process control systems, PLCs, RTUs, SCADA, tank gauging, communications, instrumentation, and automation architectures

• Identify process requirements and develop practical automation and control solutions to support operational and business objectives

• Support optimization of control strategies and automation performance

• Provide electrical support, including arc flash studies and maintenance of critical documentation (e.g. area classification and one-line diagrams)

• Act as a technical resource for troubleshooting automation, instrumentation, controls, and electrical issues

• Support diagnosis and resolution of:

  • Rack control system issues

  • Pump tuning and optimization

  • VFD performance issues

  • PLC and control logic issues

  • Instrumentation and communications failures

  • Electrical distribution and motor control issues

• Provide technical support during operational upsets and significant equipment failures

• Provide automation, controls, instrumentation, and electrical engineering support for capital and expense projects

• Participate in design reviews, technical evaluations, commissioning, startup, FAT, and SAT activities

• Support implementation of automation improvements and business opportunity projects

• Provide electrical engineering support for project work that does not involve high-voltage system engineering

• Participate in assurance reviews, risk assessments, and technical evaluations.

• Support causal investigations, incident reviews, and root cause analysis activities

• Lead or support mitigation of high-risk technical threats involving automation, controls, instrumentation, and electrical systems

• Provide technical expertise to support risk management and continuous improvement initiatives

• Work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Asset Engineering, AITS, and Project Delivery teams

• Provide technical guidance and coaching to technicians and operations personnel

• Support implementation of ACE standards, preferred practices, and lessons learned

• Contribute to regional initiatives involving automation, remote operations, controls modernization, and digitalization

What you bring

• Must have legal authorization to work in the US on a full-time basis for anyone other than current employer

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline

• At least 10 years of experience in automation, controls, instrumentation, electrical engineering, or facility engineering roles

• Strong practical experience with any of the following:

  • PLC systems (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix preferred)

  • SCADA and RTU systems

  • Industrial communication networks

  • Instrumentation and control systems

  • VFDs, motor controls, MCCs, and electrical distribution systems

  • Tank gauging and measurement systems

• Experience troubleshooting automation and control systems in operational environments

• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards, process safety principles, and risk management practices

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder engagement skills

What we offer

The base salary range for this position is $124,000 - $ 186,000 per year.  Individual pay will be based on various factors, such as relevant work experience, education, certifications, skill level, seniority, and internal equity.

For regular full-time or regular part-time employees of the Company (participating companies as listed in the Summary Plan Description), insurance coverage options include medical, dental, vision coverage, life Insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs. Employees also participate in a company pension plan and a 401(k) plan. Paid leave includes up to 6 weeks of paid vacation time, up to 11 paid holidays, and parental leave offering 16 weeks of paid leave for birthing parents, and 8 weeks of paid leave for non-birthing parents.

Additionally, employees are eligible for short-term disability leave for up to 26 weeks at 100% or 50% of base pay as well as Long-Term Disability insurance. Shell also offers other compensation such as financial reimbursement for adoption, wellness, education, and personal learning expenses, and some roles are eligible for discretionary long-term incentives.  For interns, eligible benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, Business Travel Accident Insurance, and Occupational Accidental Death Benefit programs; participation in a 401(k) plan; and paid leave for up to 11 paid holidays.  Additional information on Shell’s US benefit programs can be found at https://www.shell.us/careers/about-careers-at-shell/rewards-and-benefits.html.

You bring your skills and experience to Shell and in return you work with talented, committed people on one of the most important challenges facing our planet. You’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills you need to grow in an environment where we value honesty, integrity, and respect for one another. You’ll be able to balance your priorities as you become the best version of yourself.

• Progress as a person as we work on the energy transition together

• Continuously grow the transferable skills you need to get ahead

• Work at the forefront of technology, trends, and practices

• Collaborate with experienced colleagues with unique expertise

• Achieve your balance in a values-led culture that encourages you to be the best version of yourself

• Benefit from flexible working hours, and the possibility of remote/mobile working

• Perform at your best with a competitive starting salary and annual performance related salary increase – our pay and benefits packages are considered to be among the best in the world.

• Take advantage of paid parental leave, including for non-birthing parents

• Join an organization working to become one of the most diverse and inclusive in the world. We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ages, ethnicities, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, and life experiences to apply

• Grow as you progress through diverse career opportunities in national and international teams

• Gain access to a wide range of training and development programs

We'd like you to know that Shell has a bold goal: to become one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies. You can get to know more about how we're working towards that goal, click here.

Shell in The United States

Shell has been in the US for more than 100 years, leading the sector in energy, petrochemicals and refined products.  Today, we provide millions of Americans with the energy needed to heat and cool their homes and power the economy. 

We operate in all 50 states, from our Deepwater platforms in the Gulf of America to the Pennsylvania Chemicals complex and our miles of pipelines throughout the US.

We reach our customers through our 13,000 branded retail stations, and we are number 1 in gasoline sales. We also own the #1 brand of motor oil in the U.S. – Pennzoil® – made from natural gas.

We are excited to play a key role in the move to net carbon emissions while providing the oil and gas needed by society for many decades to come.

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DISCLAIMER:

Please note: We occasionally amend or withdraw Shell jobs and reserve the right to do so at any time, including prior to the advertised closing date. Before applying, you are advised to read our data protection policy. This policy describes the processing that may be associated with your personal data and informs you that your personal data may be transferred to Shell/Shell Group companies around the world. The Shell Group and its approved recruitment consultants will never ask you for a fee to process or consider your application for a career with Shell. Anyone who demands such a fee is not an authorised Shell representative and you are strongly advised to refuse any such demand. Shell participates in E-Verify. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. Shell is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disability. As a US Federal Contractor, hiring selections are subject to periodic audit review and documentation of your selections should be maintained for a period of three calendar years. It is the policy of Shell in the U.S. (“Shell”) to provide equal opportunity to all individuals, employees and all qualified applicants for employment consistent with employment requirements and qualifications. Shell prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, citizenship, genetic information, or other protected status under federal, state or local laws. All employees are expected to support this policy and contribute to an environment of equal opportunity. If you need an accommodation for a disability during the resourcing process, please speak with an HR representative.