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 optimizationVFD performance issuesPLC 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…