Automation Project Manager - Drilling HMI Development

Patterson-UTI Drilling

The New Standard for Drilling Performance
Drill safer, smarter and faster with Patterson-UTI Drilling's comprehensive fleet of pad-capable rigs featuring advanced walking systems to enhance your operations so you can reach your apex.

Brief Description:

At Patterson-UTI, our Drilling Controls & Automation team is where innovation meets impact. We're a dynamic, forward-thinking group driven by a shared mission-to revolutionize drilling operations through cutting-edge control and automation technologies. If you're passionate about tech, energized by solving complex problems, and ready to lead high-impact projects, we want to hear from you.

We're currently looking for an Automation Project Manager - Drilling HMI Development to lead a major initiative: the full-scale modernization of the Human Machine Interface (HMI) systems used across our extensive rig fleet. In this pivotal role, you'll shape the future of our drilling control systems-taking ideas from concept through development, rigorous testing, deployment, and ongoing support.

What You'll Do:

• Drive the vision and execution of next-gen HMI applications that power our rigs.
• Manage a technically complex, high-visibility project with direct impact on field operations.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure seamless integration of control and data acquisition systems.
• Take on additional project opportunities within the Controls & Automation team as we continue to expand our digital capabilities.

What We're Looking For: You thrive in fast-paced, highly technical environments. You set the bar high-for yourself and your team-and you bring structure, organization, and clear communication to every project. You're equally at home diving into the technical details and presenting big-picture strategies.

We're looking for someone who:

• Brings expert knowledge in control and data acquisition systems.
• Has a proven track record of managing complex technical projects.
• Communicates professionally and clearly-whether writing, presenting, or collaborating.
• Thinks analytically and finds innovative, data-driven solutions.
• Stays curious, constantly learning and adapting to new challenges and technologies.

This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Controls & Automation, and offers a unique opportunity to grow with a team that's transforming how we drill.

Detailed Description:

• Lead the drilling controls HMI development project through initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, controlling, and deployment of the product
• Develop supporting technical documentation, including design specifications, test procedures, commissioning procedures, training materials, and technical presentations
• Determine the required resources, coordinate with internal departments and third party companies to assemble the project team
• Define clear deliverables, roles and responsibilities required for specific tasks or initiatives; allocate tasks and resources among team members
• Create project timelines with regularly established milestones, provide updates to stakeholders
• Coordinate regular technical team meetings to determine progress and address any questions or challenges regarding projects
• Identify potential risks; be proactive in mitigating risk; develop and execute contingency plans when necessary
• Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for drilling control HMI design, including system architecture, device communication, user experience, and data logging functionalities
• Develop and manage a quality assurance program; develop test plans to ensure applications undergo adequate manual and simulated testing in a laboratory environment prior to being deployed to the field
• Assist with coordinating beta (field) test programs, including rig selection, program alignment with internal and external stakeholders, software/hardware installation and commissioning
• Define beta test acceptance criteria; partner closely with developers and operations teams to ensure proper measurement and variable control
• Develop recommendations for further testing or application development as part of the product development cycle; manage product backlog; prioritize and schedule development cycles
• Understand industry trends and emerging opportunities in controls technology, analyze viability of new products, recommend areas to invest in R&D

Job Requirements:

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and working on multiple projects simultaneously to meet challenging deadlines.
• Demonstrate clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to promptly give, and follow directions when working with others.
• Ability to safely navigate the yard and shop work sites with occasional walking, climbing, standing, stepping, etc. during normal operating conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather).
• Ability to safely navigate drilling rig work sites including regular walking, climbing, standing, stepping, etc. during various weather conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather).
• Ability to proficiently use MS Office Suite or other project management software to develop presentations, correspondence, reports, and schedules (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
• 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 regularly travel as needed to visit worksites and support business units; may require extended travel to remote locations and/or overnight stay(s) outside normal office area.
  • Ability to work on weekends and be on call after hours as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline, or an equivalent level of industry-related experience.
• 5 years of experience in technical project management focused on the development of control system software.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in product development of drilling control system HMI programs
• 5 years of experience in technical project management
• Experienced in the use of Agile or Scrum software development techniques
• PMP Certification

Additional Details

Work is primarily in a climate controlled / office environment with minimal safety / health hazard potential. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, or walk with occasional lifting (overhead, waist level) from floor, bending and frequent near vision use for reading and use of computer, telephone and other office equipment. Frequent travel to other Company offices and drilling rig work sites, often in remote locations, is required during normal rig operating conditions (day/night, outdoor hot/cold weather), and employee will be expected to properly use designated personal protective equipment (PPE).