Robotic Systems Engineer (PORT ELIZABETH) at NOV

Description – Robotics Engineer

A highly motivated robotics engineer or controls engineer with a strong track record in robotics and machine automation to contribute to and be part of a team whose main objective will be to design and develop new, and refine existing systems, for automation in oil and gas drill floor activities, with the primary emphasis being improved safety, efficiency, and robust execution of handling operations.

This role will be a technically challenging one in a dynamic environment. The role will present the successful candidate with opportunities to contribute to the continued success of NOV, a company with an unmatched pedigree and a huge legacy of innovation and technological advancement in the Oil and Gas Industry.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Review existing drill floor equipment with a view to redesigning for use in hands-free and/or automated pipe handling and drilling.
• Conduct research on robotic hardware and software technologies to create new robotic systems or system capabilities.
• Conduct research into effective, optimized path planning with advanced collision detection and/collision avoidance algorithms.
• Participate in initial equipment conceptual ideas and development, specifications, and control requirements, for hands free and automated pipe handling and drilling, such as mobile omni-directional robots.
• Research, assess, and where necessary design software and hardware systems for electromechanical equipment or systems, and advanced displays, advanced sensing, robotic platforms, computer vision.
• Research, assess, and where necessary design software and hardware systems for robotic applications related to the drilling industry pipe-handling activities using robotic platforms, open source or commercial.
• Introduce automated equipment and processes into oil and gas pipe handling and drilling, training aftermarket personnel to support after deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree in a related engineering field with practical experience in robotics and/or industrial automation, and 5 additional years of proven experience in the development of machine and automation controls
• 2 years of experience in designing and implementing machine controls systems, using PLC or embedded controllers
• Working knowledge and experience of PLC and high level programming languages such as Java, C, C++, LabView, Siemens, and operating systems such as Linux
• Ability to read P&ID, electrical and hydraulics schematics and translate into software environments.
• Working knowledge of robotics platforms and tool kits both vendor specific (such as ABB, Yaskawa, Kawasaki, Kuka, etc) and vendor independent (such as ROS and ROS Industrial).

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• Knowledge of Oil and Gas drilling rig processes
• Experience and working knowledge of AC drive systems
• Experience of hydraulic systems and servo control
• Experience and working knowledge of programing HMI systems
• Working knowledge of machine vision systems and platforms
• Understanding of AI systems and platforms