Wireless System Administrator

Job description

Flint Hills Resources in Corpus Christi, Texas, is looking for a Wireless System Administrator to join our DCS/PLC team. This role will serve as the refinery's primary technical resource for the reliability, administration, and lifecycle management of critical industrial wireless infrastructure supporting field instrumentation, process monitoring, mobile connectivity, and other operational technologies. The Wireless System Administrator will be responsible for maintaining reliable wireless coverage and system performance, troubleshooting infrastructure issues, managing upgrades and obsolescence, and working with Instrumentation, IT/OT, Engineering, Operations, vendors, and project teams to ensure the wireless infrastructure continues to meet refinery needs. This position also provides a unique opportunity to develop broader industrial automation skills. As part of the DCS/PLC team, the successful candidate will have opportunities to gain experience supporting PLC and DCS systems, including control-system hardware, industrial communications, troubleshooting, projects, commissioning, and lifecycle activities. Our Team The DCS/PLC team supports the specification, installation, configuration, maintenance, lifecycle management, reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of the refinery’s automation systems. Team members work closely with operations, process control engineers, IT/OT resources, project engineers, designers, instrument technicians, electricians, and other site stakeholders to deliver practical solutions across both control system and PLC-supported equipment. The Wireless System Administrator will bring dedicated ownership and reliability focus to the refinery's industrial wireless infrastructure while having the opportunity to expand technical capabilities across PLC, DCS, safety-system, and industrial automation technologies. What You Will Do Serve as the refinery's primary technical resource and system owner for critical industrial wireless infrastructure. Manage the reliability, availability, performance, and lifecycle of wireless networks supporting field instrumentation, process monitoring, mobile connectivity, and other operational technologies. Administer, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot wireless access points, gateways, antennas, controllers, and associated network equipment. Monitor system health, coverage, capacity, interference, redundancy, and communications performance; identify and implement improvements that reduce operational risk. Perform or coordinate wireless coverage surveys and support network design, expansion, optimization, and commissioning activities. Develop lifecycle strategies for wireless infrastructure, including equipment condition, obsolescence, upgrades, software and firmware management, spares, and replacement planning. Maintain accurate wireless network topology, asset, coverage, configuration, backup, cybersecurity, and lifecycle documentation. Partner with Instrument Technicians to troubleshoot communication paths between field instrumentation and the site wireless infrastructure. Work with IT/OT teams on wireless controllers, servers, networks, cybersecurity requirements, access management, redundancy, patching, and infrastructure maintenance. Partner with Project Engineers, design teams, vendors, and contractors to define wireless and fiber requirements, equipment selection, installation standards, coverage expectations, testing, and turnover requirements. Support Management of Change, incident investigation, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and reliability improvement initiatives associated with wireless systems. Develop working knowledge of the refinery's PLC and DCS platforms through cross-training, troubleshooting support, project participation, commissioning, and lifecycle activities. As capability develops, assist with PLC/DCS support activities. Participate in the DCS/PLC team on-call support rotation as required. Why This Role Matters Reliable industrial wireless infrastructure is increasingly critical to refinery monitoring, instrumentation, connectivity, and operational decision-making. This role provides ownership of that infrastructure and helps ensure it is reliable, secure, supportable, and prepared for future site needs. The position also offers a development path into PLC, DCS, safety-system, and broader industrial automation support as part of the DCS/PLC team. Who You Are (Basic Qualifications) Two or more years troubleshooting, administering, or maintaining industrial wireless or networking equipment, such as wireless field instrumentation, access points, gateways, radios, antennas, switches, and controllers. Ability to troubleshoot across instrumentation, electrical, networking, IT/OT, and control-system disciplines. Ability to read technical documentation such as network drawings, wireless coverage maps, P&IDs, instrument loop drawings, and architecture diagrams. Ability to participate in the DCS/PLC team on-call rotation and respond to operational needs as required. Ability to work in an industrial refinery environment and follow applicable safety, security, and site access requirements. Ability to perform field walkdowns, access operating areas, and work around installed wireless and communications infrastructure as job duties require. What Will Put You Ahead Four or more years of experience supporting industrial wireless or other operational technology in a refinery, chemical plant, manufacturing facility, or similar industrial environment. Hands-on experience with WirelessHART, ISA100, industrial Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, private LTE/5G, or other wireless technologies. Working knowledge of PLC, DCS, or SIS platforms, including servers, workstations, controllers, processors, and I/O. This role is subject to the Transportation Workers Identification Credentialing (TWIC) rule and requires the successful candidate to obtain a TWIC identification badge, allowing for un-escorted access to the facility within a specific time period. At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy. Hiring Philosophy All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here . Who We Are Flint Hills Resources in Corpus Christi, Texas is looking for an Environmental Waste Advisor to join our team. If you are looking for a way to accelerate your career and be part of an industry leading company, this may be the opportunity for you! Flint Hills Resources, LC operates oil refineries, chemicals plants and biofuels facilities across North America and is part of Koch Industries, a global leader in several industrial markets. At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company. Our Benefits Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. S