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Directional Drilling Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Airswift

Drilling Engineer

Anchorage, AK · On-site

Drilling Engineer Duration: Through June 2028 Schedule: Standard 5-day work week during planning ... directional drilling planning, BHA selection, bit optimisation, and drilling fluids programmes

Fervo Energy

Senior Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

Ability to demonstrate competency in core well engineering fundamentals, including casing design, directional drilling, drill string / BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning

SM-Energy Company

Sr. Drilling Engineer

Midland, TX · On-site

Recommend, perform, and complete special engineering projects and reports related to all phases of drilling operations, including but not limited to, drilling fluids, cementing, directional drilling ...

Fervo Energy Company

Senior Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

Ability to demonstrate competency in core well engineering fundamentals, including casing design, directional drilling, drill string / BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning

SLB

Digital Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX

MWD/ Directional Drilling/ Bits/ Drilling engineering/ Drilling optimization. Previous experiences at rig site and experience in US land unconventional (not necessarily at rig site) preferred.

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Directional Drilling Engineer information

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How much do directional drilling engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for directional drilling engineer in the United States is $26.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a directional drilling engineer do?

A Directional Drilling Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing the drilling of wells that deviate from the vertical to reach oil or gas reserves that are not accessible by straight drilling. They use advanced technologies and specialized tools to control the direction and angle of the drill bit, ensuring the well follows a predetermined trajectory. Their role involves collaborating with geologists, drilling teams, and other engineers to optimize drilling efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness, while minimizing environmental impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a directional drilling engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Directional Drilling Engineer, you need a solid background in petroleum engineering or related fields, strong mathematical skills, and experience with subsurface geology. Proficiency with directional drilling software (e.g., Landmark, WellPlan), MWD/LWD tools, and familiarity with industry certifications like IWCF are typically required. Excellent problem-solving, decision-making, and teamwork abilities help you adapt to dynamic field environments and communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure precise wellbore placement, operational efficiency, and safety in complex drilling projects.

What are some common challenges directional drilling engineers face on-site, and how are they typically addressed?

Directional Drilling Engineers often encounter challenges such as unexpected geological formations, equipment malfunctions, and maintaining borehole trajectory accuracy. These situations require quick decision-making and close collaboration with geologists, drilling supervisors, and MWD (Measurement While Drilling) specialists to troubleshoot and adapt the drilling plan. Regular communication, detailed pre-job planning, and staying up-to-date with the latest drilling technologies help mitigate risks and ensure successful well placement. Continuous learning and adaptability are key to overcoming these on-site challenges.

What is the difference between Directional Drilling Engineer vs Drilling Engineer?

AspectDirectional Drilling EngineerDrilling Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in directional drillingEngineering degree, general drilling certifications
Work EnvironmentOil & gas sites focusing on wellbore trajectoryVarious drilling sites, including exploration and production
Industry UsageSpecialized in wellbore steering and precision drillingBroader role in overall drilling operations

The main difference is that a Directional Drilling Engineer specializes in planning and executing wellbore trajectories, ensuring precise drilling paths, while a Drilling Engineer oversees the entire drilling process, including equipment, safety, and operations. Both roles require engineering backgrounds, but the Directional Drilling Engineer has specialized skills in wellbore steering and navigation.

How much money does a directional drilling engineer make?

A directional drilling engineer's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry demand. They often work in the oil and gas sector, utilizing specialized tools and certifications to perform precise wellbore placement.

Is a directional drilling engineer a hard job?

A directional drilling engineer's job involves technical skills, problem-solving, and working in challenging environments such as underground or offshore locations. It can be physically demanding and requires knowledge of drilling equipment, safety protocols, and often long or irregular work hours, making it a demanding profession overall.
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Directional Drilling Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Directional Drilling Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,296 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Drilling Engineer

Anchorage, AK • On-site

Airswift
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 501 - 1,000 employees
Learn more about Airswiftexternal

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Drilling Engineer
Duration: Through June 2028
Schedule: Standard 5-day work week during planning phases, with additional hours and out-of-hours operational support as required during drilling operations
Location: Anchorage, Alaska (On-site)
This opportunity supports the planning, execution, and post-well evaluation of onshore exploration and appraisal wells in Alaska. The role is positioned within a technically demanding drilling engineering environment, contributing to safe, efficient, and cost-effective well construction across a multi-well campaign. This position offers exposure to well design, drilling operations, KPI tracking, and multidisciplinary project delivery in a remote onshore setting.
Required Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
Required Experience:
  • 3-5 years of oil and gas industry experience
  • Experience in drilling engineering or closely related well construction activities
  • Exposure to planning and execution support for drilling operations
  • Experience working within multidisciplinary project teams
Required Skills:
  • Working understanding of well planning and drilling engineering fundamentals
  • Knowledge of casing design, cementing design, hydraulics calculations, torque and drag analysis, directional drilling planning, BHA selection, bit optimisation, and drilling fluids programmes
  • Understanding of well control principles, formation evaluation operations, well abandonment operations, and drilling performance analysis
  • Ability to support well design development, drilling programmes, engineering studies, and Basis of Well Design documentation
  • Capability to monitor operational performance, review daily drilling reports, support troubleshooting, and track KPIs including NPT, flat time, cost performance, drilling efficiency, and safety performance metrics
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Proficiency in Power BI and data analysis tools
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Strong organisational and planning abilities, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
  • Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments
  • Personal accountability, attention to detail, and commitment to engineering quality
  • Experience with Landmark OpenWells, Landmark WELLPLAN, Compass, StressCheck, and SAP is listed as desirable knowledge within the technical environment
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience supporting drilling operations
  • Experience with AFE preparation and cost tracking
  • Exposure to exploration and appraisal drilling projects
  • Experience working with land drilling rigs
  • Exposure to Arctic or remote operations
About Airswift:
Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with unique project needs. With over 1000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in over 60 countries, Airswift's geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry.
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