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Directional Drilling Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ovintiv, Inc.

Senior Drilling Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

Posting Close Date: 09/16/2026 Job Title: Sr. Drilling Engineer Position Summary Ovintiv is seeking ... Familiar with casing design, hydraulic analysis, directional optimization, fluid systems, cement ...

KLX Energy Services

$29 - $35.75/hr

Proficient use of Directional drilling computer software and is able to advise customer on all ... Interfaces with the Measurement While Drilling (MWD) engineer to ensure BHA compatibility, planned ...

Devon Energy

Sr Drilling Engineer

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

The Senior Drilling Engineer, working under limited supervision, is responsible for planning ... Seeks mentoring, training, and direction from supervisors and/or experienced personnel specific to ...

Devon Energy

Sr Drilling Engineer

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

... and direction from supervisors and/or experienced personnel specific to job role as needed and ... junior engineers and drilling personnel to enhance their skills and knowledge in drilling ...

Congruex

Directional Drill Foreman

Columbus, OH · On-site

$30 - $45/hr

... engineering and construction services that connect communities nationwide. This includes wireline ... You will oversee daily drilling activities, coordinate field operations, and ensure work is ...

Schlumberger Limited

Digital Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$129K/yr

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.

Fourpoint Energy

Senior Drilling Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$150K - $190K/yr

Evaluate appropriate rigs, rig contracts, and on-site drilling supervisors, directional drillers, fluid engineers and any other appropriate field positions. * Identify critical drilling rig ...

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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 13, 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.

Senior Drilling Engineer

Denver, CO • On-site

Ovintiv, Inc.
Oil and Gas Extraction • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Ovintiv, Inc.external

Full-time

PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

At Ovintiv, our products fuel the world through safe, affordable, and reliable energy.
We are proud of our purpose, and attracting the right people is the key to its success. As an employer, we recognize your potential and professional aspirations, and are committed to your career development. We offer employees an inclusive work environment with highly competitive compensation, benefits, and flexibility-including a market-leading vacation/time-off program.
Ovintiv's workplace culture is built upon our foundational values of One, Agile, Driven and Innovative, and we are relentlessly committed to safe and sustainable operations. We value the opportunity to engage and collaborate in person, believing this is best cultivated through our in-office environment. We drive societal progress by valuing our workforce, strengthening the communities we call home and respecting the rights of all.
Join our team as we make modern life possible.
Posting Close Date:
09/16/2026
Job Title: Sr. Drilling Engineer
Position Summary
Ovintiv is seeking an experienced Drilling Engineer with a proven track record of accomplishments to support drilling operations in various high-profile plays. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in an exciting and challenging team environment, while making a significant impact within the organization. This is a chance for career growth and experience within a rewarding company.
Core Expectations
  • Lead Ovintiv's environmental, health and safety programs by example in demonstrating safe work practices, adhering to all forms and guidelines, and strictly following all applicable regulations.
  • Work with all team members to ensure that the drilling schedule is met and carried out in the most cost-effective manner possible.
  • Support strong alignment with the drilling organization through clear communication, shared priorities, and collaborative execution.
  • Create an environment that supports accountability, innovation, learning, and high-performance teamwork.
  • Foster a collaborative team culture grounded in safety, technical and business acumen, innovation, risk management, continuous improvement, and disciplined execution.
  • Maintain strong working relationships with the field through regular site visits.
  • Continually strive for operational improvements to cut costs, enhance safety and reduce cycle times.

Key Responsibilities
  • Attend safety meetings, safety blitz, offered safety training, appropriate skills training and development classes.
  • Prepare detailed drilling programs including AFEs, well designs, casing and cementing designs and directional plans.
  • Responsible for monitoring and reporting on daily drilling activities.
  • Monitor actual well costs and ensure accuracy for financial reporting and budgeting.
  • Participate in the bid process for drilling services and stay up to date with innovations in drilling.
  • Interface with field supervisors to support the execution of the drilling plan and troubleshoot and resolve problems.
  • Partner closely with Drilling Managers, Drilling Engineers, Field Coordinators, and Wellsite Supervisors to support the execution of the drilling plan and troubleshoot and resolve problems.
  • Align with Development Team on objectives to deliver wells effectively placed within desired target zones while achieving operational optimization objectives and efficient drilling cycle times.
  • Identify operational risks and emerging issues and collaborate with the drilling team to implement corrective actions that reduce non-productive time and improve performance.
  • Work closely with the permitting analyst, land, community relations and construction for location and schedule management.
  • Model and reinforce company values while maintaining high standards for safety, environmental stewardship, accountability, communication, and professional development.

Work Environment and Qualifications
This position operates in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that requires close coordination with office- and field-based team members. The candidates will be expected to:
  • Uphold all applicable safety, regulatory, and environmental requirements and to perform the role in a manner consistent with company policies, values, and operational standards.
  • 10+ years of drilling operations experience for this role with some field experience is preferred.
  • Experience in multiple basins will be highly regarded, as well as experience working rotational field assignments on drilling rigs.
  • Effective interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated project management skills.
  • Familiar with casing design, hydraulic analysis, directional optimization, fluid systems, cement design, pipe design and torque/drag analysis.
  • This position will be based in Denver or The Woodlands and travel as required to OVV office and field locations in US (monthly travel, up to 20% travel time when required).

In accordance with applicable law, the following represents Ovintiv's reasonable estimate of the hiring compensation range for this role.
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $160,000 - $240,000 USD
Compensation may vary and will be determined by the geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.
Benefits: Ovintiv offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn more.
At Ovintiv, we value diversity and are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment.
Please note that due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to any individual inquiry about the status of your application.

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