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Drilling Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fervo Energy Company

Senior Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer who is excited by Fervo's mission and motivated to design and execute advanced geothermal drilling in a highly dynamic environment. This role is ideal for an ...

Stanford Climate Ventures

Senior Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$99K - $137K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer who is excited by Fervo's mission and motivated to design and execute advanced geothermal drilling in a highly dynamic environment. This role is ideal for an ...

Bedrock

Sr. Drilling Engineer

Anchorage, AK · On-site

Prepare the Technical Specifications (& Scope Of Works) for Drilling equipment, materials and services for supporting the process of purchasing / tendering. Support the Well Testing Engineers in ...

SLB

Digital Drilling Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

The Digital Drilling Engineer (DDE) is responsible for the implementation, office adoption and customer support of DrillPlan, DrillOps and Drilling Data projects. The DDE provides digital drilling ...

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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All JobsDrilling Engineer Jobs

Drilling Engineer information

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$90K

$116.7K

$137K

How much do drilling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for drilling engineer in the United States is $116,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,500.00 and $128,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drilling engineer?

Drilling engineers plan and execute the drilling operations for oil, gas, and mining companies. In this job, you extract minerals, metal ores, oil, and natural gas from mines, various landforms, and underwater. Your responsibilities may include inspecting new sites, analyzing data on production levels, and troubleshooting issues. Additionally, your job is to assist other energy professionals with the cost and budgeting of heavy equipment and necessary tools for drilling.

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

To thrive as a Drilling Engineer, you need a solid background in petroleum engineering or a related field, with expertise in drilling operations, well design, and safety protocols. Familiarity with drilling software (such as Landmark or WellPlan), hydraulic modeling tools, and certifications like IWCF or Well Control are often required. Strong analytical skills, problem-solving ability, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and addressing operational challenges. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling of wells, minimizing risks and maximizing project success.

How does a drilling engineer typically collaborate with geologists and other team members during a drilling project?

Drilling Engineers work closely with geologists, reservoir engineers, and drilling supervisors to ensure drilling operations are efficient and safe. They rely on geologists for subsurface data and formation analysis, which helps in planning well trajectories and anticipating potential drilling hazards. Regular meetings and real-time data sharing are common, allowing the team to make quick decisions when unexpected conditions arise. This collaborative environment ensures that drilling objectives are met while adhering to safety and environmental standards.

What is the difference between Drilling Engineer vs Well Engineer?

AspectDrilling EngineerWell Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning and supervising drilling operationsDesigning and managing well construction and completion
Work EnvironmentDrilling rigs, field sitesOffices, field sites, wellsites
CredentialsBachelor's in Petroleum Engineering or related field; certifications like IWCFBachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering; similar certifications
Industry UsageOil & gas exploration, drilling companiesOil & gas operators, service companies

While both roles involve oil and gas well development, Drilling Engineers focus on planning and executing drilling operations, whereas Well Engineers concentrate on designing and managing the entire well lifecycle, including completion and workover activities.

How much money do drilling engineers make?

Drilling engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $150,000, depending on experience, location, and industry sector. Senior or specialized drilling engineers with extensive experience or certifications can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $200,000 annually.

Is drilling engineering a good career?

Drilling engineering is a specialized field within the oil and gas industry that involves designing and managing drilling operations. It offers high earning potential, opportunities for advancement, and requires technical skills, problem-solving, and safety knowledge. The career can involve working in remote locations and demanding schedules but provides strong job stability in the energy sector.
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Drilling Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drilling Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,666 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Staff Drilling Engineer - Southern Region Drilling

Oklahoma City, OK • On-site

Continental Resources
See more jobs at Continental Resourcesexternal

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Summary

The Staff Drilling Engineer will be directly responsible for the design and execution of safe and technically sound drilling programs. The individual will work directly with the drilling manager, drilling team lead, drilling superintendent's and well site supervisors to deliver strong repeatable results. The drilling engineer is expected to demonstrate by action good technical judgment, professionalism, one-team spirit, leadership skills in promoting a safe operation at the well site.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Makes technical design decisions on the safe execution of the drilling plan with cost efficiency as business driver.
  • Generates well designs and procedures that include time and cost estimates.
  • Works closely with drilling team to help daily planning and safe execution of operations.
  • Analyzes and improves drilling and cost performance.
  • Evaluates vendor performance and new technology application.
  • Works cohesively across all disciplines of the asset team.
  • Open and willing to aggressively seek better methods and techniques of drilling wells.
  • Manages a variable workload as rig activity rises and falls based on the goals of the company.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, leadership and supervisory skills.
  • Mentorship and collaborative development of field and office staff.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Competencies

  • Drilling engineering industry training, such as IADC Wellsharp Certification, Murchison, Prentice/Northstar, Extended Reach drilling or similar courses.
  • Experience and understanding of casing design principles.
  • Experience with computer software for modeling casing design, directional well plans, hydraulics, torque & drag. (Landmark suite or ERA is preferred)
  • Has detailed and demonstrated technical knowledge of drilling horizontal wells.
  • Drives results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
  • Action oriented - Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
  • Optimizes work processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
  • Situational adaptability - Adapting approach and demeanor in real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
  • Experience writing detailed operational procedures.
  • Strong risk management knowledge and strong well cost management skills.
  • Good contractor management skills.

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science in Petroleum, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering field from an accredited college or university.
  • Minimum of eight (8) years of drilling experience with an independent or major oil company working in a major horizontal unconventional basin.
  • An acceptable pre-employment background and drug test.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Previous well-site supervision experience.
  • Prior experience supporting international operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

  • Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping.
  • Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.

Continental Resources, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities and access for all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other category protected by law.

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