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Drilling Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Drilling Performance Engineer plays a pivotal role at the intersection of drilling operations, data analytics, and product development. In this position you will provide support to NDS product ...

Come join Wood as a Drilling/Completions Data Technician in Houston, TX to work within a Wood ... Perform data queries and pull data for analysis * Assist Engineers on data collection and ...

Come join Wood as a Drilling/Completions Data Technician in Houston, TX to work within a Wood ... Perform data queries and pull data for analysis * Assist Engineers on data collection and ...

Strong knowledge of drilling engineering principles, well control, and rig operations. * Proven ability to manage multi-disciplinary field operations and service company coordination. * Strong ...

Sr. Well / Drilling Engineer

Mont Belvieu, TX · On-site

$94K - $129K/yr

Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with Engineering management, plant management, team members and stakeholders. * Estimate the resources and ...

Define project scope, goals and deliverables that support business goals in collaboration with Engineering management, plant management, team members and stakeholders. * Estimate the resources and ...

By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a ...

Drilling Supervisor

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Sierra Circuits is committed to supporting engineers and designers through extensive educational ... The Drilling Supervisor's primary responsibility is to ensure all processes, special instructions ...

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Drilling Engineer information

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$90K

$116.7K

$137K

How much do drilling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 28, 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.

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 does a drilling engineer do?

A drilling engineer plans and oversees the drilling of wells to extract oil and gas, ensuring safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance. They design drilling programs, select equipment, and troubleshoot technical issues using tools like drilling software and measurement while drilling (MWD) systems. The role often requires knowledge of geology, engineering principles, and relevant certifications.

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.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior drilling engineers in the oil and gas industry can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-cost regions. Achieving this salary often requires advanced certifications, leadership roles, and working in challenging environments with long schedules.

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.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior drilling engineers in the oil and gas industry can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, specialized skills, and working in high-cost regions. Achieving this level often requires advanced certifications, leadership roles, and working in complex or offshore environments.

How much do oil drilling engineers make?

Oil drilling engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $100,000 to $150,000, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of projects. Senior engineers or those working in high-demand regions can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $200,000 with overtime and bonuses included.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Drilling Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Drilling Engineer jobs are:
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Infographic showing various Drilling Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,666 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Drilling Performance Engineer

NABORS

Houston, TX

Full-time

Posted 20 days ago


Job description

The Drilling Performance Engineer plays a pivotal role at the intersection of drilling operations, data analytics, and product development. In this position you will provide support to NDS product lines. Ensure NDS Performance Drilling technologies deliver maximum value by engaging the customer and closely working with drilling and remote operations, as well as training groups and technical support. Combining deep understanding of drilling operations and mechanics with expert-level knowledge of Performance Drilling technologies, provide insightful analysis and recommendations to improve the efficiency of drilling operations.

Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.
Equal Opportunity Employer

Nabors is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.  To learn more about our Fair Employment practices, please refer to the Nabors Code of Conduct.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

  • Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures in drilling operations & downhole.
  • Solid understanding of drilling operations, rig equipment, and control systems.
  • Must be capable of working under pressure, and meeting project deadlines.
  • Capability of working both in a team and individual environments required.
  • Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
  • Strong collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
  • Must possess flexibility and the capacity to handle wide range of situations and personalities.
  • Must demonstrate competency in business software packages such as Word, Excel, Access including charting, graphing and macros.
  • Must be able to travel as needed both domestic & international.
  • Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical or petroleum engineering

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 1-3 years of experience in drilling operations, performance analytics, or technical support.
  • 1-2 years should be in direct field drilling operations roles
  • Preferred experience w/ data analysis.
  • Preferred experience using Spotfire, PowerBI, SQL, Python. 
  • Preferred experience/knowledge of automatic drillers, directional automation, oscillation, & stick-slip mitigation 
  • software/instrumentation systems
  • Experience using Gen AI tools.
  • Directional Drilling experience

Performance Products Operations

  • Provide in-depth drilling performance analysis extending beyond the scope of basic report interpretation, including interaction with customer and field personnel to obtain information as needed.
  • Develop and maintain drilling performance metrics, tools and methodologies.
  • Support other functions with interpretation of product performance reports.
  • Actively contribute to the development of the Performance Drilling Knowledge Base through improvements to the tool as well as data entry and analysis.
  • Engage with customer in well planning and drilling performance discussions to highlight opportunities, identify challenges & solutions.
  • Coordinate with customers to prepare and assign well plans and ensure optimal configuration for operational success.
  • Perform in-depth flat time analysis and reviews to drive efficiency improvements.
  • Provide on-site expert support to drilling operations during field trials and develop sufficient knowledge of the applicable Drilling Performance and Total Control products with the drilling contractor and operator.
  • Create reports for internal and external distribution to document value of the products and recommended next steps in technology adoption.
  • Ensure active communication with account manager and product line manager, as well as other required stakeholders throughout the life cycle of the program.
  • Assist in resolving operator disputes. Make recommendations to management for such resolutions.
  • Attend meetings with customers, vendors, district personnel, and senior management as needed.
  • Assist districts with engineering support in coordination with management and the Engineering and Technical department as needed.
  • Assist with special projects for operators as needed.
  • Attend district meetings as required.
  • Support technology deployments in the field, provide operational feedback to the Product Development Team, and track trial activity.
  • Work closely with product management to communicate operational requirements and recommend continuous improvements.

Customer loyalty

  • Build strong relationships with customers based on thorough understanding of drilling challenges/solutions and the application of NDS technologies.

  • Support the differentiation of the Nabors offering by working closely with customers to become an integral part of their processes to measure and improve performance.

Sales Support & Business Development

  • Identify potential sales leads through daily customer engagement, field visits, and performance discussions, and communicate these opportunities to the sales team.

  • Partner with account managers to support sales calls, customer visits, and executive-level presentations.

  • Deliver technical demonstrations and proof-of-concept trials to showcase product value.

  • Collaborate with the sales and marketing teams to provide operational input for promotional material, case studies, and success stories.

  • Participate in industry events and customer workshops to represent NDS technologies and capabilities.