Drilling Fluids Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Drilling/Workover Superintendent oversees the safe, efficient execution of drilling and workover operations, ensures regulatory, environmental health & safety compliance, emergency preparedness, quality assurance/control throughout each operation. This role directs execution of the drilling plan and supervises Drilling/Workover personnel supporting drilling location construction and reclamation.

The Drilling/Workover Superintendent oversees the safe, efficient execution of drilling and workover operations, ensures regulatory, environmental health & safety compliance, emergency preparedness, quality assurance/control throughout each operation. This role directs execution of the drilling plan and supervises Drilling/Workover personnel supporting drilling location construction and reclamation.

Title: Drilling/Workover Superintendent

Department: Field Services

Reports To: VP-Field Services

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Bakersfield, CA

Employment Type: Regular Full-Time

The Drilling/Workover Superintendent oversees the safe, efficient execution of drilling and workover operations, ensures regulatory, environmental health & safety compliance, emergency preparedness, quality assurance/control throughout each operation. This role directs execution of the drilling plan and supervises Drilling/Workover personnel supporting drilling location construction and reclamation.

• Approves rig selection, ensuring that pre-acceptance audits are performed and negotiates contract terms (operational) with the chosen drilling contractor.


• Ensures that contractors are qualified operationally and in accordance with the Company’s Environmental Health & Safety standards.


• Ensures that the operations within area of responsibility are evaluated for risk through the use of appropriate procedures and/or industry standards.


• Ensures that all regulatory requirements for the operation are met.


• Approves the drilling program and associated operational plans.


• Ensures and directs the operational and safe execution of the drilling program.


• Monitors daily expenses, tracking well costs, and ensures invoices for all drilling services are correctly processed and paid timely.


• Ensures accuracy of the well’s final drilling cost reconciliation.


• Approves the well’s post drilling analysis report.


• Approves the quarterly drilling performance reports.


• Presents a proper example of work ethics for subordinates.


• Champions a strong safety culture, participates in incident investigations and root-cause analyses.


• Identifies operational, environmental, and regulatory risks across the well lifecycle and implements mitigation strategies to protect schedule, cost, safety, and compliance.


• Supervises assigned company employees and contractors, setting performance expectations and supporting professional development.


• Performs all other job‑related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High school graduation or equivalent.


• Current certification in Well Control.


• 15 years’ drilling, completions, and workover experience in oil & gas operations.


• Leadership experience managing employees, contractors, or multidisciplinary field teams in drilling, completions, or workover operations.

• College-level coursework in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Base of experience in engineering, operational practices and latest technology to produce continuous improvements to the Drilling/Workover Organization’s performance.


• Professionalism and expertise in all phases of well planning and drilling operations for wells of all types and locations.


• Expertise in directional wells including extended reach wells and horizontal wells.


• In-depth knowledge of top drive units, advanced MWD technology, rotary steerable drilling systems, open and cased hole completions, basic fishing operations, running long string of casing, cementing with multistage tools, running and cementing large size casing, and water based and oil based drilling fluids.


• Proven job knowledge to handle operational responsibilities on shallow thermal (cyclic steam) wells using heavy mud weights as high as 14ppg in high H2S concentrations of 30%.


• Proficiency with personal computers and software to include working knowledge of Windows, Microsoft, and e‑mail.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills.


• Ability to deal logically and effectively with department heads and engineering personnel to accomplish the goals for the Drilling/Workover department.


• Valid California driver’s license with a driving record deemed acceptable by the company’s auto insurance carrier is required due to regular travel to field and operational sites.

Work is performed extensively in outdoor environments, exposed to a wide range of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures (both heat and cold), wetness, and humidity. The essential functions of this position include adjusting/moving in all directions objects up to 50 pounds occasionally and 100 pounds with assistance rarely; sitting, standing, walking, walking on uneven surfaces, bending, kneeling, stooping; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers; visual acuity for reading computer screens or preparing data, inspecting objects, and operating vehicles; operating a motor vehicle and/or heavy equipment; working near moving mechanical parts, tight spaces, and on high and precarious surfaces; and/or communicating with others to exchange information. Exposure to environmental elements such as dirt, dust, fumes, odors, and loud noises should be expected. Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for all tasks is required. Incumbents must adhere to all safety protocols, especially those concerning heat illness prevention (access to water and shade).

The position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. The essential duties, responsibilities and physical requirements above describe those functions that are essential to the performance of this job. The above description does not include all the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job‑related duties as requested by management.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Sentinel Peak Resources Management LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability, Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law.

$175,000-$230,000