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Drilling Fluids Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Development Engineer

Chaska, MN · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... drilling * Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects ... Some exposure to fluids, fumes, noise, vibration, and moving mechanical parts typical of a machine ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chaska, MN · On-site

$110 - $130/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... drilling, etc. * Must be a US Citizen * Desire todo'whatittakes' toaccomplishour goalsandWIN ... fluids, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, noise and vibration * This job ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chaska, MN · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... drilling, etc.  * Must be a US Citizen * Desire to do 'what it takes ... fluids, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, noise and vibration * This job ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chaska, MN · On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... turning, grinding, drilling, etc. * Must be a US Citizen * Desire to do 'what it takes' to ... fluids, fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, noise and vibration * This job ...

Senior Designer, MCAD

Chaska, MN

$87K - $105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Working under design engineers, you'll interpret industry design and drafting standards, military ... Strong knowledge of machining operations -- turning, milling, drilling, boring, tapping -- on ...

Senior Designer, MCAD

Chaska, MN · On-site

$105K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Working under design engineers, you'll interpret industry design and drafting standards, military ... Strong knowledge of machining operations - turning, milling, drilling, boring, tapping - on ...

Drilling Fluids Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$88.1K

$114.3K

$134.2K

How much do drilling fluids engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for drilling fluids engineer in Minnesota is $114,264.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $103,300.00 and $125,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Drilling Fluids Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical or petroleum engineering, strong analytical skills, and experience with fluid mechanics and drilling practices. Familiarity with drilling fluids software, mud logging systems, and certifications such as Well Control or HSE training are generally required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork abilities enable effective collaboration with drilling crews and rapid response to operational challenges. These skills ensure optimal drilling performance, minimize risks, and maintain safety and environmental compliance on-site.

How does a drilling fluids engineer typically collaborate with drilling and geology teams on-site?

A Drilling Fluids Engineer works closely with drilling supervisors and geologists to ensure the drilling fluid properties are optimized for wellbore stability, formation protection, and drilling efficiency. Daily, they monitor mud properties, interpret test results, and recommend adjustments to fluid systems in response to downhole conditions. Effective communication is essential, as they must relay technical findings and collaborate on problem-solving, especially when unexpected well conditions arise. This teamwork helps minimize downtime and ensures safety and compliance with environmental standards.

What does a drilling fluids engineer do?

Oil companies are more likely to refer to a drilling fluids engineer as a “mud engineer.” As a mud engineer, your duties are varied and require specialized technical skills. Your primary responsibilities include creating the required mud combinations used at each stage of the well drilling process. You are in charge of all related tasks from ordering the needed materials from the stores to mixing the mud and making adjustments, checking stock, maintaining equipment, and forecasting what material you need next. You also test, monitor, and relay each day’s activities in the Daily Mud Report. Drilling fluids engineers generally work in an off-shore oil rig setting.

What is a drilling fluids engineer?

Drilling Fluids Engineers, also known as Mud Engineers, are professionals responsible for designing, testing, and managing the drilling fluids (or 'mud') used in oil and gas drilling operations. Their primary duties involve ensuring the properties of the fluids meet the requirements for efficient drilling, wellbore stability, and safety. They monitor and adjust fluid parameters to prevent issues such as blowouts, stuck pipes, or formation damage. These engineers work closely with drilling teams on-site and play a crucial role in both operational efficiency and environmental compliance.

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

AspectDrilling Fluids EngineerDrilling Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in drilling fluids or petroleum engineeringEngineering degree, certifications in drilling operations or petroleum engineering
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, drilling sites, fluid testing facilitiesDrilling rigs, field locations, project planning offices
Industry UsageFocuses on fluid properties, testing, and managementFocuses on overall drilling operations, well planning, and execution

The main difference is that Drilling Fluids Engineers specialize in the properties, testing, and management of drilling fluids, ensuring wellbore stability and safety. Drilling Engineers oversee the entire drilling process, including planning, operations, and safety protocols. Both roles require technical expertise and often work closely on drilling projects, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Drilling Fluids Engineer jobs in Minnesota?

For Drilling Fluids Engineer jobs in Minnesota, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drilling Fluids Engineer jobs in Minnesota look for?

The top searched job categories for Drilling Fluids Engineer jobs in Minnesota are:

Infographic showing various Drilling Fluids Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,264 per year, or $54.9 per hour.

Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Development Engineer

Drawbridge

Chaska, MN • On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Sr. Mechanical Engineer – Motor Design & Development

Location: Chaska, MN (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $110,000 – $130,000/year + quarterly bonus

Our client is a growing precision manufacturing company specializing in the design and production of high-performance electric motors for aerospace and defense applications. They're looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to join their engineering team and take ownership of mechanical design work across the full product lifecycle — from concept through qualification and production support.

What You'll Do
  • Design electric motors in close collaboration with electromechanical design engineers to meet customer performance requirements
  • Design rotors, housings, endcaps, and other mechanical assemblies
  • Size and select bearings to meet load and life requirements
  • Create and revise engineering drawings with proper GD&T; maintain accurate BOMs
  • Design manufacturable, cost-effective hardware — balancing tolerance stack-ups, assembly ease, materials, manufacturing methods, thermal/vibration environments, and mistake-proofing
  • Run preliminary analysis (hand calcs and FEA) to validate designs
  • Investigate and resolve non-conforming hardware and production/vendor issues
  • Lead or support failure investigations
  • Develop and approve assembly, test, and qualification processes
  • Interface directly with internal and external customers on product requirements and changes
  • Participate in design reviews and support new business proposals
What You Bring
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
  • Experience in 3D modeling of mechanical components/assemblies (CREO strongly preferred)
  • Experience with Brushless DC (BLDC) motor design and operation
  • Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) — structural, thermal, and dynamic
  • Strong technical problem-solving using a methodical, data-driven approach
  • Working knowledge of manufacturing processes: additive manufacturing, casting, milling, turning, grinding, drilling
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable presenting in cross-functional design reviews
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen (ITAR/export control requirement)
Nice to Have
  • Prior experience in aerospace, defense, or other highly regulated manufacturing environment
  • Leadership experience coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and purchasing teams
Work Environment
  • Split between professional office and manufacturing/machine shop settings
  • Some exposure to fluids, fumes, noise, vibration, and moving mechanical parts typical of a machine shop
  • Ability to stand for extended periods (7-8 hrs/day), walk, bend, and occasionally lift up to 50 lbs
  • ~15% travel
Benefits

Competitive base salary plus quarterly bonus, medical/dental/vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k) with company match, generous tuition assistance, paid vacation/sick/personal time, paid holidays, and flexible/compressed work week options.

Equal Opportunity Employer – M/F/IWD/Veterans. Veterans encouraged to apply.