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Drilling Rig Mechanic Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Experienced Geotechnical Driller

Richmond, CA · On-site

$26.50 - $35.75/hr

... rig and general working area while abiding by all safety regulations. A successful candidate must ... Set up and operate mud rotary drilling and auger equipment, sampling systems, geophysical ...

Experienced Geotechnical Driller

Richmond, CA · On-site

$26.50 - $35.75/hr

... rig and general working area while abiding by all safety regulations. A successful candidate must ... Set up and operate mud rotary drilling and auger equipment, sampling systems, geophysical ...

Experienced Geotechnical Driller

Richmond, CA

$26.50 - $35.75/hr

... rig and general working area while abiding by all safety regulations. A successful candidate must ... Set up and operate mud rotary drilling and auger equipment, sampling systems, geophysical ...

Work with engineers to refine projectile, injector, and rig components for Longshot's gas gun ... Familiarity with shop equipment (drill press, milling machines, etc.). * Knowledge of data ...

Assemble mechanical frames, sub-assemblies, and complete Roboform cells using released CAD files ... drilling, tapping, cutting, deburring, touch-up finishing). * Safely rig, lift, and position heavy ...

Assemble mechanical frames, sub-assemblies, and complete Roboform cells using released CAD files ... drilling, tapping, cutting, deburring, touch-up finishing). * Safely rig, lift, and position heavy ...

Assemble mechanical frames, sub-assemblies, and complete Roboform cells using released CAD files ... drilling, tapping, cutting, deburring, touch-up finishing). * Safely rig, lift, and position heavy ...

Maintenance Technician

Orange, CA · On-site

$26 - $32/hr

Operate maintenance shop equipment such as threaders, drill presses, saws, grinders, and measuring ... mechanical repairs. (High-voltage certification or electrical experience is a plus.) * Safely rig ...

Maintenance Technician

Orange, CA · On-site

$26 - $32/hr

Operate maintenance shop equipment such as threaders, drill presses, saws, grinders, and measuring ... mechanical repairs. (High-voltage certification or electrical experience is a plus.) * Safely rig ...

Diagnosing mechanical issues and correcting them * Repairing machines, equipment, or structures as ... Proper use of torch rig, electrical hand tools, grinders, drill motors, die grinders, porta band ...

Diagnosing mechanical issues and correcting them * Repairing machines, equipment, or structures as ... Proper use of torch rig, electrical hand tools, grinders, drill motors, die grinders, porta band ...

Showing results 21-37

Drilling Rig Mechanic information

See California salary details

$22

$28

$36

How much do drilling rig mechanic jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig mechanic in California is $28.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.66 and $33.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drilling rig mechanic?

A Drilling Rig Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting mechanical equipment on drilling rigs. They work on engines, hydraulic systems, pumps, and other essential machinery to ensure smooth drilling operations. This role requires mechanical expertise, problem-solving skills, and adherence to safety protocols. Drilling Rig Mechanics often work in remote locations under challenging conditions. Their work is critical in preventing equipment failures and minimizing downtime during drilling projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a drilling rig mechanic?

To thrive as a Drilling Rig Mechanic, you need strong mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting skills, and formal training such as a technical certification or apprenticeship in heavy equipment maintenance. Familiarity with hydraulic, pneumatic, and electronic diagnostic systems, as well as safety certifications like H2S Alive or RigPass, is highly valued. Effective communication, adaptability, and the ability to work well under pressure are vital soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure you can quickly address rig issues, minimize downtime, and maintain safe operations in often demanding work environments.

What are the typical work schedules and conditions for a drilling rig mechanic?

Drilling Rig Mechanics often work in shifts that can range from standard eight-hour days to twelve-hour rotating shifts, especially when assignments are at remote drilling sites. The work environment can be physically demanding, involving outdoor exposure to varying weather conditions and working around heavy machinery. Teamwork is crucial, as mechanics frequently coordinate with drill operators, safety personnel, and other maintenance staff to ensure equipment is running safely and efficiently. These factors mean flexibility, a strong safety mindset, and willingness to spend extended periods at job sites are important for success and job satisfaction.

What are popular job titles related to Drilling Rig Mechanic jobs in California?

For Drilling Rig Mechanic jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Drilling Rig Mechanic jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Drilling Rig Mechanic jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Drilling Rig Mechanic job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,201 per year, or $28.9 per hour.

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

Durin was founded under the belief that raw materials should not be a constraint on civilization's progress. We are actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of becoming the foundation of the global supply chain.
 
WHO WE ARE
 
Durin builds and operates automated drill rigs to accelerate mineral discovery.
 
Our modern way of life, from smartphones to skyscrapers, starts as ore in the ground. But mines don't simply appear. In fact, the exploration process required to find valuable ore is incredibly long and expensive. This is done by drilling hundreds of surgical holes into the earth to recover cylindrical core samples.
 
Mining is a trillion-dollar industry, but the drills used to explore haven't changed in nearly 100 years. Mines are becoming harder to find, which is a danger to the future of civilization. Our mission is to change that. The first step is mass production of automated drilling rigs to find more mines, faster. That is just the beginning. Learn More
 
BUILDING THE RIG
 
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Durin, you will design and build the world's most advanced drill rigs, redefining mineral exploration as we know it, and uncovering critical subsurface data in hours or days instead of weeks or months. You will have full hardware ownership, taking your projects from initial design requirements and concepts all the way through design, analysis, prototype, qualification, and integration.
 
Note: You don't need mining or drilling experience to excel in this role.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
    • Own the development of next-generation drilling rigs from structure and mechanism design to advanced manufacturing.
    • Develop design concepts from a clean sheet with a first principles, physics-based approach.
    • Perform simulations, stress analysis, hand calculations, and FEA to ensure the durability and performance of components in unbelievably harsh operational conditions.
    • Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to ensure hardware integrates with Durin's electrical, control, and software systems to support necessary mission objectives.
    • Be responsible for project delivery timeline from early design through production, rollout, and global operation.
    • Exemplify technical excellence and be accountable for your work.
    • Optimize mechanical systems for performance, weight, cost, and manufacturability.
    • Conduct field visits to understand operational challenges and implement improvements in real-world environments.
    • Source, retain, and advise new and experienced vendors from a technical perspective.
WHO YOU ARE
    • Experience designing, analyzing, building, and testing high-performance mechanical systems, preferably heavy machinery and/or autonomous systems.
    • Proficiency in CAD software (NX, SolidWorks, or similar).
    • Proficiency with FEA tools for stress analysis and simulation (e.g., ANSYS, NASTRAN, Abaqus).
    • Strong understanding of hydraulic systems, drive mechanisms, and structural design.
    • Analytical/scientific programming experience (i.e., Python, Matlab, Excel).
    • Knowledge of manufacturing processes, tolerances, and selecting materials for mechanical components.
    • Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment to rapidly prototype and manufacture new products.
    • Self-motivated with strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
    • Have a bias to action, take pride in your work, and care more about getting to the right solution than being right.
 
COMPENSATION
 
This role will pay $150,000-$180,000, plus equity, so you have a real stake in Durin's success. Everyone is an owner, so as the company grows, your equity grows too.
 
Aside from base compensation, we invest heavily in our team. You'll have the freedom and resources to try new things and iterate quickly. We're a high-growth company without middle management, which means fast decision making and the ability for you to own major initiatives from day one.
 
We also offer 100% healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are paid for when you're at headquarters, and we can help you find housing nearby.
 
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Must be willing to work from our headquarters in El Segundo
Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed
 
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