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Drilling Rig Jobs in Cleveland, TX (NOW HIRING)

NABORS

AUTOMATION ENGINEER II

Houston, TX · On-site

Hands-on experience with drilling rig equipment, automation systems, commissioning, deployment, or troubleshooting. * Basic understanding of Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix and familiarity ...

Tata Consultancy Service Limited

PLC Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$120K - $130K/yr

Support the development and implementation of advanced control systems for land-based drilling rigs and drilling rig equipment, including participation in customer and vendor facing meetings, and ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX · On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX · On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX · On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

Fugro

Driller - Land

Houston, TX · On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Lead the drilling operations of the rig by handling drill pipe, mixing drill mud, and handling casing and other equipment. * Drive equipment to and from the job location. Complete field assignments ...

NABORS

*Rig Equipment Support Technician

Houston, TX · On-site

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

Experience with drilling rig operations and equipment is required. The ability to gather information, diagnose problems, and resolve issues both proactively and reactively is the technician's primary ...

NABORS

Automation Engineer III

Houston, TX · On-site

This role requires a strong understanding of drilling rig equipment and process, PLC hardware and programming, SCADA systems, industrial networks and communications, Variable Frequency Drives (VFD ...

Enterprise Offshore Drilling

Roustabout

Houston, TX

They work under the direction of the Crane Operator and will use hand and power tools to perform maintenance and repairs to drilling rig equipment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Prepares ...

Enterprise Offshore Drilling

Roustabout

Houston, TX

They work under the direction of the Crane Operator and will use hand and power tools to perform maintenance and repairs to drilling rig equipment. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: * Prepares ...

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All JobsDrilling Rig JobsDrilling Rig Jobs in Cleveland, TX

Drilling Rig information

See Cleveland, TX salary details

$13

$24

$39

How much do drilling rig jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for drilling rig in Cleveland, TX is $24.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $27.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a drilling rig?

A drilling rig is a complex machine used to create holes in the ground, most commonly for the exploration and extraction of oil, natural gas, or water. These rigs can be massive structures used offshore or smaller, mobile units for land-based drilling. Drilling rigs are equipped with specialized equipment to drill, circulate drilling fluids, and handle extracted materials. The type of rig used depends on the location, depth, and purpose of the drilling operation.

What are drilling rig jobs?

Six positions on an oil rig crew run the operations of both onshore and offshore drilling rigs. As the rig manager, you are in charge of the company's interests. You oversee all personnel and operations and report program progress to your superiors. As a driller, you monitor drilling procedures and ensure that all other personnel follows safety and efficiency protocol. As a derrickhand, you maintain and repair the circulating system equipment. Your duties as a leasehand include setting up and taking down the drilling equipment and keeping an organized work environment. The floorhand's responsibilities include manipulating pipe sections and drill stems. Finally, as the motorhand, you operate the diesel and electric engines that keep the rig running.

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

To thrive as a Drilling Rig Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, knowledge of drilling operations, and relevant certifications such as Well Control or IADC Rig Pass. Familiarity with drilling equipment, safety systems, and industry-standard software like drilling data acquisition systems is essential. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for safe and efficient operations. These skills and qualifications are vital to ensure operational safety, minimize downtime, and maintain productivity in demanding environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working on a drilling rig, and how can they be managed?

Professionals working on a drilling rig often encounter challenges such as long shifts, physically demanding tasks, and exposure to harsh weather conditions. Teamwork is essential, as safety depends on clear communication and collaboration among crew members. Adapting quickly to changing situations and following strict safety protocols helps manage risks and ensures smooth operations. Regular training and support from experienced colleagues also play a key role in overcoming these challenges and fostering a safe, productive work environment.

What is the difference between Drilling Rig vs Drilling Operator?

AspectDrilling RigDrilling Operator
CredentialsCertifications in equipment operation, safety trainingSame certifications, plus operational training
Work EnvironmentOn-site at drilling locations, heavy machineryOn-site, operating drilling equipment
Industry UsageUsed to describe the equipment and infrastructureRefers to the personnel operating the equipment

The drilling rig is the large structure used to drill wells, while the drilling operator is the worker who operates the rig. Both roles require similar certifications and work in the same environment, but the rig refers to the equipment, and the operator refers to the personnel managing it.

More about Drilling Rig jobs

What cities near Cleveland, TX are hiring for Drilling Rig jobs?

Cities near Cleveland, TX with the most Drilling Rig job openings:

Drilling Rig jobs near you
Infographic showing various Drilling Rig job openings in Cleveland, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,705 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

AUTOMATION ENGINEER II

Houston, TX • On-site

NABORS
See more jobs at NABORSexternal

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Rig Automation Technology Engineer II, within Rig Automation Technology - NCS Engineering & Technical, supports the development, integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of new and existing drilling rig automation technologies.

The position serves as a technical link between engineering development and field execution, working closely with Controls & Automation, EMS Technical Support, Rig Engineering, Rig Operations, and third-party suppliers to deliver safe, reliable, and field-proven solutions.

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.
  • Preferably Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Petroleum Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
  • Minimum three years of oil and gas industry experience, with working knowledge of drilling rig components and drilling operations.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications.
  • Basic proficiency with AutoCAD and/or SolidWorks and ability to read engineering drawings and technical documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working for a drilling contractor or organization directly involved in drilling operations.
  • Hands-on experience with drilling rig equipment, automation systems, commissioning, deployment, or troubleshooting.
  • Basic understanding of Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix and familiarity with Studio 5000 for diagnostics, logic review, and basic troubleshooting.

Behavioral Competencies

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical, field-focused approach.
  • Demonstrates ownership, accountability, reliability, and commitment to completing assigned work.
  • Organized and dependable in managing priorities, meetings, follow-up actions, and project commitments.
  • Demonstrates initiative to participate in field testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and development activities.
  • Works effectively with multidisciplinary engineering, operations, field, and supplier teams.

Technical Competencies

  • Ability to perform basic engineering calculations related to mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and drilling rig systems.
  • Working knowledge of mechanical, hydraulics, electrical systems, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, and integrated rig automation systems.
  • Willingness to expand learning to PLC-based control systems, Allen-Bradley platforms, and machine-vision technologies.
  • Ability to support systematic troubleshooting and identify practical improvements to equipment and automation systems.

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

  • Ability to travel to domestic and international rig-up yards, test yards, and operating drilling rigs, approximately 25% of time worked.
  • Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and elevated rig structures, including the rig floor and racking board, while wearing required PPE and fall-protection equipment.
  • Ability to work in office, yard, and drilling-rig environments and safely access equipment for testing, commissioning, inspection, and troubleshooting.

#LI-TM007

Work Authorization Requirement: Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Nabors does not provide work visa sponsorship for this position, now or in the future.

  • Perform basic engineering calculations and technical evaluations to assess the safety, suitability, and feasibility of designs and applications.
  • Support the integration, testing, commissioning, deployment, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of drilling rig automation systems.
  • Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including functional requirements, FMECA, test procedures, commissioning reports, troubleshooting guides, field reports, and as-built records.
  • Review drawings, specifications, manuals, and technical data to support evaluation of feasibility, cost, and maintenance requirements.
  • Work with multidisciplinary teams and third-party suppliers to support field execution, testing, troubleshooting, quality, and project deliverables.
  • Expand technical knowledge through hands-on engineering assignments, field exposure, testing, and commissioning activities.

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