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Entry Level Drilling Engineer Jobs in California

WSP

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$80 - $100/hr

The entry level position would involve assignments of limited scope and complexity; work supervised ... Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and ...

WSP

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

... entry level position would involve assignments of limited scope and complexity; work supervised in ... Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and ...

WSP

Associate Geotechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

... entry level position would involve assignments of limited scope and complexity; work supervised in ... Log soil and rock in the field; document groundwater, sampling, and drilling conditions; and ...

SpaceX

Structures Technician (Falcon)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$31 - $38/hr

Select drill bits, reamers and/or countersinking tools for pilot and full size holes * Locate ... Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and specifications

C2Earth, Inc.

Staff Geologist / Engineer

Campbell, CA · On-site

$55K - $90K/yr

... drilling, test pits, soil and rock logging, sampling, and construction observation. * Conduct ... Competitive entry-level salary and benefits package. Flexibility: A healthy mix of field and office ...

VOLT

Entry Level Electrical Assembler

San Diego, CA · On-site

$20.75/hr

Work from schematics, wiring diagrams, standard work sheets, engineering detail drawings, oral ... Locate, drill, mount, and fasten component * Install control consoles, junction boxes, instrument ...

ADB

QA/QC Specialist

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$24/hr

... I and Engineering. Our customer centric approach has ensured long term relationships with ... Can independently operate one or more types of heavy equipment (directional drill, mini excavator ...

Somacis Inc

CAM Technician

Poway, CA · On-site

As an Entry-Level CAM Technician at Somacis, you will play a pivotal role in the transformation of ... Participate in verifying rout and drill programs to ensure compliance with engineering ...

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Entry Level Drilling Engineer information

See California salary details

$88.8K

$115.1K

$135.2K

How much do entry level drilling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level drilling engineer in California is $115,138.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,100.00 and $126,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level drilling engineer?

An Entry Level Drilling Engineer assists in planning, designing, and overseeing drilling operations for oil and gas extraction. They work under the guidance of senior engineers to ensure safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in drilling projects. Responsibilities include analyzing drilling data, selecting appropriate equipment, and troubleshooting operational challenges. This role requires knowledge of drilling techniques, engineering principles, and industry regulations. It serves as a foundation for career growth in petroleum engineering and drilling operations.

What does an entry level drilling engineer do?

A typical workweek for an Entry Level Drilling Engineer often includes a mix of fieldwork on drilling sites and office-based planning or analysis. You might spend several days at the rig site overseeing daily drilling activities, recording data, and ensuring procedures comply with safety and engineering standards. When not on-site, you may collaborate with senior engineers or geologists to review data, draft reports, and refine drilling programs. This structure provides hands-on learning and exposure to real-world challenges while supporting your professional development through mentorship and teamwork.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level drilling engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Drilling Engineer, a bachelor's degree in petroleum, mechanical, or related engineering field and fundamental knowledge of drilling principles are essential. Familiarity with drilling software (such as WellCAD or Landmark), safety certifications (like H2S Awareness), and basic understanding of rig equipment are commonly required. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and strong communication skills make candidates stand out in this collaborative and safety-critical field. These skills ensure safe, efficient drilling operations while facilitating growth and adaptability in complex field environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Drilling Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Drilling Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs in California?

For Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Drilling Engineer job openings:

Entry Level Drilling Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Drilling Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,138 per year, or $55.4 per hour.

Driller Assistant/Exploration Team Member I

TERRACON

Lodi, CA • On-site

$24.50 - $33.25/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Terracon rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 121 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

51st of 72 rated business consultants

Job description

Exploration Team Members (ETMs) will perform subsurface exploration duties using conventional drilling or in-situ testing techniques. Drill methods may include auger drilling, mud rotary drilling, air rotary drilling, and diamond bit coring techniques. In-situ testing techniques may include cone penetration testing (CPT), pressure meter testing, and rock dilatometer testing. Work may also include the installation of instrumentation such as piezometers, monitor wells and inclinometers. Work as part of a multiple person team on projects. ETMs will perform daily tasks including survey and locate drilling points; conduct site reconnaissance; load/unload tooling, materials and samples; classify soil and rock samples; perform routine maintenance and basic repairs on drilling equipment, prepare internal (daily field forms) and external (DOT Logs) paperwork.
Terracon is a 100 percent employee-owned multidiscipline consulting firm comprised of more than 8,000 curious minds focused on solving engineering and technical challenges from more than 200 locations nationwide. Since 1965, Terracon has evolved into a successful multi-discipline firm specializing in environmental, facilities, geotechnical, and materials services. Terracon's growth is due to our talented employee-owners exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon was recognized as the #1 firm in Asbestos and Lead Abatement.

Terracon's vision of "Together, we are best at people" is demonstrated through our excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, role and job status, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, and various bonus programs.
Innovation and hands-on practice come together in our geotechnical consulting services. We provide geotechnical services nationwide for a wide range of projects, drawing on six decades of historical geotechnical data, a fleet of more than 200 drill rigs, 140 accredited laboratories, and thousands of employees to quickly organize or capture site data wherever projects are located.From AI-supported solutions and predictive technologies to geophysics and traditional exploration, we deliver precision, value-added subsurface information and engineering and scientific expertise to solving our clients' challenges and achieve their goals for project sustainability, quality, and efficiency.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Limited or no experience required
  • A valid driver's license with acceptable violation history may be required.

Required Qualifications:

  • Ability to obtain a DOT Medical Card within first 30 days of employment.

This is an entry level position. No experience is required. The employee will be expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Load tooling and materials.
  • Assist in drilling operations and instrumentation and monitoring well installation.
  • Collect soil and rock samples and log field data.
  • Perform routine repairs and maintenance.
  • Perform basic surveying and site reconnaissance.
  • Drive a medium-duty truck and trailer.
  • Learn to inspect and how to maintain equipment.
  • Follow safety rules, guidelines and standards for all projects. 
  • Participate in pre-task planning. 
  • Report any safety issues or concerns to management.
  • Be responsible for maintaining quality standards on all projects.

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