Entry Level Drilling Rig Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Mechanical Engineer I supports the design, analysis, documentation, manufacturing, and lifecycle of capital equipment used on land drilling rigs. This entry-level engineering role contributes to the development and continuous improvement of mechanical systems, structures, assemblies, and components used in drilling applications. The position works closely with senior engineers, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, field service, and operations teams to ensure products are safe, reliable, manufacturable, serviceable, and aligned with customer and industry requirements.
Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain mechanical designs, layouts, models, drawings, bills of materials, and engineering documentation for drilling rig equipment, structures, and mechanical assemblies.
• Support product development activities from concept through detailed design, prototype support, manufacturing release, and field implementation.
• Perform basic engineering calculations and analyses related to strength of materials, structural loading, machine design, hydraulics interfaces, bolted joints, weldments, and mechanical fit-up.
• Use 3D CAD and engineering tools to create models, drawings, assemblies, and design revisions in accordance with company standards and design practices.
• Assist with finite element analysis, hand calculations, design reviews, tolerance checks, and validation activities under the guidance of senior engineering personnel.
• Investigate design, manufacturing, assembly, and field issues; document findings; and support corrective actions, design improvements, and product reliability initiatives.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, quality, operations, and field service teams to improve manufacturability, cost, assembly efficiency, maintainability, and service performance.
• Support the selection and specification of materials, purchased components, fasteners, bearings, bushings, hydraulic interfaces, structural members, and fabricated parts.
• Review supplier and shop feedback to identify opportunities for standardization, simplification, cost reduction, and improved equipment performance.
• Prepare and maintain engineering change requests, technical reports, test documentation, risk assessments, and design verification records.
• Participate in design reviews, failure reviews, root cause analysis, field support discussions, and continuous improvement projects.
• Perform work in accordance with applicable company procedures, safety requirements, quality expectations, and industry standards relevant to drilling equipment.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Zero to two years of relevant experience in mechanical design, manufacturing support, product development, or equipment engineering.
• Working knowledge of core mechanical engineering principles, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, machine design, fluid power fundamentals, and materials selection.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar design tools.
• Ability to read, interpret, and create engineering drawings, specifications, tolerances, welding symbols, and bills of materials.
• Basic understanding of fabricated structures, machined components, bolted joints, welded assemblies, and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, documentation, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional environment with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, field service, and operations personnel.
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and capable of managing assigned tasks with appropriate guidance and follow-up.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineer-in-Training certification or progress toward Fundamentals of Engineering certification.
• Internship, co-op, or project experience related to heavy equipment, capital equipment, oilfield equipment, drilling rigs, machinery, structural design, manufacturing, or field service support.
• Exposure to finite element analysis, mechanical simulation, fatigue concepts, structural analysis, or design verification methods.
• Familiarity with hydraulic systems.
• Familiarity with rotating machinery.
• Familiarity with hoisting equipment, pipe handling equipment, structural frames, or drilling rig floor equipment.
• Knowledge of welding, machining, fabrication, assembly processes, inspection methods, and design for manufacturability.
• Familiarity with engineering standards and practices applicable to drilling equipment, structural components, lifting devices, machinery, and industrial safety.
• Experience using product data management, enterprise resource planning, or engineering change management systems.

Key Competencies

• Mechanical design and machine design fundamentals.
• Structural and mechanical analysis.
• Manufacturing support and design for manufacturability.
• Technical documentation and engineering change control.
• Problem solving, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
• Cross-functional communication and collaboration

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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.
About Us
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.
About the Team
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.