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Entry Level Petroleum Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... engineering positions and projects that contribute value to Chevron. Entry-level Petroleum Engineers will be provided guidance by a supervisor and a technical mentor. Positions can be either field or ...

... engineering positions and projects that contribute value to Chevron. Entry-level Petroleum Engineers will be provided guidance by a supervisor and a technical mentor. Positions can be either field or ...

... engineering positions and projects that contribute value to Chevron. Entry-level Petroleum Engineers will be provided guidance by a supervisor and a technical mentor. Positions can be either field or ...

... engineering positions and projects that contribute value to Chevron. Entry-level Petroleum Engineers will be provided guidance by a supervisor and a technical mentor. Positions can be either field or ...

... ** Entry Level Candidates are Encouraged to Apply!!!** General Responsibilities: * Conduct ... Petroleum Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering disciplines. Other high ...

... ** Entry Level Candidates are Encouraged to Apply!!!** General Responsibilities: * Conduct ... Petroleum Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering disciplines. Other high ...

... ** Entry Level Candidates are Encouraged to Apply!!!** General Responsibilities: * Conduct ... Petroleum Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering disciplines. Other high ...

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, or related field. EXPERIENCE: * Entry-level reservoir engineering and field development. * Strong knowledge of material balance and decline curve analysis.

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, or related field. EXPERIENCE: * Entry-level reservoir engineering and field development. * Strong knowledge of material balance and decline curve analysis.

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, or related field. EXPERIENCE: * Entry-level reservoir engineering and field development. * Strong knowledge of material balance and decline curve analysis.

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Entry Level Petroleum Engineering information

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How much do entry level petroleum engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level petroleum engineering in the United States is $80,025.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $114,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Petroleum Engineering vs Entry Level Mechanical Engineering?

AspectEntry Level Petroleum EngineeringEntry Level Mechanical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering, possibly some internshipsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, internships or co-ops beneficial
Work EnvironmentOil rigs, drilling sites, exploration companiesManufacturing plants, design offices, maintenance facilities
Employer & Industry UsageOil & gas companies, energy sectorManufacturing, automotive, aerospace industries
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in petroleum vs mechanical engineering

Entry Level Petroleum Engineering focuses on oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production, often in field environments. In contrast, Entry Level Mechanical Engineering involves designing, analyzing, and maintaining mechanical systems across various industries. Both roles require a bachelor's degree and internships, but they differ in work settings and industry focus.

What is the entry level salary for a petroleum engineer?

Entry-level petroleum engineers typically earn a starting salary between $70,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on location, education, and company size. They often work in exploration, drilling, and production environments, utilizing skills in geology, reservoir engineering, and computer modeling.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Petroleum Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Petroleum Engineer, you need a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, along with a solid grasp of mathematics, geology, and engineering principles. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Petrel, MATLAB, and reservoir simulation tools, as well as internships or EIT (Engineer-in-Training) certification, is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and solve complex problems. These skills and qualifications are essential to ensure safe, efficient, and innovative extraction of oil and gas resources.

Is 40 too late to be an engineer?

Entry level petroleum engineering positions typically require a bachelor's degree in engineering and relevant internships or certifications. Age is not a barrier; many engineers start their careers later in life and bring valuable experience to the field.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an entry-level petroleum engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As an entry-level petroleum engineer, you will typically be involved in supporting senior engineers with tasks such as data analysis, preparing reports, and monitoring drilling or production operations. You may assist with reservoir modeling, well testing, and evaluating production techniques. Most new hires rotate through various departments to gain broad exposure to drilling, production, and reservoir engineering, working closely with multidisciplinary teams. This structure helps you build a solid technical foundation, understand field operations, and develop strong collaboration skills early in your career.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

In the field of petroleum engineering, senior-level professionals with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with bonuses and profit-sharing. Such compensation is typically found in senior management, executive positions, or highly specialized roles within the industry.

Is it hard to find a job as a petroleum engineer?

Finding a job as a petroleum engineer can be competitive due to industry fluctuations, but opportunities exist in exploration, production, and consulting firms. Strong technical skills, relevant internships, and professional certifications can improve employment prospects in this field.

What does an entry level petroleum engineer do?

An entry level petroleum engineer assists with the design, development, and evaluation of methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth's surface. Their responsibilities often include collecting and analyzing geological data, supporting drilling operations, monitoring production rates, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers and gain practical experience while learning industry-specific technologies and processes.
More about Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Petroleum Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Petroleum Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Petroleum Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,025 per year, or $38.5 per hour.
2026-2027 Petroleum Engineer - Full Time

2026-2027 Petroleum Engineer - Full Time

Chevron

Covington, LA • On-site, Remote

$118K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 12 days ago


Chevron rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 218 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

68th of 86 rated oil and gas companies


Job description

Who We Are. Chevron is one of the world's leading energy companies-but what really sets us apart is how we're rethinking energy for the future. From producing oil and gas to developing lowercarbon technologies, Chevron engineers work across the full energy system to power everyday life more safely, efficiently, and responsibly. Learn more about What We Do and The Chevron Way.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Chevron operates around the globe and across the entire energy value chain. Learn more on our website Chevron.com.

What You'll Actually Do

For the 2026-2027 recruiting season, Chevron is accepting online applications for entry-level Petroleum Engineers in the following potential locations

  • Houston, Texas
  • Midland, Texas
  • Greeley, Colorado
  • Minot, North Dakota
  • Covington, Louisiana
  • Bakersfield, California

Petroleum Engineers within Chevron are part of multi-disciplinary teams which vary in make-up but can include petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists, facility engineers, drilling and completion engineers, data scientists, and / or software developers. Petroleum engineers develop technical skills in production and reservoir engineering assignments focused on asset development planning, production operations, reserves, uncertainty and risk management, and capital project development.

Entry-level Petroleum Engineers are assigned to production and reservoir engineering positions and projects that contribute value to Chevron. Entry-level Petroleum Engineers will be provided guidance by a supervisor and a technical mentor. Positions can be either field or office based.

For recent graduates, Chevron has a competency-based employee development program that typically includes two technical assignments in the first 3 years of their career. This is supported by comprehensive technical training and mentoring combined with on-the-job experience. Mobility is encouraged as there may be some opportunities for Chevron's Petroleum Engineers to work in a variety of assignments at different US locations.

As a Petroleum Engineer, you could begin your career in Chevron's domestic Upstream operations or research-focused Center of Excellence (COE) spending your first 5-10 years in a combination of production and/or reservoir engineering assignments. You will be tasked to solve technically challenging problems with the opportunity to utilize cutting-edge digital technologies and techniques. Career opportunities for petroleum engineers may include asset team leadership, business planning and analysis, non-operated joint venture asset management, operations supervision, portfolio development, and project management.

What's Next After the Internship

Topperforming interns may be invited back-or offered a fulltime role after graduation.

New grads who join Chevron fulltime enter the Horizons Program, a structured earlycareer experience that includes:

  • Formal training + onthejob learning
  • Mentorship from experienced professionals
  • Multiple job assignments and possible location rotations

You can build a career as a technical expert, people leader, or both.

What You Must Have

The following qualifications are required:

  • Students completing the last year of their bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines with less than two years of directly related work experience.
  • Strong academic performance in core programs, and excellent communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
  • This position may require driving on a routine basis.
  • Ability to demonstrate The Chevron Way.

What Sets You Apart

The following are preferred qualifications:

  • Students completing the last year of their Master's or Doctorate program or with less than 2 years post-graduate degree experience in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related disciplines.
  • Experience in research, technology development or consulting.
  • Previous experience in an integrated oil or international service company intern program.
  • Participation in an industry or energy company university research project.

Why Intern at Chevron?

  • You work on real projects, not side tasks
  • You use modern tools and cloud platforms
  • You learn how software scales in a global enterprise
  • You build skills that translate anywhere
  • You're supported by experienced engineers and mentors

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $118,000/annually - $138,000/annually. The selected candidate's monthly or hourly compensation will be determined based on their selected role, degree level and academic year.

As an intern, you will receive the following benefits:

  • Furnished housing.
  • Participation in Employee Savings Investment Plan with immediate vesting in both employee and company contributions.
    • Chevron matching contributions:
      • 4% company match for a 1% employee contribution.
      • 8% company match for a 2% employee contribution.
  • Work schedules:
    • Flexible work schedules (5/40, 9/80, or 4/10), as determined by the work group and confirmed with the hiring manager.
  • Paid holidays depending on your work schedule.
  • Full year of service credit for each internship completion (must be re-employed within 365 days)

If later converted to a fulltime new graduate position, Chevron offers competitive pay and benefits to eligible employees, including healthcare, time off, retirement plans, and development opportunities. Learn more at http://hr2.chevron.com/

Relocation Options:

Relocation may be considered

International Considerations:

Chevron regrets that it will not sponsor employment Visas or consider individuals on time-limited Visa status for this position unless the candidate possesses a Ph.D. or is currently enrolled in a Ph.D. program

These positions may involve Chevron Oil, Products & Gas (OPG) technologies that are subject to U.S. export controls and trade sanctions. These export control laws apply to individuals who are (a) not U.S. citizens, permanent resident aliens, temporary resident aliens, applicants for temporary resident status, refugees, or asylees; and who are also (b) current citizens or permanent residents of a country that is subject to comprehensive trade sanctions under U.S. export control law, http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspx. As such, we regret that we would be unable to provide a meaningful internship experience at OPG for you because under government regulations, OPG would not be able to allow access to such technologies absent an authorization from the U.S. government. For this reason, OPG is not considering applicants who are current citizens and/or permanent residents of countries subject to comprehensive U.S. trade sanctions.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and unofficial transcript(s) online.

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    U.S. Regulatory notice:

    Chevron is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin or ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, medical condition, reproductive health decision-making, military or veteran status, political preference, marital status, citizenship, genetic information or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

    We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please email us at emplymnt@chevron.com.

    Chevron participates in E-Verify in certain locations as required by law.


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    About Chevron

    Sourced by ZipRecruiter

    Chevron is one of the world's leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy is essential to achieving a more prosperous and sustainable world. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We are focused on lowering the carbon intensity in our operations and seeking to grow lower carbon businesses along with our traditional business lines. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.

    Industry

    Oil and coal products manufacturing, civic and social organizations and oil and gas extraction

    Company size

    10,000+ Employees

    Headquarters location

    San Ramon, CA, US

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