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Entry Level Petroleum Engineering Jobs in Alberta

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Entry Level Petroleum Engineering information

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.

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 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.

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.

Are entry level petroleum engineers still in demand?

Entry level petroleum engineers continue to be in demand due to ongoing energy exploration and production activities, especially in regions with active oil and gas operations. The role requires strong technical skills, knowledge of drilling and reservoir management, and often a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related fields. Employment prospects can vary based on market conditions and technological advancements in renewable energy, but the industry generally offers opportunities for new graduates.

How much does an entry level petroleum engineer make?

Entry-level petroleum engineers typically earn a starting salary between $70,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on location and company. Salaries can increase with experience, additional certifications, and advanced skills in reservoir modeling or drilling technology.

What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta?

The most popular types of Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta?

For Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs in Alberta are:

What cities in Alberta are hiring for Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs?

Cities in Alberta with the most Entry Level Petroleum Engineering job openings:

Entry Level Petroleum Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Petroleum Engineering job openings in Alberta as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Drilling Technician Student

Calgary, AB • On-site

Canadian Natural
10K+ employees
Learn more about Canadian Naturalexternal

Full-time

PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

The Opportunity:

Are you a student looking for an exciting opportunity that is full of meaningful, diverse, and ambitious assignments working alongside industry leading professionals? 

Build on your classroom knowledge through working with and learning from experienced industry professionals at one of Canada's largest independent oil and gas producers. Join a company culture that fosters a fun working environment, developing meaningful relationships, and doing it right! 

  • Job location: Calgary, AB - Head Office
  • Work schedule: 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day (Monday - Friday)
  • Term length: 4 months
  • Term starts: May 2027
  • Safety sensitive position: Yes

Key Accountabilities:

  • Entry-level drilling operations support role focused on regulatory compliance, well licensing, drilling reporting, and exposure to industry software used by drilling teams.
  • Support the Drill Tech team through Understanding of Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) requirements and directives, particularly:
    • Directive 056 (Energy Development Applications and Schedules)
    • Directive 008 (Surface Casing Depth Requirements)
    • Directive 059 (Well Drilling and Completion Data Filing Requirements)
  • Acquire hands-on experience with several widely used industry software programs including Wellview, Accumap, Power BI and Tableau
  • Gain exposure to all aspects of Drilling including reporting including Well Licensing, Well License Amendments, Concurrent Ops Plan, AFE's, Daily Drilling Reports, As Drilled Survey, Off set reviews, E-filing, End of well Submissions

 What You Bring to The Role:

  • Currently enrolled in either the Bachelor of Applied Technology - Petroleum Engineering or Petroleum Engineering Technology program at SAIT
  • Attention to detail, organized, collaborative, and thrives in a fast-paced environment

What We Offer:

  • Competitive salary
  • Paid time off during Christmas week and summer Fridays in July and August
  • Multiple volunteer opportunities within the community
  • Students may be eligible for relocation assistance pursuant to Canadian Natural's Student Relocation Policy (students will be responsible for finding their own accommodations during the work term)
  • Opportunities to partake in initiatives such as the Intern Social Committee

Check out our COMPENSATION & BENEFITS overview to learn more about what we have to offer!

If you are interested in this exciting student work term opportunity, please include your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts as part of your online application.

All candidates applying to Canadian Natural must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. This posting will close once a successful candidate has been selected.

Canadian Natural operates one of the largest Campus Recruitment programs in the country, hiring over 400 students every year. Students hired on with us are made to feel a part of the team, gaining high level experience, knowledge, and training that introduces and prepares them for full-time employment. 

We are proud to share that Canadian Natural has been ranked as a Top Employer for 2023, 2024 and 2025 by Canada's Future Workforce and also one of Forbes' Canada's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026.

Industry Leader: We commenced business in 1989 with a handful of employees and modest production, but today we employ more than 10,000 people and produce over 1 million BOE/d. 

Community Investment: Social responsibility is a critical element of our commitment to responsible operations and part of our success and pride as a Company. We are committed to investing in the communities where we live and work, creating shared value along the way.

Compensation and Benefits: We strive to share Company success with all employees through a comprehensive total compensation package.

Our People, Our Stories: Our stories demonstrate the strong culture that exists at Canadian Natural - one that focuses on developing people, working together and doing it right, with fun and integrity.

Check out some of our Student Testimonials!

Apply