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Graduate Reservoir Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Petroleum Engineer

Carlsbad, NM · On-site +1

$71K - $134K/yr

... graduate degree. -OR- Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as ... Investigating and analyzing reservoir management problems and drainage determining drainage areas ...

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Water Resources Senior Project Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$93K - $121K/yr

... reservoir studies, potable and wastewater systems, water treatment and surface water modeling ... A Master's level education or post-graduate study is a plus. * Minimum of ten (10) years of ...

Water Resources Senior Project Engineer

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$93K - $121K/yr

... reservoir studies, potable and wastewater systems, water treatment and surface water modeling ... A Master's level education or post-graduate study is a plus. * Minimum of ten (10) years of ...

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Graduate Reservoir Engineer information

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$61K

$124K

$173.5K

How much do graduate reservoir engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate reservoir engineer in the United States is $123,968.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $106,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Reservoir Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Reservoir Engineer, a strong background in petroleum engineering, geology, or a related field with solid analytical and mathematical skills is essential. Familiarity with reservoir simulation software (such as Eclipse or Petrel), data analysis tools, and basic programming is often required. Strong teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and convey technical findings to multidisciplinary teams. These competencies are crucial for optimizing hydrocarbon recovery, ensuring efficient field development, and supporting decision-making in complex projects.

What are Graduate Reservoir Engineers?

Graduate Reservoir Engineers are entry-level professionals who specialize in analyzing and managing oil and gas reservoirs. They use engineering principles, geological data, and computer models to estimate reserves, forecast production, and optimize extraction methods. Typically, these engineers work under the supervision of senior engineers and are involved in field development planning, reservoir monitoring, and performance evaluation. Their work is crucial for maximizing resource recovery while ensuring environmental and economic efficiency.

What are some typical challenges a Graduate Reservoir Engineer might face in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

As a Graduate Reservoir Engineer, you may initially encounter challenges such as interpreting large volumes of subsurface data, understanding complex reservoir simulation software, and adapting to multidisciplinary teamwork. It's common to feel overwhelmed by the technical jargon and the fast-paced nature of project timelines. To overcome these obstacles, seek mentorship from experienced engineers, actively participate in training sessions, and collaborate closely with geologists and production engineers to build a strong foundational understanding. Regular communication and a willingness to ask questions will help you integrate quickly and contribute effectively to the team.

What is the difference between Graduate Reservoir Engineer vs Reservoir Engineer?

AspectGraduate Reservoir EngineerReservoir Engineer
QualificationsBachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related field; some internshipsBachelor's or master's degree; professional experience often required
Work ExperienceEntry-level, limited industry experienceTypically 2+ years of experience in reservoir modeling and analysis
Work EnvironmentTraining programs, supervised projects, team collaborationIndependent project work, decision-making responsibilities

The main difference is experience level: Graduate Reservoir Engineers are entry-level professionals learning industry practices, while Reservoir Engineers have more experience and handle complex reservoir management tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Reservoir Engineers are expected to take on greater responsibilities over time.

More about Graduate Reservoir Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Graduate Reservoir Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Graduate Reservoir Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Graduate Reservoir Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Reservoir Engineer jobs are:

Job description

Explore a new career with the BLM - where our people are our most precious resource.
This position is located in within the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, in the division of Lands and Minerals, Carlsbad, NEW MEXICO.
We expect to fill one vacancy at this time; however, additional positions may be filled from this announcement if they become available.Qualifications:In order to be rated as qualified for this position, we must be able to determine that you meet the qualification requirements - please be sure to include this information in your resume. No assumptions will be made about your experience.
You must meet one of the following Basic Requirements in order to be eligible for this position; please see the Education section for the Basic Requirements
--AND--
To qualify for the GS-09: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-07 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience may include all of the following:
  • Assisting higher-level petroleum engineers in the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources including: well design, well completion, workover, and plugging
  • Working independently to carry out routine engineering assignments that require the applications of mathematical, physical, and engineering sciences to the petroleum engineering field and progressively carrying out more complex assignments (i.e., abandonment and reservoir engineering and analysis) under supervision
  • Providing basic recommendations and advise senior staff regarding onshore oil and gas situations or complications; assist with diverse engineering projects
  • Provide technical guidance and assist with on-site onshore oil and gas inspections
-OR-
EDUCATION: 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above. You must include transcripts.
To qualify for the GS-11: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience may include all of the following:
  • Providing petroleum engineering expertise to carry out difficult and conventional assignments
  • Unconventional applications including those covering unprecedented, complex and/or novel proposals needing senior engineering assistance
  • Investigating and analyzing reservoir management problems and drainage determining drainage areas and volumes providing professional petroleum engineering and regulatory review and making recommendations for approval of conventional oil and gas applications and inspecting oil and gas activities for conformance with standards and compliance
-OR-
EDUCATION: Successful completion of at least 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. You must include transcripts.
-OR-
Successful completion of a combination of education and experience as described above.
To qualify for the GS-12: At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors). This experience may include all of the following:
  • Performing technical review and makes recommendations for approval of all down-hole operations
  • Reviews downhole pressures, casing and cementing plans, blow out prevention equipment, geology and other procedures to protect people, minerals, and aquifers
  • Coordinates with other specialists; provides on-the-spot instructions and authorizations for final plugging and abandonment of wells
  • Provides technical expertise and support to junior Petroleum Engineers, Petroleum Engineering Technicians, and Petroleum Accounting Technicians concerning oil and gas inspection and enforcement issues; conducts both engineering and economic analyses to determine viability of proposals/variances and their respective short and long term benefits
  • Reviews well data, leases, spacing units/communization agreements and/or federal units for various compliance issues, and maintains relative spreadsheets
  • Provides various technical reports to management and state office for higher level meetings
  • Provides expertise to management regarding complex technical issues

There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You must meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
Time In Grade Requirement: Applicants must meet both eligibility and qualification requirements for the position of interest by the closing date of the JOA. Specifically,
i. Area of Consideration.
ii. Time-in-grade (TIG) requirements as specified in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
iii. Time after competitive appointment as specified in 5 CFR 330.502.
iv. Qualification requirements outlined in OPM's Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions or for Federal Wage System (FWS), wage grade positions, applicants are evaluated using the OPM Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations and the job element examining methodEducation:You must meet one of the following Basic Requirements in order to be eligible for this position;
Petroleum Engineer- 0881 Series Basic Requirements:
  1. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. --OR--
  2. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
    1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
    2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
    3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
    4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)

PROOF OF EDUCATION: All applicants who are using education or a combination of education and experience to qualify must submit copies of official or unofficial transcripts which include grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, institution name, and student name. If any required coursework is not easily recognizable on transcripts, or if you believe a portion of a particular course can be credited toward meeting an educational requirement, you must also provide a memorandum on letterhead from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating the percentage of the course that should be considered to meet the requirement and the equivalent number of units. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable; however, if you are selected for the position, you will be required to produce the original official transcripts.
GRADUATE EDUCATION: One academic year of graduate education is considered to be the number of credits hours your graduate school has determined to represent one academic year of full-time study. Such study may have been performed on a full-time or part-time basis. If you cannot obtain your graduate school's definition of one year of graduate study, 18 semester hours (or 27 quarter hours) should be considered as satisfying the requirement for one year of full-time graduate study.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: Recognition of Foreign Qualifications | International Affairs Office (ed.gov).Employment Type: OTHER