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Lead Mwd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Conduct detailed construction planning, including contract manual, subcontractor selections, MWD/BE ... project's programming and conceptual design activities. * Lead estimating team members in ...

Conduct detailed construction planning, including contract manual, subcontractor selections, MWD/BE ... project's programming and conceptual design activities. * Lead estimating team members in ...

Conduct detailed construction planning, including contract manual, subcontractor selections, MWD/BE ... project's programming and conceptual design activities. * Lead estimating team members in ...

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Lead Mwd Engineer information

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$42.5K

$123.8K

$180.5K

How much do lead mwd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead mwd engineer in the United States is $123,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Lead MWD engineer?

Lead MWD (Measurement While Drilling) Engineers are experienced professionals in the oil and gas industry who oversee and manage the measurement while drilling operations on a drilling rig. They are responsible for ensuring the accurate acquisition and transmission of downhole data, such as wellbore trajectory, formation properties, and drilling parameters. Lead MWD Engineers supervise a team, troubleshoot technical issues, maintain equipment, and collaborate with drilling and directional drilling teams to optimize well performance. Their expertise is critical to safe and efficient drilling operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead MWD engineer?

To thrive as a Lead MWD Engineer, you need expertise in directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD) technologies, and a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with MWD tool software, data acquisition systems, and industry certifications such as IWCF or Well Control are typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and effective communication help you manage teams and ensure accurate data interpretation. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering precise wellbore placement and maintaining operational safety in challenging drilling environments.

How does a Lead MWD engineer coordinate with drilling and geology teams during a project?

A Lead MWD (Measurement While Drilling) Engineer plays a central role in facilitating communication between drilling and geology teams. They are responsible for interpreting real-time downhole data and sharing critical information about well trajectory, formation properties, and drilling parameters. This collaboration helps ensure drilling operations stay on target and adapt to geological changes, minimizing risks and optimizing performance. Regular meetings and clear reporting are key aspects of this coordination process.

What is the difference between Lead Mwd Engineer vs Drilling Engineer?

AspectLead Mwd EngineerDrilling Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in petroleum engineering or related field, with certifications in MWD technologyRequires a degree in petroleum or mechanical engineering, with industry-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentOperates mainly on drilling rigs, focusing on measurement-while-drilling technologyWorks on drilling plans, well design, and operational management, often on-site or office-based
Industry UsageCommonly used in oil and gas drilling operations, especially in directional and horizontal drillingUsed broadly in drilling projects for well planning, execution, and optimization

The Lead Mwd Engineer specializes in real-time measurement and data collection during drilling, focusing on MWD technology. In contrast, the Drilling Engineer oversees overall well planning and drilling operations. Both roles require technical expertise but differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

What job categories do people searching Lead Mwd Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Lead Mwd Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Lead Mwd Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,784 per year, or $59.5 per hour.

Controls & Modeling Engineer (Senior - Principal) - Advanced Automation

Halliburton

Houston, TX • On-site, Remote

$92K - $122K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Halliburton rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 135 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

352nd of 449 rated engineering


Job description

We are looking for the right people — people who want to innovate, achieve, grow and lead. We attract and retain the best talent by investing in our employees and empowering them to develop themselves and their careers. Experience the challenges, rewards and opportunity of working for one of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the global energy industry.

About Sperry Drilling

Sperry Drilling delivers industry-leading Measurement-While-Drilling (MWD), Logging-While-Drilling (LWD), and Rotary Steerable System (RSS) technologies that help operators drill safer, faster, and more precisely. Through advanced downhole tools, real-time data acquisition, and reliability-driven engineering, Sperry enables customers to maximize well placement, efficiency, and reservoir understanding in every drilling environment.

About the Role

The Controls & Modeling Engineer advances research and development of next-generation automation, controls, robotics, and intelligent systems technologies within the Advanced Controls COE.

This role focus on rigorous application of advanced control theory, dynamic modeling, estimation, optimization, machine learning, and agentic AI to high-value engineering problems.

Work spans early-stage concept generation, algorithm development, simulation and validation, prototype implementation, and transition of emerging technologies into deployable workflows and systems.

This position contributes to strategic R&D initiatives with direct commercial relevance. Scope includes development of physics-based and data-driven methods for automation, operational decision support, autonomous and semi-autonomous systems, and model-based performance improvement. Close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, software, digital, and operations.


Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and evaluate agentic AI systems that combine reasoning, tools, data, and simulation assets to enable advanced technical analysis, automation, and human-in-the-loop decision making. 
  • Integrate large language models (LLMs), retrieval-augmented systems, and AI agents with controls, modeling, and optimization frameworks. 
  • Develop machine learning, data analytics, and hybrid physics-AI approaches to improve system performance, automation, and operational efficiency. 
  • Develop software tools, workflows, orchestration pipelines, and visualization capabilities to support AI-enabled engineering and operations. 
  • Conduct research and development in advanced controls, robotics, dynamic modeling, and automation for complex engineering systems. 
  • Design & apply advanced control techniques including adaptive, nonlinear, robust, optimal, and model predictive control (MPC). 
  • Develop and validate dynamic models, simulations, and system identification methodologies. 
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, software, data science, and operations. 
  • Contribute to technical innovation through patents, publications, conferences, and internal programs. 
Qualifications

Required

  • PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline with emphasis on controls, dynamic systems, automation, machine learning, or intelligent systems; or equivalent R&D experience. 
  • Experience with agentic AI, LLM-based workflows, orchestration frameworks, or tool-using AI agents applied to scientific, industrial, or engineering use cases. 
  • Deep knowledge of control theory, including modern control, optimal control, Model Predictive Control (MPC), and system dynamics. 
  • Knowledge of robotics, mechatronics, high‑DoF systems, path planning, and dynamic modeling. 
  • Strong technical communication and collaboration skills. 

Preferred

  • Ability to build data pipelines, workflows, and analytical tools for AI/ML tool chain which includes data cleaning, feature extraction, optimization, and insight generation. 
  • Strong programming skills in MATLAB, Python, C/C++, C#, Java, or similar languages. 
  • Create dashboards and use data visualization tools such as Python, or JavaScript Typescript frameworks. 
  • Ability to design, analyze, and troubleshoot control systems, sensors, actuators, pumps, VFDs, and automation hardware. 
  • Strong capability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, P&IDs, flow charts, and cause‑and‑effect diagrams.  

Candidates exceeding minimum requirements may be considered for higher-level positions based on experience, additional qualifications, and business needs. Career progression ranges Controls & Modeling Engineer Senior to Controls & Modeling Engineer Principal. 

World Class Benefits

At Halliburton, we’re committed to supporting you and your family with a comprehensive and affordable benefits package that covers your physical, emotional, financial, and parental needs — now and in the future. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a wide range of programs designed to help you thrive at work and at home.

Click here to review a summary of the benefits available once you join.

Core Competencies

Advanced Control Systems | Control Theory & System Identification | Robotics & Autonomous Systems | High DoF Systems & Path Planning | Modeling & Simulation | Control + Machine Learning | Data Analytics + Engineering | Neural Networks & Bayesian Methods | MATLAB/Simulink & Python | Dynamic Systems & Optimization | Robotics + Control | Theory + Practical Deployment | Field Implementation Experience | Cross-Functional Collaboration | Innovation & Technology Development

Halliburton is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/ orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

Location

3000 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Houston, Texas, 77032, United States

Job Details

Requisition Number: 207457  
Experience Level: Experienced Hire 
Job Family: Engineering/Science/Technology 
Product Service Line: Sperry Drilling Svcs   
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

Additional Locations for this position: 

Compensation Information
Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.


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About Halliburton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Halliburton, headquartered in Houston, TX, US, is a world-renowned corporation in the oilfield services industry. Established in 1919, the company has made significant inroads in the energy sector, playing a pivotal role in oil and gas explorations across the globe. One can visit their official website, halliburton.com, to learn more about their business operations, products, and services. Halliburton specializes in a broad spectrum of services including locating hydrocarbons, managing geological data, drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production throughout the life of the field. Halliburton’s mission is to maximize the value of oil and gas assets.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US