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Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Offshore Operations Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$66K - $89K/yr

Join Saipem and engineer a sustainable future. We are a global leader in engineering and ... Minimum 3-5 years' experience in the oil & gas industry Languages: English Technical Skills:

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Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer information

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$90K

$116.7K

$137K

How much do offshore oil drilling software engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for offshore oil drilling software engineer in the United States is $116,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $105,500.00 and $128,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an offshore oil drilling software engineer do?

An Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software systems that control and monitor drilling operations on offshore oil rigs. They work with specialized industrial hardware and software to ensure drilling processes are safe, efficient, and compliant with regulations. Their role often includes creating automation solutions, troubleshooting real-time data collection systems, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize drilling performance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an offshore oil drilling software engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science or engineering, experience with industrial control systems, and knowledge of oil and gas operations. Proficiency with SCADA systems, PLC programming, real-time data acquisition tools, and relevant certifications like CompTIA or ISA are highly valuable. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and responding to critical situations. These competencies are crucial for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of drilling operations in a high-stakes offshore environment.

What are some unique challenges software engineers face when developing solutions for offshore oil drilling operations?

As an Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer, you may encounter challenges such as designing software that can operate reliably in remote and harsh environments with limited connectivity. Ensuring real-time data processing and robust cybersecurity measures is critical due to the sensitive nature of drilling operations. Additionally, you’ll often collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including field engineers and geoscientists, to tailor solutions that meet both technical and operational requirements. Adapting to rotating schedules or periods of on-site support may also be part of the role.

What is the difference between Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer vs Offshore Oil Rig Technician?

AspectOffshore Oil Drilling Software EngineerOffshore Oil Rig Technician
Primary RoleDevelops and maintains software systems for drilling operationsMaintains and operates drilling equipment on offshore rigs
Required SkillsProgramming, software development, systems analysisMechanical skills, equipment troubleshooting, safety procedures
Work EnvironmentOffice settings, offshore platforms for testingOnboard offshore rigs, field locations
CertificationsEngineering degrees, software certificationsSafety training, technical certifications

The Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer focuses on software development for drilling operations, while the Offshore Oil Rig Technician handles equipment maintenance and troubleshooting on rigs. Both roles are essential in offshore drilling but require different skill sets and certifications.

Can a offshore oil drilling software engineer work in an oil company?

Yes, offshore oil drilling software engineers can work in oil companies, typically focusing on developing and maintaining software for drilling operations, safety systems, and data analysis. They often require knowledge of drilling equipment, industry standards, and programming skills in languages like Python or C++, and may need safety certifications or security clearances. Their work environment involves collaboration with engineers and field teams to optimize drilling processes.

What cities are hiring for Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer jobs are:

Infographic showing various Offshore Oil Drilling Software Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $116,666 per year, or $56.1 per hour.

Software Engineer III

Hanover, MD • On-site


Oceaneering International, Inc.
Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 22 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

373rd of 495 rated machine equipment manufacturers

People enjoy working here

Paid breaks

Respectful managers


$118K - $177K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


Job description

OTECH produces and maintains unique underwater systems - typically for US Navy and other US Government Department of Defense customers.  Our projects are all one-of-a-kind. Projects range from quick burn to lifecycle management of fielded systems. This position would yield a solid depth of understanding of the software lifecycle and how it best applies to the entire fielded system

Oceaneering is a global provider of engineered services and products, primarily to the offshore energy industry. We develop products and services for use throughout the lifecycle of an offshore oilfield, from drilling to decommissioning. We operate the world's premier fleet of work class ROVs. Additionally, we are a leader in offshore oilfield maintenance services, umbilicals, subsea hardware, and tooling. We also use applied technology expertise to serve the defense, material handling, aerospace, science, and renewable energy industries.
Equal Opportunity Employer: 
All qualified candidates will receive consideration for all positions without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or other non-merit factor.
Oceaneering Aerospace and Defense Technologies (AdTech) delivers solutions that enable humans to work safely and effectively in harsh environments - from underwater to the outer reaches of space. Our innovative solutions support the development and application of practical, cost-effective systems that meet our customers' challenges - from routine to extreme. Our experience and expertise across multiple industries uniquely positions us as a leader in the government, space, and maritime services markets. Our products and services meet the rigorous demands of the complex environments in which they operate, delivering results without compromising safety or reliability.

ESSENTIAL:

  • BS Degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering or related technical field.

  • Commensurate experience will be considered.

  • 5+ years of practical experience in software engineering.

  • Experience with one or more of the following programming languages REACT, C, C++, or C#. 

  • Solid written and oral communications skills, including ability to effectively document, convey, and present engineering concepts and products to team members and customers.

  • Ability to obtain and maintain a United States Government Department of Defense Security Clearance.

  • Must be a US citizen.

PREFERRED:

  • Experience developing in underwater vehicle or robotic software frameworks and expanding framework capabilities.

  • Experience working on Department of Defense software efforts.

  • Experience with microservices based architectures utilizing containerization and orchestration.

  • Experience with UI/UX design.

  • Experience with Linux OS or bare metal firmware.

  • Experience with microprocessors and single-board computer (SBC) based control systems that interface to sensors and hardware (e.g. cameras, navigation sensors, valve packs, other boards). 

  • Ability to implement and debug communication protocols including: UDP and multicast, TCP, serial protocols, SPI, I2C, CAN, etc.

  • Experience with Jira and Git.

  • Ability to setup simple bench testing environments for communication links, board power, analog devices, etc. 

  • Proficiency using lab measurement devices such as oscilloscopes or multimeters.

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. Employee benefits vary by role, however, may include Health and Wellness, Mental Health, Retirement Savings, Life and Disability, Paid Maternity and Parental Leave, Paid Time Off, Tuition Reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program.

Compensation $118,600.00 - $177,800.00

  • Apply working knowledge of software lifecycle to develop and begin leading software efforts.

  • Implement decisions for designing and maintaining software architecture.

  • Actively interface with other engineering leads, program managers and external customers.

  • Key contributor to creation, maintenance and acceptance of project CDRL's.  This includes requirements management, software documentation, unit testing, software safety testing, and software qualification testing.  

  • Contribute to trade studies for hardware such as navigation units, board stacks, and power monitors. 

  • Support software testing on the factory floor, offsite, and offshore.

  • Perform analysis of user requirements, concept of operations documents, and high-level system architectures to develop system requirements specifications.

  • Guide system development and implementation planning through preparation of concept of operations, interfaces control documents, hazard analysis, and test plans and procedures.

  • Displays excellent technical judgment, attention to detail, and ability to look at the "big picture" in system design.

  • Demonstrates ability to devise innovative solutions to problems when conventional solutions are insufficient.

  • Prepares reports and presents results to management and client.

  • Schedules can be demanding throughout the year and occasional work outside normal working hours should be anticipated.

  • Mentorship of junior team members.

ADDITIONAL
Additional duties as assigned.


 



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