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Oil Rig Helper Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Oil Rig Helper information

See Michigan salary details

$9

$15

$20

How much do oil rig helper jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for oil rig helper in Michigan is $15.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.55 and $15.91 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an oil rig helper?

Oil Rig Helpers, also known as roustabouts or floorhands, are entry-level workers on oil rigs who assist with the maintenance, repair, and general operation of drilling equipment and facilities. Their tasks may include cleaning and preparing the rig, handling materials and supplies, assembling or repairing equipment, and supporting more experienced crew members. Oil Rig Helpers play a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficiency of drilling operations and often work long shifts in challenging environments. This position is often a starting point for those wishing to advance in the oil and gas industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as an oil rig helper?

To thrive as an Oil Rig Helper, you generally need physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with basic hand and power tools, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safety certifications such as H2S awareness or first aid are typically required. Strong teamwork, attention to detail, and the ability to follow safety protocols are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are important to ensure safe, efficient operations and to minimize risks in a demanding and hazardous environment.

What are some common challenges oil rig helpers face during their shifts, and how can they prepare for them?

Oil Rig Helpers often work long hours in physically demanding and sometimes harsh outdoor environments. Common challenges include adapting to rotating shifts, maintaining safety standards in potentially hazardous conditions, and performing repetitive manual labor. To prepare, candidates should focus on building physical stamina, learning about industry safety protocols, and developing teamwork skills, as close collaboration with crew members is essential for both efficiency and safety on the rig.

How do you get into working on an oil rig?

To become an oil rig helper, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, physical fitness, and the ability to work in challenging environments. Entry-level positions often require on-the-job training, and obtaining safety certifications such as OSHA or BOSIET can improve job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Oil Rig jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Oil Rig jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Oil Rig Helper jobs in Michigan?

For Oil Rig Helper jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Oil Rig Helper jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Oil Rig Helper job openings:

Materials Engineer - Global Energy, Fluids & Lubricants (GEFL)

General Motors

Warren, MI

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


General Motors rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

General Motors

Based on 307 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Automakers average

Based on 6,309 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Job Description

At General Motors, our product teams are redefining mobility. Through a humancentered design process, we create vehicles and experiences that are designed not just to be seen, but to be felt. We're turning today's impossible into tomorrow's standard - from breakthrough hardware and battery systems to intuitive design, intelligent software, and next-generation safety and entertainment features. Every day, our products move millions of people as we aim to make driving safer, smarter, and more connected, shaping the future of transportation on a global scale.

The Role

A Materials Engineer - Global Energy, Fluids & Lubricants (GEFL) is responsible for the technical development, test method design, validation, approval, and issue resolution of fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids that support GM products, propulsion systems, and manufacturing operations, with a strong emphasis on test development and data analysis.

This individual contributor role supports technical leadership across one or more GEFL areas, including fuels, engine and driveline lubricants, EV/EDU fluids, coolants, hydraulic fluids, washer fluids, greases, and other specialty fluids. The role works crossfunctionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Validation, Service, Purchasing, suppliers, and regulatory partners to define requirements, deliver robust material and fluid solutions, and support product excellence across global programs.

This role is expected to operate as a key technical contributor, building depth in assigned GEFL areas and supporting standards, validation approaches, and technical decisions within an established direction.

What You'll Do (Responsibilities):
  • Develop and execute laboratory, bench, rig, and vehicle test methods for fuels, lubricants, and functional fluids to support GM vehicles, propulsion systems, and manufacturing processes
  • Contribute to defining material and fluid performance requirements, test plans, specifications, validation approaches, and approval criteria
  • Analyze test data, summarize results, and provide clear recommendations to project teams and leadership
  • Execute factory fill, service fill, and specialty fluid validation activities across global vehicle and propulsion programs under the guidance of senior engineers
  • Participate in design reviews, issue resolution, root cause investigations, and warranty prevention activities related to fuels, lubricants, and fluids, with a focus on structured test and datadriven approaches
  • Evaluate supplier technologies, formulations, and change requests using appropriate test methods to help ensure performance, quality, cost, timing, and compliance objectives are achieved
  • Partner with Engineering, Validation, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Legal, and Service teams to plan and interpret testing needed to implement robust fluid and lubricant solutions
  • Help develop and maintain technical standards, test methods, best practices, and lessons learned for GEFL test programs
  • Monitor industry, regulatory, and technology trends related to energy, fuels, lubricants, additives, and functional fluids and share relevant testing and validation implications with the team
  • Participate in technical discussions with suppliers, industry groups, standards bodies, and external partners as a GM technical representative, with support from senior GEFL specialists
Your Skills & Abilities (Required Qualifications)
  • Bachelor's degree in science or engineering
  • 3+ years' experience in fuels, lubricants, fluids, tribology, chemical systems, materials engineering, powertrain, electrification, or a related technical area
  • Demonstrated technical problemsolving skills and ability to work effectively across functions
  • Experience with test methods, validation processes, technical specifications, and datadriven decision making, including handson execution of tests and basic statistical data analysis
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fastpaced product development environment, while seeking guidance appropriately
  • Demonstrated ability to contribute to complex technical work with crossfunctional visibility and business impact
What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)
  • Advanced degree in science or engineering
  • 5+ years' experience with engine oils, transmission fluids, axle fluids, coolants, EV/EDU fluids, greases, washer fluids, fuels, or additive technologies
  • Experience with tribology, formulation, chemical compatibility, contamination control, durability, or failure analysis
  • Experience developing and executing dyno or bench validation testing including test method design, instrumentation, and data analysis using tools such as Excel, Python, Minitab, or similar
  • Knowledge of automotive standards, specifications, regulatory requirements, test development, and supplier approval processes
  • Experience contributing to crossfunctional technical initiatives or acting as a key technical contributor on complex issues
  • Exposure to external technical forums, standards organizations, or industry groups
Role Expectations
  • Develops strong technical depth in at least one major GEFL area and is recognized as a key technical contributor within the team
  • Leads welldefined technical work packages and supports more complex efforts with crossfunctional visibility and business impact
  • Executes established standards, validation strategies, and supplier technical decisions within their area of responsibility, and provides input into improvements
  • Serves as a key technical contact for issues in assigned areas, escalating appropriately to senior specialists when needed
  • Contributes to technical direction within GM through highquality analysis, documentation, and collaboration, with occasional external engagement as appropriate
Additional Information

This position is an individual contributor role within Materials Engineering and does not include direct people leadership responsibility. Success in this role requires strong technical depth, sound engineering judgment, collaboration across functions, and the ability to translate complex fuels, lubricants, and fluids topics into clear technical recommendations and business decisions.

#LI-KE2

GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as hybrid. This means the selected candidate is expected to report to a specific location at least 3 times a week {or other frequency dictated by their manager}. This job is not eligible for relocation benefits. Any relocation costs would be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

About GM

Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.

Why Join Us

We believe we all must make a choice every day - individually and collectively - to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.

Benefits Overview

From day one, we're looking out for your well-being-at work and at home-so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.

All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire.

Accommodations

General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.


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About General Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

General Motors is a company with global scale and capabilities, headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, with employees around the world. The company employs over 165,000 people, serves six continents, operates across 22 time zones, and has a diverse workforce speaking 75 languages1. GM’s vision is to drive the world forward by pioneering innovations that move and connect people to what matters. The company is working towards an all-electric future with its new Ultium Platform and is pushing transportation options beyond our wildest imaginations with autonomous vehicles. GM is also committed to becoming the most inclusive company in the world.

Industry

Transportation equipment manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Detroit, MI, US

Year founded

1908