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Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Specialized experience is defined as performing professional principles, concepts, practices, and methodologies of chemistry, chemical engineering or petroleum engineering to anticipate the effects ...

Conduct fuels infrastructure analysis of petroleum, natural gas, and coal systems, including DFSPs ... Prepare engineering reports detailing analyses, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for ...

Fuels Engineer

Fredericksburg, VA · Hybrid

$105K - $115K/yr

Conduct fuels infrastructure analysis of petroleum, natural gas, and coal systems, including DFSPs ... Prepare engineering reports detailing analyses, vulnerabilities, and recommendations for ...

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Showing results 1-20

Petroleum Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$41.6K

$79.3K

$134.8K

How much do petroleum engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for petroleum engineer in Virginia is $79,339.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,600.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a petroleum engineer do?

Petroleum Engineers design ways to extract materials from Earth to boost energy production. They utilize a variety of methods and technologies to devise ways to gather petroleum, oil, and gas, and determine the most cost efficient method of extracting these materials. Petroleum Engineers travel across the planet to develop oil and gas reserves where no one has drilled before. Petroleum Engineers can follow a few different specialities such as Drilling, Production, and Resevoir Engineer.

What does a petroleum engineer do?

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the earth’s surface. They work with geologists and other specialists to locate reservoirs, evaluate production potential, and determine the best drilling and recovery techniques. Their responsibilities may include overseeing drilling operations, optimizing production, ensuring safety standards, and minimizing environmental impact. Petroleum engineers also use advanced technologies and data analysis to improve extraction efficiency and manage costs. Their work is critical in meeting global energy needs and advancing sustainable practices in the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a petroleum engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Petroleum Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, geology, and mathematics, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Petrel, Eclipse, and reservoir simulation tools, as well as certifications like Professional Engineer (PE), are often required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills help professionals excel in interdisciplinary project environments. These competencies are essential for efficiently designing, developing, and optimizing extraction processes in a safe and cost-effective manner.

What are some typical challenges petroleum engineers face when working on drilling projects, and how are they addressed?

Petroleum engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable geological formations, equipment failures, and environmental regulations when working on drilling projects. To address these issues, they collaborate closely with geologists, drilling crews, and safety specialists to adapt drilling plans, utilize advanced monitoring technology, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental guidelines. Regular communication with multidisciplinary teams and continuous on-site troubleshooting are essential for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring project success.

What is the difference between Petroleum Engineer vs Reservoir Engineer?

AspectPetroleum EngineerReservoir Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related fieldBachelor's degree in petroleum engineering, reservoir engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentOil and gas extraction sites, officesReservoir simulation labs, field sites, offices
Industry UsageDesigning extraction methods, optimizing productionEstimating reserves, modeling reservoir performance
Common Search IntentPetroleum Engineer vs Reservoir Engineer

Petroleum Engineers focus on designing and implementing methods to extract oil and gas efficiently, while Reservoir Engineers analyze subsurface reservoirs to estimate reserves and optimize recovery. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work closely in the oil and gas industry, but their primary responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

Do petroleum engineers get paid well?

Petroleum engineers typically earn high salaries due to the technical expertise and specialized knowledge required in the oil and gas industry. Their compensation often includes base pay, bonuses, and benefits, reflecting the industry's demand for skilled professionals and the challenging work environment.

What are the jobs of a petroleum engineer?

Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from underground reservoirs. They analyze geological data, develop drilling plans, and oversee production operations, often using specialized software and equipment. The role requires technical knowledge, problem-solving skills, and safety awareness in the field and office environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Petroleum Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Petroleum Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Petroleum Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Petroleum Engineer jobs in VA?

For Petroleum Engineer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Petroleum Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,339 per year, or $38.1 per hour.

CHEMIST (PETROLEUM)

Fort Belvoir, VA


US Department of the Navy
National Security • 10K+ employees

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 380 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

42nd of 49 rated military and defense

People enjoy working here

Paid breaks

Respectful managers


$102K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Chemist in the Quality Division of the Naval Petroleum Office of NPO FORT BELVOIR.Qualifications:For GS-13:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as performing professional principles, concepts, practices, and methodologies of chemistry, chemical engineering or petroleum engineering to anticipate the effects of changes to petroleum product specifications, standards and test methods to document the effects of the changes on the behavior of the products in the operational use/storage. Examples of specialized experience must include: 1) Provide supply logistics support to assist in the operational and policy decisions in the procurement, transportation, storage, delivery, and use of fuels and lubricants; 2) Provide support to other personnel concerning technical and quality-related aspects of petroleum; 3) Evaluate and advise the procurement activity of the technical acceptability of alternate or equal bids, contract specification requirements, or contractor wavier requests relating to the petroleum products or test methods offered by the contractor; 4) Assist in establishing guidelines for petroleum testing laboratories to perform analytical research to ensure the nature and degree of contamination and/or deterioration of fuels and lubricants being received or stored; and 5) Experience of the fuel and lubricant systems for boilers, gas turbines and diesels, POL storage and handling on ships, aircraft and shore stations to serve the operating forces (ships/aircraft/shore facilities) with proper quality fuels/lubricants throughout the DOD logistics System.
For GS-12:
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-11 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience is defined as performing professional principles, concepts, practices, and methodologies of chemistry, chemical engineering or petroleum engineering to anticipate the effects of changes to petroleum product specifications, standards and test methods to include technical and business practices/procedures of the petroleum industry. Examples of specialized experience must include: 1) Document the effects of the changes on the behavior of the petroleum products in use or storage; 2) Utilize statistical analysis to determine the validity of test methods through the analysis of test results; 3) Provide costs and other analyses to procurement and research; 4) Experience of the fuel and lubricant systems for boilers, gas turbines and diesels, POL storage and handling on ships, aircraft and shore stations to serve the operating forces (ships/aircraft/shore facilities) with proper quality fuels/lubricants throughout the DOD logistics system.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
Chemistry Series, 1320 (opm.gov)
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (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.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must possess:
  1. Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.

    or

  2. Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
    A transcript is required and must be submitted with your application.

Employment Type: OTHER

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