ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Rig Engineer Jobs in Alabama (NOW HIRING)

Starfish

Mid-Level Software Engineer

Huntsville, AL

Our team provides superior research, development, and engineering services to the Federal Government and Department of War. As one of the nation's top 100 defense companies, the services we provide ...

Thompson Engineering

Driller Assistant

Mobile, AL

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

Thompson Engineering is looking for a Driller Assistant, willing to travel, but based in our Mobile ... drill rig equipment 2. Responsible for loading and unloading drilling equipment in and out of the ...

Thompson Engineering

Driller Assistant

Mobile, AL

$18.75 - $25.50/hr

Thompson Engineering is looking for a Driller Assistant, willing to travel, but based in our Mobile ... drill rig equipment 2. Responsible for loading and unloading drilling equipment in and out of the ...

THREE NOTCH GROUP INC

Driller Assistant

Andalusia, AL · On-site

At Three Notch Group, we are a leading civil engineering firm with over 75 years of experience ... These field activities include, but are not limited to, drill rig operations, groundwater sampling ...

Amentum

CNC Programmer/Machinist (ET5)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$26 - $35.75/hr

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) CNC Programmer/Machinist will program and operate CNC ... Operate cranes and rig loads. * Operate forklifts. The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED ...

Amentum

CNC Programmer/Machinist (ET5)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$26 - $35.75/hr

The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED) CNC Programmer/Machinist will program and operate CNC ... Operate cranes and rig loads. * Operate forklifts. The Amentum Space Exploration Division (ASED ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsRig Engineer JobsRig Engineer Jobs in Alabama

Rig Engineer information

See Alabama salary details

$53.9K

$101.2K

$184K

How much do rig engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for rig engineer in Alabama is $101,182.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $120,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a rig engineer?

Rig engineers are professionals responsible for overseeing the technical operations and safety of drilling rigs, typically in the oil and gas industry. They manage drilling activities, coordinate with crew members, and ensure that projects are completed efficiently and safely. Rig engineers also troubleshoot mechanical and engineering issues on-site, supervise maintenance, and ensure compliance with environmental and industry regulations. Their work is critical in optimizing drilling performance and minimizing downtime.

What are some common challenges faced by rig engineers when working on offshore drilling projects?

Rig engineers working offshore often encounter challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing weather conditions, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams in remote environments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Communication is crucial, as effective collaboration with drilling crews, geologists, and onshore support teams is necessary to address technical issues promptly. Additionally, managing equipment reliability and responding quickly to unexpected operational problems are key aspects of the role.

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

To thrive as a Rig Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical, civil, or petroleum engineering, typically with a relevant engineering degree and experience in drilling operations. Familiarity with drilling software, well control systems, and safety certifications such as IWCF or IADC Well Control is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure safe, efficient drilling operations and effective coordination among multidisciplinary teams on site.

What is the difference between Rig Engineer vs Drilling Engineer?

AspectRig EngineerDrilling Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, certifications in drilling and safetyEngineering degree, specialized in drilling design and operations
Work EnvironmentOn rig sites, overseeing equipment and operationsOffice-based, planning and designing drilling programs
Industry UsageCommonly employed on offshore and onshore rigsFocuses on drilling process planning and optimization

While both roles require engineering backgrounds and involve offshore or onshore drilling operations, Rig Engineers primarily oversee the equipment and day-to-day rig activities, whereas Drilling Engineers focus on designing and planning the drilling process. Both are essential in the drilling industry but serve different functions within the project lifecycle.

How much do rig engineers make?

Rig engineers typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of the drilling operations. Senior rig engineers or those working offshore may earn higher salaries and additional benefits. Certifications and specialized skills can also influence compensation levels.

What does a rig engineer do on a rig?

A rig engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and troubleshooting the equipment and systems used on drilling rigs. They ensure the safe and efficient operation of the rig's mechanical and hydraulic systems, often working closely with drilling crews and adhering to safety standards. Their role requires technical knowledge of rig machinery, certifications, and the ability to respond quickly to operational issues.

What are popular job titles related to Rig Engineer jobs in Alabama?

For Rig Engineer jobs in Alabama, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Rig Engineer jobs in Alabama look for?

The top searched job categories for Rig Engineer jobs in Alabama are:

Rig Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Rig Engineer job openings in Alabama as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $101,182 per year, or $48.6 per hour.

Staff Engineer (EIT) -- Tuscaloosa, AL

Tuscaloosa, AL • On-site

Construction Material Testing
Civil Engineering Construction • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about Construction Material Testingexternal

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Staff engineers get the full exposure this industry can offer: geotechnical investigations, materials testing programs, forensic assignments, and report writing under the supervision of licensed professional engineers. You will see the ground truth behind design assumptions on projects from building pads to heavy industrial programs.

Responsibilities:
  • Plan and observe drilling and field testing programs;
  • Reduce and review laboratory data;
  • draft geotechnical and materials reports;
  • Support forensic investigations, coring programs, and distress evaluations;
  • Coordinate field crews and laboratory scheduling on assigned projects;
  • Progress toward PE licensure with mentorship and exam support.
Qualifications:
  • BS in Civil Engineering or related;
  • EIT certificate or exam scheduled;
  • Field-willing: real projects, real dirt, real weather;
  • Clear technical writing;
  • Interest in geotechnical, materials, or forensic practice.
What a week in this job looks like:

One week you are logging borings behind a drill rig and hand‑classifying samples; the next you are reducing consolidation data, drafting a geotechnical report, or standing on a distressed slab with a senior engineer working out why it moved. Staff engineers here rotate through geotechnical investigation, materials programs, and forensic assignments deliberately, because engineers who have touched all three make better calls for the rest of their careers. You will write constantly, and your writing will be edited hard by licensed engineers who care that a recommendation says exactly what the data supports, no more and no less. There is also the unglamorous middle of engineering that no classroom teaches: coordinating a drill crew and a landowner, chasing a utility locate, deciding whether a boring can shift ten feet without breaking the investigation. You will learn to make those calls, document them, and move.

Licensure, mentorship, and where this leads:

This role is built around your path to the PE. You work under licensed professional engineers who review your work and sign what you grow into, your experience record is structured with licensure in mind, and exam support is part of the deal. EIT certification in hand or an exam date scheduled is where we expect you to start. From licensure the paths open: project engineer on geotechnical programs, materials engineering and laboratory direction, or the forensic practice, where engineering judgment meets evidence and occasionally a courtroom.

Pay, schedule, and travel:

Salary runs $85,000 to $115,000 depending on experience and progress toward licensure. The schedule mixes office and field unevenly, drilling programs and big pours do not respect calendars, but field time is the point at this stage, not a burden. Texas-based engineers work from the Sugar Land hub across active programs; project deployments to major industrial sites are defined‑scope assignments with terms set before travel, and they are the fastest experience accumulator this industry offers.

Safety, quality, and the standards we work under:

You will work inside a documented quality system, on active construction sites and drill rigs, with the training, PPE, and pre-task discipline that implies. Report review is layered and real: data, analysis, and language all get checked before anything carries the company's name. You will also learn the professional side of caution early, what a recommendation commits, what a seal means, and why the engineers you respect say less and support it better.

How hiring works, and our commitment:

Expect a technical conversation with a licensed engineer, not a personality quiz, and a clear offer. The role requires field capability on construction sites and drilling operations, a valid driver's license, and pre-employment screening consistent with jobsite requirements. We are an equal opportunity employer and consider every applicant without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Apply