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Senior Lwd Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Cnpc Usa Corporation

Sr. Firmware Engineer

Katy, TX · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

Job Summary: CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to lead the ... Define and own the firmware architecture for MWD/LWD tools -- including high-speed mud pulse ...

Cnpc Usa Corporation

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

Katy, TX · On-site

$90K - $119K/yr

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical design and development of MWD/LWD downhole tools, with an initial primary focus on high-speed mud pulse ...

Terracon

Senior Pavement Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

General Responsibilities We are seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Pavement Engineer to ... Evaluate complex laboratory and field data (e.g., FWD/HWD, GPR, coring, DCP, LWD) for analysis ...

TERRACON

Senior Pavement Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$103K - $142K/yr

We are seeking a motivated and experienced Senior Pavement Engineer to support and lead pavement ... Evaluate complex laboratory and field data (e.g., FWD/HWD, GPR, coring, DCP, LWD) for analysis ...

Cnpc Usa Corporation

Sr. Well Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$101K - $139K/yr

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Well Engineer with deep, hands-on North American ... Strong understanding of drilling optimization, geosteering, casing and cementing, MWD/LWD, and ...

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Senior Lwd Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior lwd engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior lwd engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Senior LWD Engineer?

Senior LWD (Logging While Drilling) Engineers are experienced professionals in the oil and gas industry who specialize in gathering downhole data while drilling wells. They operate sophisticated tools and sensors attached to drilling assemblies to collect real-time geological and petrophysical information. Their expertise helps optimize drilling operations, ensure wellbore stability, and improve reservoir evaluation. Senior LWD Engineers also interpret data, troubleshoot equipment, and often supervise junior staff and coordinate with drilling and geology teams. Their role is critical in making informed decisions that enhance drilling efficiency and safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior LWD Engineer?

To thrive as a Senior LWD (Logging While Drilling) Engineer, you need a strong background in petroleum engineering, geology, and real-time drilling operations, often supported by a relevant engineering degree and extensive field experience. Proficiency with LWD tools, downhole sensors, data acquisition systems, and software for interpreting formation evaluation data is crucial. Strong problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills help coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and make critical decisions under pressure. These skills ensure accurate data collection, safe drilling operations, and optimal well placement, directly impacting project success and safety.

What are the most common challenges faced by Senior LWD Engineers when working on remote drilling sites?

Senior LWD (Logging While Drilling) Engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable downhole conditions, equipment reliability issues, and the necessity to quickly interpret real-time data to support drilling decisions. Working on remote sites can also mean limited immediate access to specialized support or replacement parts, requiring strong problem-solving skills and adaptability. Effective communication with the drilling team and other engineers is essential to ensure safety and data integrity, especially when coordinating across shifts or with offsite experts.

What is the difference between Senior Lwd Engineer vs Structural Engineer?

AspectSenior Lwd EngineerStructural Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Civil or Structural Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Civil or Structural Engineering, PE license typically required
Work EnvironmentDesigning and analyzing retaining walls, earthworks, and foundation systems in construction projectsDesigning, analyzing, and inspecting building and infrastructure structures
Industry UsageConstruction, geotechnical, and civil engineering firmsArchitectural firms, construction companies, consulting engineering firms

Senior Lwd Engineers and Structural Engineers share similar educational backgrounds and licensing requirements. While Senior Lwd Engineers focus on retaining walls and earthworks, Structural Engineers work on a broader range of structures. Both roles are integral to civil engineering projects but differ in their specific focus areas.

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Senior Lwd Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Lwd Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Sr. Firmware Engineer

Cnpc Usa Corporation

Katy, TX • On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 6 hours ago

Job description

Location: Houston, Texas

Position status: Permanent

Exempt Status: Exempt


Company Profile:

CNPC USA is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and serves as the North American headquarters. Our mission is to drive innovation through advanced research and development of next-generation technologies for oil and gas exploration and production.


Job Summary:

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Firmware Engineer to lead the architecture, design, and development of embedded firmware for MWD/LWD downhole tools, with a primary focus on high-speed mud pulse telemetry (MPT) and MWD system integration. This position is a key technical role responsible for end-to-end firmware architecture, real-time signal processing, telemetry encoding and decoding, sensor and measurement integration, power management, and system-level performance across the downhole-to-surface data chain.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing high-speed mud pulser systems and other MWD/LWD products, combined with a strong systems and architecture perspective spanning firmware, electronics, sensors, and telemetry encoding and decoding. This role will drive technology from concept and architecture definition through field deployment and commercialization, and will help establish firmware standards and design practices for the broader downhole product portfolio.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Define and own the firmware architecture for MWD/LWD tools — including high-speed mud pulse telemetry — from system requirements through implementation, qualification, and field release.
  • Design and optimize high-speed mud pulse telemetry schemes, including pulser generation and control, modulation/encoding, power-efficiency optimization, and surface decoding algorithms.
  • Develop, test, and debug embedded firmware in C/C++ for microcontroller, microprocessor, or DSP-based downhole measurement and telemetry systems. Architect firmware-to-hardware and firmware-to-sensor interfaces, defining data flow, timing, synchronization, and communication protocols across subsystems.
  • Develop signal-processing and noise-mitigation algorithms for telemetry, vibration, and sensor data in harsh, high-noise downhole environments.
  • Take a system-level view across firmware, electronics, mechanical, and surface software to ensure end-to-end tool performance, data integrity, and reliability. Work closely with electronics, mechanical, test, operations, and field teams to improve tool reliability and field performance.
  • Lead firmware integration, troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, performance optimization, verification, qualification, and reliability testing of embedded telemetry systems, including hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and environmental testing
  • Support field deployment and product sustainment by investigating and resolving firmware, telemetry, sensor, and electronics issues to ensure reliable system performance.
  • Establish firmware development standards, coding practices, version control, and design documentation for the downhole engineering team.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced firmware and electronics engineers.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Embedded Systems, or a related discipline; Master’s degree or above is preferred.
  • 8+ years of embedded firmware development experience, with demonstrated experience at a lead or principal level.
  • Direct, hands-on experience developing high-speed mud pulse telemetry (MWD) systems and other MWD/LWD products.
  • Strong system and architecture perspective, with a proven ability to define firmware architecture and interfaces spanning firmware, electronics, sensors, and surface software. Familiar with various electronic communication Bus systems and implementations.
  • Expert-level embedded firmware development in C/C++ for MCU, MPU, or DSP-based real-time systems.
  • Solid understanding of hardware-software integration, including sensor interfaces, communication interfaces, and timing/synchronization.
  • Proficiency with laboratory and debug tools such as oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, emulators/debuggers, and automated or HIL test methods.
  • Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis capability for mixed firmware/hardware systems.


Preferred Experience:

  • Deep experience with mud-pulse telemetry (positive, negative, or continuous-wave/siren pulsers), especially, with high-data-rate downhole telemetry.
  • Experience with EM telemetry, short-hop, directional drilling tools, downhole sensors, and MWD/LWD measurement systems.
  • Strong background in real-time signal processing, digital communications/telemetry, modulation and encoding, and algorithm development.
  • Familiarity with high-temperature electronics, shock/vibration survivability, and pressure-compensated or sealed downhole systems.
  • Experience defining firmware architecture and standards across a product portfolio.
  • Experience with surface decoding software and optimization of the downhole-to-surface data chain.
  • Experience with manufacturing test systems, qualification testing, and product commercialization.
  • Prior experience supporting both new product development and sustaining engineering for deployed tools.


Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.


Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is a sedentary role; however, some filing, bending, and the ability to lift 20 lbs are required.


Travel:

This position requires some overnight international and domestic travel. Local travel between other CNPC USA locations and testing facilities is required.


Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities; however, it serves as a technical lead, mentor, and point of contact for less-experienced engineers.


CNPC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.


Disclaimer: The job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.