1

Senior Petroleum Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Petroleum Engineer

Houston, TX ยท Hybrid

$121K - $236K/yr

Description The Petroleum Engineer partners and interacts with the Senior Petroleum Engineer and the Energy Team's Relationship Managers (RMs), Portfolio Managers (PMs) and Credit Officers, and is ...

Petroleum Engineer

Houston, TX ยท Hybrid

$121K - $236K/yr

Description The Petroleum Engineer partners and interacts with the Senior Petroleum Engineer and the Energy Team's Relationship Managers (RMs), Portfolio Managers (PMs) and Credit Officers, and is ...

Petroleum Engineer

Houston, TX ยท On-site

$121K - $236K/yr

The Petroleum Engineer partners and interacts with the Senior Petroleum Engineer and the Energy Team's Relationship Managers (RMs), Portfolio Managers (PMs) and Credit Officers, and is responsible ...

Petroleum Engineer

Houston, TX ยท Hybrid

$121K - $236K/yr

The Petroleum Engineer partners and interacts with the Senior Petroleum Engineer and the Energy Team's Relationship Managers (RMs), Portfolio Managers (PMs) and Credit Officers, and is responsible ...

Senior Consultant. We seek Petroleum Engineer | Technical Due Diligence & Engineering Validation For Upstream Oil & Gas (Exploration / Production) [DOE0085085] candidates with relevant Energy ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Senior Petroleum Engineer information

See salary details

$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior petroleum engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior petroleum 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior Petroleum Engineers can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and working in high-cost-of-living regions. Compensation often includes bonuses and benefits, reflecting the demanding nature of the role in the oil and gas industry.

What engineers make $500,000 a year?

Senior Petroleum Engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills in reservoir modeling, and leadership roles in the oil and gas industry. High compensation often includes bonuses, profit sharing, and other incentives, particularly in large companies or during periods of high commodity prices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Petroleum Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Petroleum Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in reservoir engineering, drilling operations, and production optimization, typically supported by a bachelor's or master's degree in petroleum engineering and several years of industry experience. Proficiency with specialized software such as Petrel, Eclipse, and well simulation tools, along with relevant certifications like PE licensure, is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, leadership, and effective communication are vital soft skills for coordinating multidisciplinary teams and driving project success. These skills ensure efficient resource extraction, cost-effective operations, and adherence to safety and environmental standards.

What is the highest paying petroleum engineering?

Senior petroleum engineers typically earn the highest salaries within the field, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications. Salaries can vary based on location, company, and project complexity, with top earners often working in offshore or high-demand regions and utilizing advanced reservoir modeling and drilling technologies.

What are some common challenges Senior Petroleum Engineers face when managing multidisciplinary teams on drilling projects?

Senior Petroleum Engineers often oversee projects that require close collaboration with geologists, drilling engineers, and production specialists. One common challenge is ensuring effective communication across these diverse disciplines, as each brings a unique perspective and set of priorities. Balancing technical recommendations with project timelines and budget constraints can also be demanding. Successful Senior Petroleum Engineers leverage strong leadership and project management skills to align team goals, resolve conflicts, and maintain safety and regulatory compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the difference between Senior Petroleum Engineer vs Petroleum Engineer?

AspectSenior Petroleum EngineerPetroleum Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related field; 5+ years experience; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentDesigning and overseeing drilling, production, and reservoir management; leading projectsAssisting in drilling operations, data analysis, and field support
Employer & Industry UsageOil and gas companies, engineering firms, energy sectorOil and gas companies, consulting firms, exploration firms

The main difference between a Senior Petroleum Engineer and a Petroleum Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and leadership. Senior Petroleum Engineers typically have more years of experience, hold advanced certifications, and lead projects, while Petroleum Engineers are often in the early to mid-career stage focusing on technical tasks and support roles.

Can you make $200,000 a year as a mechanical engineer?

Senior petroleum engineers can potentially earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and working in high-cost-of-living regions or specialized roles. Mechanical engineers typically have lower average salaries, but senior positions with specialized skills or managerial responsibilities can approach or exceed this level in certain industries or locations.

What does a Senior Petroleum Engineer do?

A Senior Petroleum Engineer is responsible for designing and overseeing processes to extract oil and gas from underground reservoirs efficiently and safely. They evaluate drilling and production methods, select appropriate equipment, and work closely with geologists and other engineers to optimize resource recovery. Additionally, they analyze production data, troubleshoot operational issues, and implement new technologies to maximize output while minimizing environmental impact. Senior Petroleum Engineers often lead teams and mentor junior staff, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
More about Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Petroleum Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Petroleum Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Petroleum Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Petroleum Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 75% In-person, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.
Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Citizens

Houston, TX โ€ข Hybrid

$121K - $236K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Description

The Petroleum Engineer partners and interacts with the Senior Petroleum Engineer and the Energy Team's Relationship Managers (RMs), Portfolio Managers (PMs) and Credit Officers, and is responsible for the technical evaluation of oil and gas assets.

The successful incumbent has strong interpersonal, business skills, and excellent verbal and written communication skills, skilled in collecting and analyzing complex data and possesses excellent listening and problem-solving skills, work independently and collaboratively, while building strategic relations with colleagues and constituents.

Primary responsibilities include but will not be limited to:

Reserve Based Lending (RBL) Valuations:

  • Conducting thorough due diligence activities with the client and Agent Bank technical teams to confirm the use of prudent assumptions in the projections including an assessment of past performance, industry trends, and in-basin peer performance.
  • Obtaining data for engineering evaluation from customer's engineering and financial personnel, using engineering expertise to analyze data provided by customers to determine validity and accuracy of information, while using accepted petroleum engineering methods to arrive at oil and gas reserve estimates.
  • Preparing memos that summarize the results of the evaluation including risk assessment, quality of customer's technical staff and grading of collateral characteristics.
  • Communicating to the loan committee the RBL results and risk assessment of the engineering evaluation of oil and gas properties, to ensure all pertinent aspects of the collateral are known and understood.
  • For Agented deals, assisting clients in preparing engineering information for syndication purposes and interfacing with prospective participating bank engineers and bankers to assist in their internal reserve analysis.

Marketing and New Business:

  • Assisting in marketing efforts by making outside calls with Relationship Managers (RM's) with an emphasis on potential customers where technical knowledge will help generate new business.
  • Screening potential new loans for viability.

Training and Collaboration:

  • Collaborating with the Senior Petroleum Engineer, RM's, PM's and Credit Officers on the RBL valuation process, inherent risks and value determination methods and provideย input to the periodic assessment of Bank commodity price assumptions used for the determination of loan values.
  • Initiating recommendations to improve the efficiency of engineering software and hardware.
  • Participating in presentations to leadership, Credit Officers and other bank groups as needed.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

  • 5-7 years of relevant experience in reserve evaluation and risk assessment in the Energy Industry
  • Proficient in Aries for Windows, PHDWin, Microsoft Office
  • Evidence of strong business judgment, communication, leadership and integrityย 
  • Financial Industry background is preferred

Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Petroleum Engineering or related degree

To thrive as a colleague at Citizens, candidates must demonstrate a strong customer-centric mindset, exhibit persistence and resilience in the face of challenges, and embrace continuous learning to adapt and grow in a dynamic environment.

Hours and Work Schedule: (4 days in office, 1 day remote)

Hours per Week: 40

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday

Work Location: Houston, TX

ย Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $121,720 - $236,280 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the budget, work location, and relevant skills and experience.

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens' paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visitย https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefitsย .

Citizens will not sponsor an applicant for a work visa, such as an H-1B, for this position.

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague's or a dependent's reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

Education:Why Work for UsEmployment Type: 1ST