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Senior Petroleum Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Diamondbackenergy

Senior Reservoir Engineer

Midland, TX · On-site

The Senior Reservoir Engineer is a recognized technical authority responsible for leading advanced ... Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or a related engineering discipline. * 10+ years of ...

Aramco

Petroleum Engineering Specialist

Houston, TX · On-site

Provides expert technical advice and guidance in either a broad or specialized area of petroleum ... The Engineering Advisor, Senior Engineering Advisor and Engineering Consultant positions provide ...

Devon Energy

Senior Completions Engineer

Oklahoma City, OK · On-site

$97K - $133K/yr

SPE's Petroleum Engineering Certification(preferred) Competencies: Stakeholder Relationships Oral & Written Communication Results Oriented Active Learning Digital Literacy Skills: Documentation ...

Bridgestone

Process Engineer

Lake Charles, LA · On-site

The ideal candidate would have a Chemical, Polymer, or Petroleum Engineering background with strong ... senior management * Work effectively with operations and production personnel, maintenance teams ...

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Senior Petroleum Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior petroleum engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 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 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 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.

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:
What job categories do people searching Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs are:
Senior Petroleum Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Petroleum Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Petroleum Engineer

US Department of the Interior

Jefferson, LA

$122K/yr

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

U.S. Department Of The Interior rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

413th of 844 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

You will serve as a Petroleum Engineer with Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. You will serve as a senior advisor and Subject Matter Expert in the analysis, processing, and interpretation of oil and gas production data.

Salary Range Information (Per Annum): $122,749 (Step 1) to $159,575 (Step 10)
First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the step 1 rate.

Qualifications:All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement - 08/17/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement. Competitive candidates must also meet Time-in-Grade requirements as defined in 5 CFR 300, Subpart F.
For current Federal employees, if hours worked per week are not included on your resume, you must submit a non-award SF-50 as part of your application to be used to validate your work schedule and determine the amount of specialized experience that you will be granted. An award SF-50 will not be acceptable documentation for which to consider your amount of qualifying experience. For periods of time that reflect military service, the DD-214 or Statement of Service is sufficient to meet the work schedule requirement as the service dates will be reflected. For all other applicants who are not current federal employees, your resume must state either "full-time" (or "40 hours a week") or "part-time" with the number of hours worked per week to ensure proper crediting of specialized experience.

Minimum Qualification Requirements: To qualify for this position, you must meet the following minimum qualifications: Basic Educational Requirement AND Specialized Experience for the series to which you are applying.

(1) Basic Educational Requirements:To be qualified for this position, you must meet either A or B below for the series to which you are applying. NOTE: This position requires specific educational coursework to qualify. You MUST provide transcripts (unofficial are acceptable) in order to verify that the educational requirements have been met. This information must be received by the closing date of the announcement. Failure to provide this information may result in you receiving an "INELIGIBLE" rating.A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.-OR-B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:

  1. Professional Registration or Licensure
  2. Written Test
  3. Specified Academic Courses
  4. Related Curriculum

For further information on the adequacy of such background, demonstrated by one of the above listed, are found in the link below: Petroleum Engineering Series 0881AND

(2) Specialized Experience

To qualify for the GS-13, you must possess at least one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience is defined as demonstrated experience:

1) Performing calculations to acquire meter factors and net standard volumes to identify errors on run tickets and proving reports.
2) Reviewing surface commingling, measurement, and allocation of production on complex production facilities in the Gulf of America for compliance with Subpart L of 30 CFR 250 and Regional policy.
3) Planning, directing, and conducting engineering studies to ensure the accurate measurement of royalties by lessees and/or operators.
4) Analyzing hydrocarbon measurement-specific data, including Facility Measurement Points (FMPs), meters, tanks, proving reports, run tickets, gas volume statements, and OGORs.

Must Meet All

Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (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. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:This position does not allow substituting education for experience.
This position has a mandatory education requirement.
You must submit a copy of your transcript(s) to support claimed education if substituting education for experience. Transcripts must include your name, school name, grades, credit hours earned, major(s), grade point average or class ranking, and date the degree was conferred, if applicable. A typed list of courses, grades, semester/quarter hours, GPA, etc. will not be accepted. Non-submission may result in being rated not qualified for the position. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but if you are selected for this position and you used your education to qualify, you must provide official transcripts before you begin work.
Foreign Education: To receive credit for education completed outside the United States, you must show proof that the education has been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualificationsEmployment Type: OTHER

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