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Top Drive Mechanic Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NABORS

Technical Manager (Top Drive)

Houston, TX

... top drives, automated catwalks, and iron roughnecks across Nabors capital equipment assets. This ... The manager provides technical direction and fleet-level governance for assigned mechanical and ...

NABORS

WTX - MECHANIC III

Odessa, TX

Installs, repairs and troubleshoots all aspects of various mechanical systems on the drilling rig, including the mud pumps, top drive and TM-80.. Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology ...

NABORS

ETX-FIELD.MECHANIC III

Tyler, TX

$23.50 - $32/hr

Installs, repairs and troubleshoots all aspects of various mechanical systems on the drilling rig, including the mud pumps, top drive and TM-80.. Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology ...

Nabors Industries Limited

ETX-FIELD.MECHANIC III

Tyler, TX · On-site

$23.50 - $32/hr

Installs, repairs and troubleshoots all aspects of various mechanical systems on the drilling rig, including the mud pumps, top drive and TM-80.. Responsibilities Ensures the regular preventative ...

NABORS

STX MECHANICAL TECHNICIAN

Alice, TX

Installs, repairs and troubleshoots all aspects of various mechanical systems on the drilling rig, including the mud pumps, top drive and TM-80.. Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology ...

Aerotek

Mechanic

Conroe, TX

$18 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mechanic Join a company that specializes in renting and manufacturing centrifuges for the oil and ... Experience in the oilfield industry or with directional tools/top drive is advantageous. Why Work ...

NABORS

FIELD TECHNICIAN III

Houston, TX

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

Mechanical, Electrical, Drilling Systems or Electronics. Language Skills - Must be fluent in ... Electrical systems integration, and troubleshooting of complete Top Drive, Catwalk and Hydraulic ...

Nabors Industries Limited

FIELD TECHNICIAN III

Houston, TX · On-site

$16.75 - $23/hr

Electrical systems integration, and troubleshooting of complete Top Drive, Catwalk and Hydraulic ... Mechanical, Electrical, Drilling Systems or Electronics. Language Skills - Must be fluent in ...

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Top Drive Mechanic information

See salary details

$12

$25

$37

How much do top drive mechanic jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for top drive mechanic in the United States is $25.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.95 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a top drive mechanic?

Top Drive Mechanics are specialized technicians responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing top drive systems on drilling rigs. These systems are critical for the modern drilling process because they provide rotational force to the drill string, improving efficiency and safety. Top Drive Mechanics ensure that all hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical components of the top drive function correctly, minimizing downtime and supporting safe drilling operations. They often work in challenging environments, such as oil rigs, both onshore and offshore.

What does a top drive mechanic do?

A Top Drive Mechanic is primarily responsible for inspecting, maintaining, and repairing top drive systems to ensure safe and efficient drilling operations. Daily duties often include conducting routine checks, troubleshooting mechanical and electrical issues, and performing preventive maintenance on the top drive and associated equipment. The role requires close collaboration with drilling supervisors, rig electricians, and other mechanics to coordinate maintenance schedules and address urgent repairs. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as minimizing downtime and ensuring safety standards are key priorities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a top drive mechanic?

To thrive as a Top Drive Mechanic, you need strong mechanical aptitude, hydraulic and electrical troubleshooting skills, and experience with drilling equipment, typically backed by relevant technical training or certification. Familiarity with tools such as PLC systems, hydraulic schematics, and diagnostic software is crucial for effective maintenance and repair. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and strong communication are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the safe, efficient operation of top drive systems, minimizing downtime and supporting overall rig productivity.

What is the difference between Top Drive Mechanic vs Drilling Equipment Technician?

AspectTop Drive MechanicDrilling Equipment Technician
CertificationsASE certifications, specialized training in top drive systemsSimilar certifications, including API certifications for drilling equipment
Work EnvironmentOffshore/onshore drilling rigs, maintenance shopsOffshore/onshore drilling sites, maintenance facilities
Job ResponsibilitiesMaintains and repairs top drive systems used in drilling operationsMaintains and repairs various drilling equipment, including top drives and other machinery

Both roles require technical skills in drilling equipment, with a focus on maintenance and repair. The Top Drive Mechanic specializes specifically in top drive systems, while the Drilling Equipment Technician handles a broader range of drilling machinery. Both positions are vital in drilling operations and often overlap in skills and work environments.

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Top Drive Mechanic jobs near you
Infographic showing various Top Drive Mechanic job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,283 per year, or $25.1 per hour.

Technical Manager (Top Drive)

Nabors Industries Limited

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago

Nabors Industries rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

59th of 87 rated oil and gas companies

Job description


The Technical Manager will lead the maintenance strategy, reliability improvement, asset integrity, and lifecycle management of top drives, automated catwalks, and iron roughnecks across Nabors capital equipment assets. This role ensures equipment reliability, supports strategic upgrades, and drives standardization of mechanical and electrical maintenance practices throughout the fleet. The manager provides technical direction and fleet-level governance for assigned mechanical and electrical systems while coordinating closely with maintenance execution, reliability engineering, and field support teams. Collaboration with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, and District Maintenance teams is essential to deliver solutions that enhance safety, reduce downtime, and maximize asset value.
Responsibilities
Equipment Ownership
  • Serve as the technical authority for top drives, automated catwalks, iron roughnecks, and associated mechanical/electrical systems across the Nabors fleet.
  • Develop maintenance standards, inspection criteria, and lifecycle management strategies for assigned equipment categories.
  • Support equipment standardization, modernization, and fleet-wide deployment initiatives.
  • Coordinate major overhaul programs and reliability improvement efforts.
  • Provide technical guidance for equipment selection, upgrades, and component qualification.

Reliability and Asset Integrity
  • Develop and implement reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) strategies for assigned equipment categories.
  • Establish fleet reliability KPIs and performance metrics for top drives, catwalks, iron roughnecks, and related systems.
  • Monitor equipment performance trends and identify opportunities to improve uptime and reduce maintenance costs.
  • Support condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and asset integrity initiatives.
  • Lead root cause failure analysis (RCFA) investigations and drive implementation of corrective actions.
  • Promote continuous improvement focused on reducing NPT and total cost of ownership.

Maintenance Standards and Governance
  • Develop and maintain maintenance procedures, inspection requirements, and technical standards.
  • Establish best practices for maintenance execution and equipment care across district operations.
  • Ensure maintenance practices support HSE expectations, equipment integrity, OEM recommendations, and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Support audits, equipment certifications, and compliance requirements.
  • Ensure lessons learned and failure analyses are incorporated into fleet maintenance standards.
  • Drive consistency and standardization across all assigned equipment systems.

Upgrade and Modernization Projects
  • Lead upgrade and modernization projects related to top drives, catwalks, iron roughnecks, and associated control systems.
  • Coordinate engineering, procurement, installation, and commissioning activities with internal teams and external vendors.
  • Support engineering evaluations and component selection for new technologies and equipment enhancements.
  • Coordinate field trials and validation programs before fleet-wide deployment.
  • Validate performance improvements and support implementation of proven solutions across the fleet.

Inventory and Spare Parts Strategy
  • Develop and maintain recommended inventory lists for capital and district mechanical/electrical spares.
  • Prioritize critical spare components for top drives, catwalks, iron roughnecks, and associated automation/control systems.
  • Partner with Supply Chain to optimize inventory levels while minimizing operational risk.
  • Standardize spare parts strategies across equipment classes and fleet assets.
  • Support lifecycle planning and obsolescence management for critical components.

Technical Support and Training
  • Provide advanced troubleshooting support to district maintenance and operations teams.
  • Assist with commissioning, startup, and acceptance testing of new and upgraded equipment.
  • Develop technical documentation, maintenance procedures, and equipment guidelines.
  • Support training and mentoring initiatives to ensure consistent application of maintenance best practices.
  • Serve as a key technical resource for field operations and maintenance personnel.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.
  • Minimum 10 years of experience in drilling equipment maintenance, mechanical/electrical engineering, reliability engineering, or asset management.
  • Extensive knowledge of top drives, automated catwalks, iron roughnecks, and related drilling equipment utilized in land drilling operations, preferred.
  • Experience with maintenance planning, asset integrity programs, and root cause failure analysis.
  • Strong understanding of drilling rig operations and maintenance best practices.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead fleet-wide initiatives and influence cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience leading fleet-wide maintenance, reliability, or equipment standardization initiatives.
  • Knowledge of Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), predictive maintenance, and condition-monitoring methodologies.
  • Experience working with maintenance systems and equipment performance analytics.
  • Experience supporting multiple districts, regions, or international operations.
  • Strong project management and technical leadership experience.
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About Us
Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.
About the Team
Equal Opportunity Employer
Nabors is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibiting discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, religion, age, color, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To learn more about our Fair Employment practices, please refer to the Nabors Code of Conduct.

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