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Upstream Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineer, Upstream

Frederick, CO · On-site

$124.16K - $194K/yr

Technical lead for upstream processes and unit operations. Responsible for process modeling and ... Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent education/experience . 8+ years ...

Provide data-driven feedback to improve upstream engineering processes * Maintain production flow, rhythm, and operational stability * Ensure effective shift transitions and team readiness * Verify ...

Upstream & LNG Strategist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$125.30K - $161.90K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Financial Management or related discipline. * Minimum of 15 years of experience in Upstream & LNG within an international oil and ...

Provide data-driven feedback to improve upstream engineering processes * Maintain production flow, rhythm, and operational stability * Ensure effective shift transitions and team readiness * Verify ...

Upstream & LNG Strategist

Denver, CO · On-site

$123.80K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Financial Management or related discipline. * Minimum of 15 years of experience in Upstream & LNG within an international oil and ...

Upstream & LNG Strategist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$125.30K - $161.90K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Financial Management or related discipline. * Minimum of 15 years of experience in Upstream & LNG within an international oil and ...

Upstream & LNG Strategist

Aurora, CO · On-site

$123.80K - $160K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, Financial Management or related discipline. * Minimum of 15 years of experience in Upstream & LNG within an international oil and ...

Senior Data Engineer

OR · On-site +1

$147K - $178K/yr

Experience defining and enforcing data contracts or schema standards in collaboration with upstream engineering teams * Hands-on experience with modern orchestration tools like Airflow, Dagster, or ...

Upstream Scientist Location: 2778 SE Side Highway, Elkton VA Pay Rate: $37/Hr on W2 Qualifications ... Engineering Required Experience and Skills: * Proficiency with technical writing and laboratory ...

Gas Commissioning Lead

$188.50K - $205.40K/yr

Strong ability to lead third-party teams while providing technical guidance and challenge to upstream engineering and design decisions. > * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering ...

Gas Commissioning Lead

Charleston, WV · Remote

$188.50K - $205.40K/yr

Strong ability to lead third-party teams while providing technical guidance and challenge to upstream engineering and design decisions. * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

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Upstream Engineering information

See salary details

$32.5K

$63K

$95.5K

How much do upstream engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for upstream engineering in the United States is $62,977.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $72,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Upstream Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Upstream Engineer, you need a solid background in petroleum engineering, geoscience, or a related field, often supported by a relevant degree and industry certifications. Familiarity with reservoir modeling software, drilling technologies, and data analysis tools such as Petrel, Eclipse, or Python is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for optimizing resource extraction, ensuring operational safety, and maximizing project efficiency in the oil and gas industry.

What are some common challenges faced by upstream engineers when working on oil and gas exploration projects?

Upstream engineers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable geological formations, fluctuating commodity prices, and logistical complexities in remote locations. They must collaborate closely with geologists, drilling teams, and field personnel to adapt to changing conditions and ensure safe, efficient extraction. Managing project timelines while adhering to environmental and safety regulations is also a significant aspect of the role. Overcoming these challenges requires strong problem-solving skills, adaptability, and effective communication across multidisciplinary teams.

What is upstream engineering?

Upstream engineering refers to the branch of engineering focused on the exploration and production of oil and natural gas. It involves locating oil and gas reserves, drilling wells, and designing the extraction processes needed to bring these resources to the surface. Upstream engineers work with geologists, drillers, and other professionals to ensure efficient and safe operations. This field is critical to the energy industry and requires expertise in geology, reservoir engineering, and drilling technologies.

What is the difference between Upstream Engineering vs Reservoir Engineering?

AspectUpstream EngineeringReservoir Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Petroleum Engineering or related field; often requires professional engineering licenseBachelor's in Petroleum Engineering, Reservoir Engineering, or Geosciences; often requires similar certifications
Work EnvironmentField operations, drilling sites, and production facilitiesReservoir simulation labs, office-based analysis, and field data interpretation
Industry UsageExploration, drilling, and production of oil and gasReservoir performance analysis and recovery optimization

Upstream Engineering focuses on the exploration, drilling, and production of oil and gas, involving field operations and equipment. Reservoir Engineering specializes in analyzing subsurface reservoirs to maximize hydrocarbon recovery through simulation and modeling. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

More about Upstream Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Upstream Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Upstream Engineering job openings:
What states have the most Upstream Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Upstream Engineering jobs include:
Infographic showing various Upstream Engineering job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,977 per year, or $30.3 per hour.
Technology Architect | Energy Upstream | Upstream

Technology Architect | Energy Upstream | Upstream

Varite

Chicago, IL • Hybrid

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

Pay Rate Range: $ 62.50- 64.33/hr.
Job Title: Technology Architect | Energy Upstream | Upstream - Kong Technology Architect
Work Location & Reporting Address: Chicago, IL 60606 (Onsite-Hybrid. Will consider candidate willing to relocate to client's location)
Contract duration: 6
Target Start Date: 10 May 2026
Does this position require Visa independent candidates only? Yes
Must Have Skills:
• Strong hands-on experience with Kong (OSS/Enterprise), plugins, routing, policies, declarative config, and hybrid/DB-less modes.
• Expertise in API security standards (OAuth2, JWT, mTLS), data protection, logging, and observability.
• Deep understanding of distributed systems, microservices, containers, and Kubernetes.
• Strong experience with CI/CD, Git, automation, and infrastructure-as-code.
Detailed Job Description:
Role Overview:

• The Kong Technical Data Architect is responsible for designing, architecting, and operationalizing API gateway solutions using Kong (OSS/Enterprise) with a strong focus on data flows, security, governance, and performance.
• The role ensures end-to-end architectural integrity across API traffic, data integration, routing, and analytics, while partnering closely with engineering, platform, and security teams.
Minimum Years of Experience:
• 9 years exp overall , 3+ years exp relevant in Kong
Certifications Needed:
• Not mandatory. If certified, it will be added advantage
Top 3 responsibilities you would expect the Subcon to shoulder and execute:
Interview Process (Is face to face required?)
• Video call with valid ID proof
Any additional information you would like to share about the project specs/nature of work: