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Upstream Production Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Overview The Field Operator III is responsible for safely and efficiently operating upstream production facilities and wells in accordance with established operating procedures, safety guidelines ...

The Production Operator I is responsible for managing the production process and work area from ... Conduct thorough checks of upstream and downstream equipment before starting the machine. * Safety ...

Overview The Field Operator III is responsible for safely and efficiently operating upstream production facilities and wells in accordance with established operating procedures, safety guidelines ...

The Field Operator III is responsible for safely and efficiently operating upstream production facilities and wells in accordance with established operating procedures, safety guidelines, and daily ...

This role focuses on delivering high-quality, high-titer vector products to support LVV generation ... Lead the execution of study protocols to define operating parameters, feeding strategies, and ...

Production Engineer

Spring, TX · On-site

$75K - $95K/yr

... upstream production systems and surface infrastructure. The engineer integrates real-time data ... Track daily lease operating expenses (LOE) and optimize field cost drivers. * Create or review AFEs ...

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Upstream Production Operator information

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How much do upstream production operator jobs pay per hour?

As of May 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for upstream production operator in the United States is $18.20, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $19.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Upstream Production Operator, you need a solid understanding of oil and gas production processes, mechanical aptitude, and often a technical diploma or relevant industry certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, control panels, and safety management protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are standout soft skills in this role. These skills are critical to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable extraction and processing of resources in demanding operational environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Upstream Production Operators in day-to-day operations?

Upstream Production Operators often encounter challenges such as fluctuating equipment performance, unexpected maintenance issues, and adapting to changing production targets. Working in remote or offshore environments can also pose logistical and communication difficulties. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and maintenance staff, is essential to troubleshoot problems quickly and ensure safe, efficient production. Staying current with safety protocols and operational procedures is also crucial in minimizing risks and maintaining productivity.

What are Upstream Production Operators?

Upstream Production Operators are professionals who manage and monitor the extraction of oil and gas from underground reservoirs. They operate and maintain equipment used in drilling, pumping, and processing raw materials at the well site. Their responsibilities include ensuring safe and efficient production, troubleshooting machinery issues, and maintaining compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Upstream Production Operators often work in remote locations and may be required to work in shifts, including nights and weekends.

What is the difference between Upstream Production Operator vs Downstream Processing Technician?

AspectUpstream Production OperatorDownstream Processing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; technical certifications often preferredHigh school diploma; technical or specialized certifications
Work EnvironmentOil rigs, drilling sites, production facilitiesRefineries, chemical plants, processing facilities
Industry UsageOil and gas exploration and productionRefining and chemical manufacturing
Job FocusExtracting and producing raw hydrocarbonsProcessing and refining hydrocarbons into usable products

Upstream Production Operators focus on extracting raw oil and gas from the earth, working primarily in drilling sites and production facilities. Downstream Processing Technicians handle refining and processing of these raw materials into finished products. Both roles require technical skills and certifications but differ mainly in their work environment and job focus.

What cities are hiring for Upstream Production Operator jobs? Cities with the most Upstream Production Operator job openings:
What states have the most Upstream Production Operator jobs? States with the most job openings for Upstream Production Operator jobs include:
Business Consultant - Upstream Production

Business Consultant - Upstream Production

Smartbridge

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Position Summary
The Upstream Production Business Consultant will serve as a bridge between business stakeholders, operations teams, and solution delivery teams for an AI-enabled chemical injection optimization program. This role will help prepare the client organization for adoption by developing communication plans, creating training materials, leading training sessions, facilitating business workshops, and supporting end-user readiness.
The right candidate has at least 5 years of hands-on upstream production experience and exposure to or familiarity with chemical injection programs, including areas such as scale, corrosion, asphaltene, and demulsifier treatment. This person must be comfortable working across field and corporate stakeholders and able to translate operational realities into practical change, communication, and training plans.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead the change and communication management workstream for the project
  • Develop and execute stakeholder communication plans that support understanding, alignment, and adoption
  • Create training strategies, role-based training plans, user guides, job aids, and supporting documentation
  • Conduct training sessions for operators, production chemists, engineers, and other business users
  • Facilitate workshops to understand current-state operations, user needs, and process impacts
  • Document business processes, operational workflows, decision points, and adoption considerations
  • Partner with client and Smartbridge project teams to align business needs with solution design
  • Help define user scenarios and support solution readiness across pilot and deployment phases
  • Support user acceptance, feedback capture, and continuous improvement efforts
  • Identify organizational impacts, adoption risks, and opportunities to improve user readiness
  • Build credibility with upstream stakeholders and help drive practical adoption in a real operating environment

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in information systems, business administration, or engineering field preferred.
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in upstream oil and gas production
  • Exposure to or familiarity with chemical injection, production chemistry, flow assurance, or related production optimization programs
  • Experience working with upstream stakeholders such as operators, production engineers, production chemists, asset teams, and operations leaders
  • Demonstrated experience in change management, communications, training development, and training delivery
  • Strong facilitation and workshop leadership skills
  • Ability to document business processes and translate business needs into clear requirements and adoption actions
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Comfortable working across business and technical teams
  • Strong organizational and project coordination skills
  • Proficiency with Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and Teams
  • Travel, including international travel, to client locations if required

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting digital transformation, analytics, or AI initiatives in oil and gas
  • Familiarity with production optimization workflows and operational decision support tools
  • Experience with Power BI, industrial data environments, or upstream reporting platforms
  • Consulting experience in energy, oilfield services, or industrial operations
  • Experience supporting pilot deployments, user onboarding, and post-go-live adoption

What Success Looks Like
  • Stakeholders understand the purpose, value, and expected use of the solution
  • Training is practical, role-based, and aligned to real operating workflows
  • End users are prepared to engage with the solution confidently
  • Change impacts are clearly understood and managed
  • Adoption is supported through clear communication, training, and user feedback loops

Why Join Smartbridge
At Smartbridge, you will work on meaningful transformation initiatives where business outcomes matter and adoption is critical. You will join a team that values practical thinking, strong delivery, and client partnership. This is an opportunity to help shape how AI-enabled solutions are successfully introduced into upstream operations and to contribute to innovative work across the energy sector.
We are thrilled about the possibility of you joining our team at Smartbridge, where you will have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from diverse backgrounds and make impactful contributions to innovative projects that drive digital transformation for our esteemed clients.
If you believe that your skills align with our requirements and share our passion for technology and excellence, we wholeheartedly encourage you to apply and embark on this rewarding journey with us. We eagerly await the opportunity to review your application and explore the potential of working together.
*Please note that the compensation information that follows is a good faith estimate for this position only and is provided pursuant to the Equal Pay Transparency Laws in numerous states we operate. It takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, as well as the position's work location, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees.