Weekend Software Engineer Reddit Jobs in Houston, TX

Patterson-UTI's Drilling Automation team develops and deploys advanced technologies designed to improve drilling performance, safety, efficiency, reliability, and energy management.

The Product Development Engineer, Power Systems supports the development, testing, deployment, and continuous improvement of advanced power systems products used on drilling rigs. These products may include battery energy storage systems, automated generator management systems, utility power applications, power management controls, and other technologies used to optimize rig electrical power.

Reporting to the Product Development Manager, this role works closely with controls and software developers, electrical engineers, data scientists, operations personnel, and technical support teams to develop and validate new functionality, analyze system performance, troubleshoot field issues, and support successful product deployments.

The successful candidate will have strong technical and analytical skills, a hands-on approach to problem solving, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Detailed Description

• Support development and continuous improvement of power systems products, including battery energy storage systems, generator management systems, utility power applications, and power management controls.
• Translate product requirements into technical specifications, test procedures, acceptance criteria, and development tasks in coordination with the Product Development Manager and engineering teams.
• Work closely with controls developers, software developers, electrical engineers, and other technical resources to develop, test, and troubleshoot new functionality.
• Develop and execute laboratory, simulated, and system-level test plans to verify product functionality, reliability, and performance.
• Support field validation programs, including equipment installation, software deployment, commissioning, testing, data collection, and evaluation of results.
• Travel to drilling rigs to support new product deployments, upgrades, troubleshooting, and field testing.
• Analyze electrical, operational, and product performance data to identify issues, evaluate product performance, and recommend improvements.
• Troubleshoot controls, software, electrical integration, and system performance issues in laboratory and field environments.
• Work with data scientists and engineering teams to evaluate field data and quantify product performance and operational benefits.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including functional specifications, test procedures, commissioning procedures, troubleshooting guides, training materials, and technical presentations.
• Support training and knowledge transfer for rig crews, electricians, technical support personnel, and other product users.
• Assist with product releases and deployments by ensuring testing, documentation, installation, and technical support activities are completed.
• Maintain familiarity with drilling rig electrical systems, power generation and distribution, controls systems, and the operational environment in which products are deployed.
• Manage multiple development, testing, and field support activities simultaneously while meeting challenging deadlines.

Job Requirements

• Strong technical understanding of electrical power systems, controls, automation, or related industrial systems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to evaluate technical data and identify root causes of system performance issues.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional engineering and operations teams.
• Ability to develop and execute structured test plans and clearly document results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to regularly visit drilling rig locations to support testing, deployments, troubleshooting, and product development.
• Ability to safely navigate drilling rig, yard, shop, and other operational work environments while following applicable safety and PPE requirements.
• Ability to travel as required, including occasional overnight, weekend, or after-hours work associated with field deployments and testing.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, controls engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• 2+ years of experience in engineering, controls and automation, power systems, product development, or a related technical role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the oil and gas drilling industry.
• Experience with controls and automation systems, industrial electrical systems, or power management systems.
• Experience with generators, switchgear, electrical distribution systems, battery energy storage systems, or utility power applications.
• Experience with PLC-based controls, SCADA systems, industrial automation platforms, or similar control architectures.
• Experience testing, commissioning, or troubleshooting complex electrical or automation systems.
• Experience analyzing operational or time-series data.

Additional Details

This position requires the ability to work in a time-sensitive environment and regularly travel to drilling rig locations and other work sites. Extended travel, overnight stays, and variable work hours may occasionally be required to support field testing, commissioning, deployments, or troubleshooting.

The Product Development Engineer must be comfortable working hands-on with complex technical systems and balancing development activities, testing, data analysis, documentation, and field support.