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Well Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Oxy

Sr Well Design Engineer Advisor

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

Collaborates withasset team geoscientists,petrophysicists, drilling engineers, and well operations staff to effectively designsafe andcost-effectivedrillingmudprograms, casing design,andformation ...

Oxy

Sr Well Design Engineer Advisor

The Woodlands, TX · On-site

$80.40K - $110.80K/yr

Collaborates with asset team geoscientists, petrophysicists, drilling engineers, and well operations staff to effectively design safe and cost-effective drilling mud programs, casing design, and ...

Juniper Design Group

Design Engineer

Southington, CT · On-site

... well-documented. Essential Responsibilities * Create and maintain CAD models, assemblies, and detailed drawings * Support engineering change orders (ECOs), revisions, and product updates * Assist ...

Firecrawl

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site +1

$160K - $240K/yr

Backgrounds that often do well: Design engineers at developer tools companies, frontend engineers with strong design instincts, designers who code and ship their own work, or indie builders who've ...

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Well Design Engineer information

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$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do well design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for well design engineer in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Well Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Well Design Engineer, you need a strong background in petroleum engineering, geomechanics, and well construction principles, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with well planning software (such as Landmark, WellPlan, or WellCat), drilling technologies, and industry certifications like IWCF or Well Control are important. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and address complex challenges. These skills are vital to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective well designs that meet regulatory and operational requirements.

How does a Well Design Engineer typically collaborate with drilling and production teams during a project?

As a Well Design Engineer, you will work closely with both drilling and production teams to ensure that well plans are technically sound, cost-effective, and meet safety standards. Collaboration often involves participating in planning meetings, reviewing drilling and completion programs, and incorporating feedback from field operations. You may also be responsible for updating designs in response to real-time drilling data and troubleshooting any issues that arise during execution. Effective communication and teamwork are key, as your input directly impacts the success of drilling operations and future production.

What does a Well Design Engineer do?

A Well Design Engineer is responsible for planning and designing the construction of oil and gas wells. Their work involves creating detailed well plans, selecting drilling equipment, ensuring safety and environmental compliance, and optimizing well performance. They collaborate with geologists, drilling engineers, and other specialists to ensure efficient and cost-effective well construction. Well Design Engineers use advanced software and engineering principles to address challenges such as pressure, temperature, and geological formations. Their role is critical in minimizing risks and maximizing resource extraction.

What is the difference between Well Design Engineer vs Well Operations Engineer?

AspectWell Design EngineerWell Operations Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning well plans, selecting equipment, ensuring safety during well constructionExecuting well plans, managing daily operations, troubleshooting during drilling and completion
Required SkillsReservoir understanding, CAD design, safety protocolsOperational procedures, real-time decision making, equipment handling
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with site visits during planning phasesField-based during drilling and completion activities
CertificationsWell Control, HSE certifications, engineering degreesWell Control, HSE certifications, engineering degrees

While both roles require similar certifications and engineering backgrounds, Well Design Engineers focus on planning and designing wells, whereas Well Operations Engineers are involved in executing and managing well activities in the field. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or job focus within the oil and gas industry.

More about Well Design Engineer jobs
What job categories do people searching Well Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Well Design Engineer jobs are:
Well Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Well Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 73% Physical, 7% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Sr Well Design Engineer Advisor

Sr Well Design Engineer Advisor

Oxy

The Woodlands, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

Oxyproduces,markets and transportsoil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. The company leverages its global leadership incarbon managementto advance lower-carbon technologies and products. Headquartered in Houston, Oxy primarily operates in the United States, Middle East and North Africa. To learn more, visitOxy

Oxy strives to attract and retain talented employees by investing in their professional development and providing rewarding opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to meet the highest employer standards by ensuring the health and safety of our employees, protecting the environment and positively impacting our communities where we do business.

  • Technical:

  • Predicts well pore pressure, overburden, fracture pressure, and shear failure (PPFG) based on well data and seismic

  • Ability to recognize shallow drilling hazards and recommend methods to avoid costly NPT incidents while drilling through complex unconsolidated sediments

  • Effectively monitor PPFG while drilling,identifypotential drilling issues, alter original casing/ drilling plans as unforeseen issues arise,advisedrilling and operationsdailywhile drilling

  • Responsible for designing and executing wellbore strengtheningprograms designed to minimizecatastrophicmud losses in pressure depleted reservoirs and faults, reduce NPT, and assure well safety.Establish thorough understanding of commercial products for LCM and stress cage, and ability to execute programs with drilling and wellsite operations.

  • Ability to work in complex deep water depositional basins influenced by rapid/episodic clasticsedimentation, dynamic structural development associated with MTCs, salt tectonics, faulting,compaction,&diagenesis;and how these factors influence overpressure,fracturegradient,overburden, pressureregressionsand local stress field variations

  • Interpretand modelFIT and dynamic MPD tests to fine-tune fracture gradient and shear failure predictions while drilling

  • Develop new techniques to improve PPFG workflows and prediction, improve wellborestability, cementingoperations, and well operations

  • Contribute to rock mechanics studies to assess long term production limitations, waterflooding operations, well completions, and drilling

  • Strong consideration given to candidates withsignificant experienceusing Interactive Petrophysics software for PPFG prediction androck mechanics modelling

  • Team Interaction & Leadership:

  • Member of an integrated multi-disciplinary subsurface teamcomposed of SME's in PPFG prediction, rock mechanics, wellbore integrity, wellbore strengthening, geoscientists, drilling engineers, completions engineers andpetrophysicists

  • Collaborates withasset team geoscientists,petrophysicists, drilling engineers, and well operations staff to effectively designsafe andcost-effectivedrillingmudprograms, casing design,andformation evaluation

  • Collaborates with multidiscipline development, exploration, and operations teams across the GOA

  • Collaborates as needed withpartners and industry leadersonwell plans and advances in PPFG prediction

Education:Master's degreein Rock Mechanics, Geoscience, or Petroleum Engineering

Professional/Technical Knowledge:Minimum offifteen(15) years of total experienceinatechnology group oroperations team responsible for PPFG prediction andwelldesignandideally haveworkingexperienceinusing wellbore strengtheningto minimizedrilling issues in faulted or pressure depleted reservoirs.

Professional/TechnicalQualifications/Licences/Certifications:N/A

Skills & Competencies:Coach and mentor less experiencedstaff geologists, operations personnel, drilling staff,petrophysicists(approximately10%of work time).Ability to improve technology in wellbore stability, PPFG, MPD, well cementing, and minimizing NPT.Must have a proven record for assuring well safety and the environment.

Recruitment Fraud
It has come to our attention various individuals and/or organizations are contacting people falsely pretending to recruit on behalf of Oxy. Please be aware that these recruiting scams and communications do not originate nor are they associated with our recruitment process. All Oxy job postings and offers will require a completed application through our company website.
Oxy does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruiting process. We will never:
Ask you to pay for applications, interviews, meetings, processing, training or for any other fees
Use recruiting or placement agencies that charge candidates an advance fee of any kind or
Request personal information such as passport and bank account details at an early stage of our recruitment process.
We recommend against responding to unsolicited business propositions or offers from people you don't know. Do not disclose your personal or financial details. If you believe you have been the victim of a recruiting scam, please contact your local police department.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

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About Oxy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

For 100 years, Oxy has developed extensive assets, infrastructure, expertise and technology to fuel progress and improve lives around the world. Now we’re leveraging these resources to help solve the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. We want to be part of the solution, so we're taking bold steps to innovate new technologies for a low-carbon future. Oxy produces energy and essential products to sustain and improve life on our planet. Our experienced teams, located in the United States, Middle East, Africa and Latin America, are committed to safe and efficient operations and products, and to reducing our carbon footprint and helping others do the same.

Industry

Oil and gas extraction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Houston, TX, US

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