Lead Performance Drilling Engineer

BP•Houston, TX

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Performance Drilling Engineer is responsible for safely optimizing drilling performance and improving feet per day and cost per foot. The role works with engineering peers, well-site supervisors, the remote operations center, subsurface teams, and field execution teams to deliver improvements in on-bottom and flat-time metrics. The engineer helps design and execute safe, technically sound, cost-effective drilling projects and supports drilling performance projects across the company. The role calls for technical judgment, professionalism, leadership, and a collaborative approach to safe, compliant operations.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from a university accredited to the U.S. standard; preferred disciplines are Petroleum, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering.
At least 8 years of experience as a Drilling Engineer with an independent or major oil company in a similar capacity.
Experience using software for casing-design modeling, directional well planning, hydraulics, and torque and drag.
Demonstrated detailed technical knowledge of horizontal-well drilling.
Engineering and operational drilling experience in casing design, directional drilling, drill-string/BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning.
Strong awareness of performance factors including rock mechanical properties, drill bits, drilling fluids, downhole drilling vibration, and BHA/performance components.
Excellent communication and presentation skills and a high-energy personality.
Ability to develop ideas and technical proposals with minimal supervision.
Track record of optimizing drilling performance and promoting continuous improvement.
Ability to seek new and more efficient ways to improve drilling performance.
Understanding of and demonstrated leadership in managing an HSE-compliant operation without sacrificing operational efficiency.
Must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States for an employer other than the current employer and must not require employment visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

Work experience with an industry service provider.
Industry training such as WC Certification, Murchison, Extended Reach Drilling, or similar courses.
Familiarity with data analytics tools and basic programming skills.

Responsibilities

Work with engineering and field execution teams to design and execute safe, technically sound, cost-effective drilling projects.
Drive technical performance improvements within the drilling program and support drilling performance projects across the company.
Promote continuous improvement through standardization to improve operational reliability and consistency.
Analyze and diagnose drilling inefficiencies and recommend drilling parameters and bottom-hole assembly (BHA) changes.
Identify risks and mitigating controls for recommended procedures, including risk assessments and management of change (MOC), and ensure alignment with corporate, regulatory, and asset standards.
Work with drilling engineers, drilling superintendents, cross-functional teams, and vendors to solve problems and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
Prepare and present information to peers and cross-functional teams.
Secure bids for services from reputable, approved subcontractors and engage qualified contractors who meet company operational and safety standards.
Research offset wells, evaluate new ideas and drilling techniques, and seek improved methods for drilling wells.
Manage a variable workload as rig activity changes in response to company goals.
Communicate effectively, treat employees and contractors respectfully, and promote a safe, inclusive, engaging environment.