Project Engineer, Senior - Mechanical design

Helmerich & Payne•Tulsa, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the FlexRig Development & Special Projects team, the Project Engineer, Senior - Mechanical Design leads and executes development of mechanical systems, equipment, and physical modifications to improve the safety, capability, reliability, and performance of H&P’s FlexRig fleet. The engineer carries work from early concept and requirements definition through analysis, detailed design, drawing release, fabrication, testing, field deployment, and post-deployment support. The role works closely with mechanical, structural, electrical, controls, software, drafting, operations, construction, supply chain, vendors, and field personnel to translate business and operational needs into practical solutions. This senior-level position calls for self-direction, sound mechanical judgment, disciplined engineering documentation, strong communication with internal and external customers, and ownership of ambiguous technical problems through resolution. Designs should be safe, practical, manufacturable, maintainable, and suited to drilling-rig operations and field deployment. The role also supports technical issue resolution, controlled engineering packages, field and construction teams, and continuous improvement based on fabrication, testing, deployment, and operational lessons learned. Travel is 10–15% as needed, including periodic visits to assembly facilities, test sites, vendor locations, and active rig locations, sometimes with overnight stays. The position is onsite at the Tulsa Office. Job level and compensation will depend on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role’s requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university, or a similar engineering degree with relevant professional experience.
At least 7 years of mechanical design, machine design, equipment development, structural-mechanical integration, or comparable engineering experience.
Demonstrated ability to independently lead complex mechanical work from concept through design, release, fabrication, testing, and implementation.
Proficiency with 3D CAD and production drawing practices.
Ability to perform and organize engineering calculations and use analysis tools appropriately; familiarity with finite element analysis.
Working knowledge of fabrication, welding, machining, materials, tolerancing, fasteners, mechanical power transmission, and design for manufacture and assembly.
Experience integrating mechanical equipment with hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, instrumentation, or controls systems.
Strong technical writing, verbal communication, organization, and stakeholder-management skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with management, customers, engineering, drafting, vendors, construction, operations, maintenance, executives, and oilfield personnel.
Demonstrated initiative, ownership, sound engineering judgment, teamwork, and ability to lead.
Ability and willingness to travel periodically to system assemblies, facilities, test sites, vendor locations, and active rig locations, including occasional overnight stays.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Vault, or comparable systems.
Experience with land drilling rigs, mobile industrial equipment, heavy machinery, oilfield equipment, robotic systems, or equipment deployed in harsh environments.
Professional Engineer licensure or active progress toward licensure.
Familiarity with applicable API specifications and recommended practices, AISC guidance, ASME standards, AGMA guidance, ASTM standards, and the Machinery’s Handbook.
Experience with product development, research and development, prototype testing, commissioning, root-cause analysis, or field deployment support.
Experience preparing or reviewing lifting, transport, installation, inspection, modification, or repair documentation.
Project leadership experience involving multiple disciplines, external vendors, uncertain requirements, and competing priorities.
Experience mentoring engineers, designers, interns, or early-career technical staff.

Responsibilities

Lead mechanical design and development of new rig equipment, automation-enabling hardware, machine components, structural interfaces, and modifications to existing FlexRig systems.
Translate strategic, safety, customer, operational, and field needs into design requirements, concepts, technical work scopes, and executable engineering plans.
Develop concepts, layouts, mechanisms, weldments, assemblies, and equipment interfaces using machine-design principles and practical knowledge of drilling-rig operations.
Perform and document engineering analysis, including load paths, stress calculations, tolerance studies, clearance and interference checks, weight control, fit-up reviews, and finite element analysis when appropriate.
Design and integrate mechanical systems involving hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and controls interfaces, coordinating across disciplines to ensure safe and reliable system operation.
Prepare, review, mark up, and approve engineering drawings, assembly and modification drawings, bills of material, design calculations, technical reports, work instructions, and supporting release documentation.
Coordinate engineering work with drafting resources and maintain drawing and index control through established drawing-release processes.
Work with fabrication and assembly facilities, machine shops, welders, inspectors, suppliers, and third-party manufacturers to resolve manufacturability, fit-up, material, quality, and schedule issues.
Support prototype builds, factory acceptance testing, commissioning, rig moves, installations, and field deployments; identify issues and convert lessons learned into design and documentation improvements.
Provide technical support for field problems, equipment failures, design deficiencies, drawing gaps, and repair or modification needs while maintaining engineering rigor and safety focus.
Develop and maintain deployment drawing packages, test plans, inspection requirements, technical advisories, design-basis records, and other documentation for operations, maintenance, construction, and field-support teams.
Work with operations and field personnel to understand equipment installation, operation, maintenance, transport, and repair, and incorporate feedback into designs.
Evaluate alternatives for value, reliability, serviceability, standardization, lifecycle support, lead time, and total implementation risk.
Lead technical reviews, communicate recommendations and tradeoffs, and provide schedule, cost, resource, and risk input to project and engineering leadership as needed.
Manage multiple concurrent assignments and changing priorities while maintaining ownership, stakeholder communication, and follow-through.
Coach and develop less-experienced team members through mentoring, design review, and meaningful ownership of engineering work.