Project Engineer, Senior - Mechanical design

Helmerich & Payne•Tulsa, OK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the FlexRig Development & Special Projects team, the Project Engineer, Senior - Mechanical Design leads and executes the development of mechanical systems, equipment, and physical modifications to improve the safety, capability, reliability, and performance of H&P’s FlexRig fleet. The role carries work from early concept and requirements definition through analysis, detailed design, drawing release, fabrication, testing, field deployment, and post-deployment support. It collaborates with mechanical, structural, electrical, controls, software, drafting, operations, construction, supply chain, vendors, and field personnel to turn business and operational needs into practical solutions. As a senior-level engineer, the position calls for self-direction, strong mechanical judgment, disciplined engineering documentation, excellent communication with internal and external customers, and ownership of ambiguous technical problems through to resolution. Designs should be safe, practical, manufacturable, maintainable, and appropriate for drilling-rig operations and field deployment. The engineer is expected to maintain complete and controlled engineering packages, communicate technical issues and decisions clearly, support field and construction teams with usable information, turn lessons learned into repeatable improvements, and coach less-experienced team members. The position is based at the Tulsa office and is onsite. Travel will be 10–15% as needed, including periodic trips to system assemblies, facilities, test sites, vendor locations, and active rig locations, with occasional overnight stays. Flex-scheduling is available for qualifying positions. Compensation is determined based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and alignment with the role.

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.
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.
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.
Designs equipment that is safe, practical, manufacturable, maintainable, and suited to drilling-rig operation and field deployment.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with 3D CAD and production drawing practices; experience with Autodesk Inventor, AutoCAD, Vault, or comparable systems is preferred.
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 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 in coordination with other disciplines.
Prepare, review, mark up, and approve engineering drawings, assembly and modification drawings, bills of material, design calculations, technical reports, work instructions, and release documentation.
Coordinate engineering work with drafting resources and maintain drawing and index control through established 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 incorporate 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 a safety focus.
Develop and maintain deployment drawing packages, test plans, inspection requirements, technical advisories, design-basis records, and documentation for operations, maintenance, construction, and field-support teams.
Partner with operations and field personnel to understand equipment installation, operation, maintenance, transport, and repair, and incorporate their feedback into designs.
Evaluate alternatives based on 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.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible Spending or Health Savings Accounts
401k match
Paid Leave Plans
Parental & Adoption Benefits
Disability Coverage
Employee Assistance Program
Educational Assistance
Learning & Development Opportunities
Flex-scheduling available for qualifying positions to achieve work-life integration