Senior Project Engineer - Drilling Services

Weatherford•Houston, TX

About The Position

This senior-level engineering position leads engineering design and optimization efforts, drives technical innovation, and ensures high standards in project execution. The role provides expert judgment and analysis for designing, developing, and implementing technical products and systems, resolves highly complex technical issues, and recommends design or development changes to improve product or procedural quality. As a technical authority, the engineer guides projects from conception through completion with cross-functional teams to meet operational and business objectives. The position requires independent judgment in project management and scheduling and broad engineering experience, specific subject-matter expertise, or both. The engineer develops, tests, and validates downhole tools and components; creates repair systems and documentation for downhole components; and performs product-development activities that implement customer specifications and documentation requirements. The role leads technical development and optimization projects, develops solutions for reliability in severe drilling conditions, and coordinates planning, design, execution, and testing in alignment with safety standards, regulations, and customer requirements. It also includes technical guidance, research and implementation of advanced technologies, feasibility and risk analysis, design calculations and simulations, failure-mode analysis, collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, mentoring junior engineers, and maintaining complete project documentation.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or another engineering discipline with equivalent experience.
At least 8 years of engineering experience, including a strong background in design development, validation, project management, and technical leadership.
Experience in sustaining or new product development of electromechanical drilling services tools, such as MWD, LWD, or RSS.
Advanced working knowledge of engineering tools, including CAD and simulation tools.
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to think critically and develop innovative solutions.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
Knowledge of industry standards, regulations, and best practices related to health, safety, and environmental compliance.
Self-starter with curiosity and the ability to research independently and integrate information from multiple sources into working solutions.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing designs, processes, and specifications for repairing downhole components and for welding or hardfacing processes.
Extensive knowledge of alloys and other materials used in drilling services tools, including non-magnetic stainless steel alloys, corrosion-resistant alloys, high-temperature elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Responsibilities

Perform complex development, testing, and validation activities for downhole tools, subassemblies, and components.
Develop systems and documentation for the repair and inspection of downhole components, including inspection criteria, machining, welding, coating or surface treatment, mechanical assembly, and post-repair inspection processes.
Perform product-development activities, including interpreting and implementing customer specifications and documentation requirements.
Provide expert engineering direction and lead design and optimization projects focused on developing and enhancing processes and systems.
Develop and implement engineering solutions addressing reliability in severe drilling conditions, tool assembly and repair efficiency and consistency, manufacturing lead time and cost, and service-delivery cost.
Coordinate technical development activities, including project planning, design, execution, and testing, while ensuring alignment with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and customer specifications.
Act as a technical expert and provide guidance on complex projects.
Assist with engineering activities, including work within the Product Development Process.
Drive research, development, and implementation of advanced technologies and methodologies.
Conduct feasibility studies, risk assessments, and cost-benefit analyses for proposed engineering projects.
Apply theoretical calculations to product design.
Use computer-driven engineering software as needed to create drawings and perform complex simulations and analyses.
Anticipate product failure modes and recommend solutions based on experience.
Develop and communicate design guidelines for the department.
Analyze critical components to eliminate potential failure modes.
Converge on commercially viable solutions in a reasonable timeframe with limited guidance.
Collaborate with Repair and Maintenance, Operations, and Manufacturing on product modifications, component selection, and integration.
Work with internal and external stakeholders, including Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and HSE, to deliver project outcomes.
Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Mentor and develop junior engineers and foster continuous learning and professional growth.
Maintain documentation of project specifications, engineering drawings, calculations, test results, and other critical project data.