Research and Development Engineer

Packers Plus Energy Services Inc.; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Packers Plus Energy Services Inc. in Edmonton is seeking a curious Research & Development Engineer to join our engineering team. The role centers on simulation-driven design using FEA and CFD to understand why designs work, why they fail, and how to improve them.

The position includes 20–30% hands-on R&D development, troubleshooting, physical testing, fixture design, and mechanical design work, collaborating with manufacturing to support oilfield completion tools.

Qualifications

• Abaqus/Ansys FEA experience including nonlinear/material modeling.
• SolidWorks Flow Simulation or CFD experience.
• Experience with design verification and failure analysis.
• 4+ years’ experience with downhole tools.
• Strong communication and project management skills.
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced FEA simulations to evaluate stresses, strains, deformation, contact, failure mechanisms, and product performance.
• Develop and analyze CFD simulations to investigate fluid flow, pressure drop, velocities, forces, hydraulic behavior.
• Investigate design failures and unexpected performance through simulation, calculations, physical testing, and root-cause analysis.
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineers, manufacturing personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Support the development and improvement of new and existing completion tools and components.
• Design test fixtures and other equipment required to perform engineering testing.
• Support troubleshooting of field, manufacturing, and testing issues.
• Provide recommendations on design and processes to improve efficiencies in new product design.
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, test reports, and engineering recommendations.
• Research industry advances in technology, materials, and standards to ensure innovation in new product design.

Skills

Abaqus/Ansys FEA experience

Nonlinear analysis

Ductile & hyperelastic modeling

CFD experience

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

Design verification & qualification

Root-cause/failure analysis

Downhole tools experience

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Chemical/Petroleum) or related

APEGA/ASET membership is an asset

Knowledge of ISO/API Q1 standards

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

SolidWorks

SolidWorks Flow Simulation

CFD software

Job description

We are looking for a curious and enthusiastic Research & Development Engineer to join our engineering team in Edmonton.

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who enjoys going beyond simply determining whether a design works and wants to understand why it works, why it fails, and how it can be improved.

The primary focus of the position will be computer simulation and analysis using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys diving deep into an engineering problem, developing a sound understanding of the underlying physics, building an appropriate simulation, interpreting the results critically, and communicating their conclusions to others.

While simulation will be the primary focus of the role, approximately 20–30% of the position will involve R&D development, troubleshooting, physical testing, fixture design, and occasional mechanical/tool design.

Our engineering group is fast-paced team and driven by innovation, operational excellence, and customer intimacy. We work closely with manufacturing and operations to develop, improve, and support oilfield completion tools.

If you are a technical person who loves understanding how things work, enjoys solving difficult technical problems, and wants to make simulation a core part of your engineering career, we encourage you to apply.

Key Tasks And Responsibilities

• Perform advanced FEA simulations to evaluate stresses, strains, deformation, contact, failure mechanisms, and product performance
• Develop and analyze CFD simulations to investigate fluid flow, pressure drop, velocities, forces, hydraulic behaviour
• Investigate design failures and unexpected performance through simulation, calculations, physical testing, and root-cause analysis
• Communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineers, manufacturing personnel, and other stakeholders
• Support the development and improvement of new and existing completion tools and components
• Design test fixtures and other equipment required to perform engineering testing
• Support troubleshooting of field, manufacturing, and testing issues
• Provide recommendations on design and processes, based on sound engineering principles, to continually improve efficiencies in new product design
• Prepare technical reports, analysis documentation, test reports, and engineering recommendations
• Research industry advances in technology, materials, and standards to ensure innovation in new product design
• Provide engineering guidance and recommendations to various departments on manufacturing, assembly, testing, and operational standards of new and existing tool designs
• Revise and maintain drawings and models as necessary to ensure they continue to meet Packers Plus standards
• Review technical documents for accuracy and completeness
• Compliance with Packers Plus Health and Safety Program
• Compliance to API-Q1 and ISO standards

Position Requirements

Experience And Skills

• Abaqus/Ansys FEA experience, nonlinear analysis, ductile and hyperelastic material modeling
• SolidWorks Flow Simulation or other CFD experience
• Experience with design verification, qualification testing, or root-cause/failure analysis
• 4+ years’ experience with downhole tools, design and applications an asset
• Manage multiple engineering projects and priorities while maintaining a high level of technical quality
• Excellent technical written and verbal communication skills
• Advanced SolidWorks experience including part modelling, assemblies, design table and manufacturing drawings
• Experience with product qualification testing, design validation, and failure analysis
• Knowledge of machining practices including turning, milling, threading, tolerancing, surface finishes and tooling considerations
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, planning, problem-solving, negotiation, and organizational skills
• Experience in Research & Development (R&D) processes

Education and Training

• Minimum 2-year Diploma or Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Petroleum or other related field) or equivalent experience
• APEGA/ASET membership is an asset
• Knowledge of ISO/API Q1 standards

Physical and Safety Requirements

• May require lifting/carrying up to 40 lbs
• Position is Safety Sensitive and subject to a pre-employment drug & alcohol test
• Subject to post-incident and reasonable-cause drug & alcohol testing
• Extended periods of sitting at a desk using computer, monitor, keyboard and mouse

Competencies

• Customer Intimacy
• Operational Excellence
• People & Culture
• Innovation

Role Competencies

• Analytical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Technical/Functional Knowledge
• Curiosity
• Project Management
• Action Oriented
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Creativity
• Technical/Functional Job Skill/Knowledge