Completions & Well Management Research Engineer - Advanced

ExxonMobil; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ExxonMobil is seeking a Research Wells Engineer to develop and apply novel technologies, modeling capabilities, and data-driven workflows for unconventional resource development. You will collaborate with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, data scientists, and operations engineers to advance understanding of hydraulic fracturing, well performance, and field development optimization.

The role offers opportunities to lead fundamental and applied research, influence development strategies, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. preferred; exceptional M.S. candidates will also be considered.
• Demonstrated research experience in hydraulic fracturing, stimulation design, or related areas.
• Experience developing numerical models and analyzing complex datasets.
• Familiarity with scientific programming and data analysis tools, preferably Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and technology development focused on hydraulic fracture modeling, stimulation effectiveness, and completion optimization in unconventional reservoirs.
• Design, execute, and interpret field pilots to evaluate innovative completion designs, well spacing, landing zones, stacking strategies, production optimization approaches, and emerging technologies.
• Develop and apply physics-based, data-driven, and coupled modeling workflows to improve understanding of fracture propagation, reservoir interaction, and well performance.
• Integrate geological, geomechanical, petrophysical, completion, production, and reservoir datasets to identify key drivers of unconventional asset performance.
• Develop predictive models and analytical tools to support field development planning, production forecasting, and resource recovery optimization.
• Publish technical findings, develop internal best practices, and communicate recommendations to management, technology, and asset teams.

Skills

Python

Written and verbal communication

Education

Ph.D. preferred

MS acceptable

Petroleum/Meechanical/Chemical Eng/Applied Math/Geoscience degree

Tools

Python

Job description

About us

At ExxonMobil, our vision is to lead in energy innovations that advance modern living while reducing emissions. As one of the world’s largest publicly traded energy and chemical companies, we are powered by a unique and diverse workforce fueled by the pride in what we do and what we stand for.

The success of our Upstream, Product Solutions and Low Carbon Solutions businesses is the result of the talent, curiosity and drive of our people. They bring solutions every day to optimize our strategy in energy, chemicals, lubricants and lower-emissions technologies.

We invite you to bring your ideas to ExxonMobil to help create sustainable solutions that improve quality of life and meet society’s evolving needs. Learn more about our What and our Why (https://corporate.exxonmobil.com/About-us/Who-we-are) and how we can work together .

About the Role

The Unconventional Technology Development team, part of Upstream Technology Portfolio (UTP), conducts research, technology development, and direct asset support for ExxonMobil’s global unconventional assets. The team applies advanced computational, analytical, and experimental approaches to address business-critical challenges in well construction, well completions, well performance optimization, and cube-scale development.

We are seeking a Research Wells Engineer to develop and apply novel technologies, modeling capabilities, and data-driven workflows that improve unconventional resource development. The successful candidate will work in a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environment alongside geoscientists, reservoir engineers, data scientists, and operations engineers to advance understanding of hydraulic fracturing, well performance, reservoir stimulation, and field development optimization.

This position provides opportunities to lead both fundamental and applied research, influence development strategies, and support implementation of new technologies across ExxonMobil’s unconventional portfolio.

What You Will Do

• Lead research and technology development focused on hydraulic fracture modeling, stimulation effectiveness, and completion optimization in unconventional reservoirs.
• Design, execute, and interpret field pilots to evaluate innovative completion designs, well spacing, landing zones, stacking strategies, production optimization approaches, and emerging technologies.
• Develop and apply physics-based, data-driven, and coupled modeling workflows to improve understanding of fracture propagation, reservoir interaction, and well performance.
• Integrate geological, geomechanical, petrophysical, completion, production, and reservoir datasets to identify key drivers of unconventional asset performance.
• Develop predictive models and analytical tools to support field development planning, production forecasting, and resource recovery optimization.
• Conduct research on emerging unconventional development concepts, fracture diagnostics, stimulation technologies, machine learning applications, and digital workflows.
• Analyze pilot and field-performance results and translate findings into scalable recommendations for business implementation.
• Collaborate with drilling, completions, reservoir, production, facilities, and data science teams to identify and deliver high-value technology solutions.
• Benchmark industry technologies and identify opportunities to improve well productivity, recovery efficiency, operational performance, and capital effectiveness.
• Publish technical findings, develop internal best practices, and communicate recommendations to management, technology, and asset teams.
• Mentor early-career engineers and contribute to the development of technical capabilities across the organization.

About You

• Ph.D. preferred; exceptional M.S. candidates will also be considered.
• Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Geoscience, or a related technical discipline.
• Demonstrated research experience in one or more of the following areas:
• Hydraulic fracturing and stimulation design
• Fracture mechanics and geomechanics
• Fluid flow in porous media and wellbores
• Coupled physics modeling
• Reservoir simulation and production forecasting
• Carbonate stimulation and acidizing
• Experimental design and laboratory research
• Integrated fracture-reservoir modeling
• Unconventional reservoir development
• Experience developing numerical models and analyzing complex datasets.
• Familiarity with scientific programming and data analysis tools, preferably Python.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate technical findings to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Industry experience in unconventional oil and gas development.
• Experience with hydraulic frac