Drilling Engineer: Lead Well Planning & Field Ops

Oil Authority; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Financial Security

Work-Life Balance

Career Development

Inclusion & Recognition

Job summary

ConocoPhillips is seeking an experienced Drilling Engineer to design and execute safe, cost‑effective drilling programs across unconventional assets, working within a multi‑disciplinary team to lead well planning from concept to execution.

This role offers opportunities to apply advanced engineering, collaborate across functions, and contribute to continuous improvement in drilling performance, with emphasis on safety, environmental stewardship, and strong cross‑functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical) or foreign equivalent.
• 3 or more years’ experience in drilling engineering or operations.
• Willing and able to travel 10–20% annually.
• Willing and able to be on call outside of standard working hours.

Responsibilities

• Lead well planning and execution by developing detailed drilling programs that align with safety, cost, and performance objectives.
• Ensure regulatory compliance by preparing and submitting all required permits and maintaining adherence to federal, state, and company standards.
• Support field operations by providing daily engineering guidance to onsite personnel and troubleshooting operational challenges.
• Optimize drilling performance by analyzing drilling data to improve safety, efficiency, and operational outcomes.
• Develop and track performance metrics by setting goals, monitoring progress, and implementing improvements to support continuous improvement.
• Drive cost and schedule accuracy by collaborating with asset, planning, and finance teams to develop estimates and track accruals.
• Evaluate and standardize processes by incorporating lessons learned and proven practices from past operations.
• Conduct internal and external benchmarking studies to identify and apply best engineering and operational practices.
• Strengthen vendor relationships by evaluating bids and ensuring alignment with operational needs.
• Champion knowledge sharing by engaging with internal subject matter experts, participating in technical networks, and contributing to industry societies.
• Mentor and collaborate within a one-team environment to support technical development.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Operations experience

Leadership

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical) or foreign equivalent

Tools

WellView

Landmark

Job description

ConocoPhillips is seeking an experienced Drilling Engineer to design and execute safe, cost‑effective drilling programs across unconventional assets, working within a multi‑disciplinary team to lead well planning from concept to execution.

This role offers opportunities to apply advanced engineering, collaborate across functions, and contribute to continuous improvement in drilling performance, with emphasis on safety, environmental stewardship, and strong cross‑functional collaboration.