Drilling Operations & Performance Engineer II/III

Nabors Industries; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Nabors Industries is seeking a Drilling Operations & Performance Engineer for Nabors Drilling Solutions (NDS) in Houston, TX. You will analyze drilling performance, integrate data, and translate findings into actionable improvements across rigs and field operations.

You will partner with customers, rig teams, and product groups, advancing technology deployments and ensuring delivery of measurable performance gains. Travel to rigs is required as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in drilling performance, drilling operations, well planning, or related engineering role.
• Working knowledge of drilling operations, rig equipment, control systems, and downhole practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, identify performance opportunities, and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with analytics and visualization tools like Power BI or Spotfire.

Responsibilities

• Integrate downhole, rig equipment, and flat-time data to assess performance across the well lifecycle.
• Identify trends, root causes, and performance gaps by comparing results with plans and benchmarks.
• Translate analysis into prioritized recommendations and track impact with field and customer teams.
• Prepare customer-ready performance reviews and communicate results and next steps.
• Support field trials, pilots, and technology deployments; gather feedback and evaluate outcomes.

Skills

Data analysis

Excel

Power BI

Python

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering or related

Tools

Power BI

Spotfire

SQL

Job description

Nabors is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in about 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible hydrocarbon production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower carbon world.

Support Nabors Drilling Solutions (NDS) product lines by helping customers realize the full value of Performance Drilling technologies. You’ll work closely with customers, drilling and remote operations, training teams, and technical support to understand operational challenges and connect technology performance to results in the field. The Drilling Operations & Performance Engineer improves drilling performance across assigned rigs by analyzing operational data and working with customers, rig teams, and internal partners to turn findings into measurable improvements. The work spans well planning, drilling execution, performance reporting, and technology deployment.

In this role, your analysis can influence decisions in the field and contribute to measurable customer and operational outcomes. You’ll partner directly with customers and rig teams, collaborate across technical and product groups, and bring field insights into technology improvements. Depending on level, you can grow your impact from owning performance work for assigned rigs to leading complex, cross-rig initiatives and mentoring other engineers.

Leveling Guide

Candidates may be considered at Level II or Level III based on demonstrated capability, independence, and scope of responsibility. Years of experience are a guide; they do not determine level on their own.

Level II — 2–5 years of relevant experience

• Independently manages routine and moderately complex performance work for assigned rigs.
• Analyzes performance, prepares customer-ready reporting, and coordinates practical improvement actions.
• Resolves issues within delegated authority and escalates complex or higher-risk matters appropriately.
• Contributes to process improvements, field feedback, and peer support.

Level III — 5+ years of relevant experience

• Leads complex, high-impact, or cross- rig performance work and sets the analytical approach for difficult problems.
• Establishes or improves data, KPI, planning, and reporting standards across assigned rigs or accounts.
• Serves as a technical escalation point and trusted advisor to customer and internal leadership.
• Leads cross-functional improvement and technology initiatives, influences product priorities with field evidence, and mentors other engineers.

Integrated Well Performance Analysis

• Integrate downhole, rig equipment, and flat-time data to assess performance across the well lifecycle.
• Identify trends, root causes, and performance gaps by comparing results with plans, offset wells, and fleet benchmarks.
• Translate analysis into prioritized recommendations, then work with field and customer teams to track the impact of agreed actions.
• Select appropriate analytical methods and escalator complex or higher-risk findings as needed.

Well Planning

• Prepare and maintain well plans and configurations for assigned rigs, ensuring they reflect current well designs and operational objectives.
• Coordinate with customer drilling engineers and rig teams to gather inputs, resolve gaps, and confirm plan readiness.
• Manage plan revisions as programs change and communicate relevant impacts to operational teams.
• Resolve planning and configuration issues within delegated authority and apply established workflows and standards.

Data Quality, KPI and Performance Reporting

• Validate operational data and reporting outputs; investigate recurring data issues and coordinate corrective action with responsible teams.
• Develop and maintain KPIs, dashboards, and recurring reports covering downhole, rig equipment, and flat-time performance.
• Present customer-ready performance reviews that explain results, exceptions, and recommended next steps.
• Connect performance findings to operational outcomes and support evaluation of technology performance and adoption.

Customer Account and Field Operations Support

• Build effective working relationships with customer representatives, rig personnel, and internal partners.
• Coordinate responses to performance questions and operational issues, keeping stakeholders informed and escalating concerns when appropriate.
• Support rig-move coordination, after-action reviews, equipment reliability efforts, and training informed by performance data.
• Coordinate across drilling operations, remote operations, account management, product management, training, IT, and technical support to resolve issues and implement actions.

Technology Deployment, Product Support and Continuous Improvement

• Support field trials, pilots, and technology deployments; gather operational feedback and evaluate results against agreed objectives.
• Investigate technical and operational issues using data and field evidence; recommend corrective actions and follow through with relevant teams.
• Document field requirements, use cases, and test feedback for product and engineering teams.
• Improve analysis, reporting, data quality, and field workflows; maintain useful procedures and lessons learned.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in drilling performance, drilling operations, well planning, or a related engineering role.
• Working knowledge of drilling operations, rig equipment, control systems, and downhole practices.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, identify performance opportunities, and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience with Power BI, Spotfire, or comparable analytics and visualization tools.
• Ability to work effectively with customers, field teams, and cross-functional partners while managing multiple priorities.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including to rig sites, and follow site-specific safety requirements.

Preferred

• Experience in land drilling, directional drilling, well planning, field operations, or remote operations.
• Familiarity with well-planning software, flat-time analysis, or drilling performance KPIs.
• Experience with SQL, Python, or comparable tools for analysis, automation, or data modeling.
• Experience with drilling mechanics, automatic drillers, directional automation, or related technologies.
• Experience supporting field trials, technology deployments, or product improvement efforts.
• English and Spanish communication skills.