Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Research Engineer

Leidos; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos seeks an exceptional Research Engineer to pursue cutting-edge oil recovery research at NETL's Pittsburgh site. You will lead lab investigations on unconventional reservoirs, integrating rock and fluid analyses with modeling to optimize recovery under DOE collaboration.

The role involves cross-disciplinary teamwork with geologists, chemists, and computer scientists, employing advanced diagnostics and lab facilities to advance fossil energy technology and publication quality research.

Qualifications

• Master's degree with 6+ years of relevant experience or PhD with 4+ years.
• Experience interpreting XRD, CT, SEM for mineral analysis.
• Experience with interfacial science: contact angle, interfacial tension.
• Experience with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance scanning for oil saturation mapping.
• Ability to analyze complex data with Python or MATLAB.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary research teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead rock characterization and mineral analysis to map oil saturation.
• Lead fluid characterization including PVTx, interfacial tension, and wettability assessments.
• Design and conduct lab tests simulating sub-surface conditions to improve recovery.
• Collaborate with reservoir modeling to integrate lab results with field-scale models.
• Lead evaluation of fracture and proppant properties under stress.
• Engage with industry experts and DOE partners to advance fossil energy tech.
• Conduct literature reviews and summarize current knowledge.
• Document findings in peer-reviewed studies and reports.

Skills

XRD/CT/SEM mineral analysis

Interfacial science & wettability

NMR oil saturation mapping

Python/MATLAB data analysis

Rock & fluid characterization

Education

Master’s degree in petroleum engineering or related field

Ph.D. in petroleum engineering or related field

Job description

We are seeking an exceptional and motivated Research Engineer interested in pursuing their passion by working side-by-side with world experts as a research scientist at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory’s (NETL) Pittsburgh, PA site.

In this role, you will work as part of Leidos’s leading Research & Development laboratory team supporting DOE at NETL to pursue cutting-edge research on enhancing oil production from unconventional reservoirs. Specifically, you will work with NETL’s Production team to address the challenges of low permeability and complex fluid dynamics in shale formations by developing and testing secondary recovery methods, such as the injection of water, natural gas, or carbon dioxide with additives. In this role, you will engage with world-class researchers and engineers integrating expertise in reservoir engineering, subsurface geochemistry, fluid characterization, geomechanics, and advanced diagnostic imaging, including leading DOE scientists and external partners to advance fossil energy technology through scientific and technological innovation that addresses the optimization of oil recovery mechanisms.

What this opportunity with Leidos supporting NETL uniquely provides you:

• Working on applied, cutting-edge projects with global impact side by side with the nation’s leading energy scientists and engineers.
• Real-world experience supplemented with technical development and discussions that provide unique insight into the broad range of mission critical engineering and scientific disciplines NETL leverages to support national energy research and policy development.
• Access to world-class, customized facilities and computational assets specific to high impact energy research, technology generation, and product development.
• Support proposal development focused on expanding industry and scientific partnerships and developing new technical opportunities for NETL with federal guidance.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead rock characterization of oil saturation mapping, mineral analysis, porosity and permeability.
• Lead fluid characterization including pressure-volume-temperature measurements, interfacial tension, KPAAR, contact angle measurements and additive evaluation for fluid selection optimization.
• Design and conduct laboratory tests aimed at enhancing oil and gas recovery from unconventional reservoirs by simulating subsurface conditions, quantifying oil and gas recovery rates and determining dominant recovery mechanisms under various injection scenarios.
• Lead collaboration with reservoir modeling team to integrate laboratory results with field-scale models.
• Lead evaluation of fracture and proppant properties under varying stress conditions.
• Lead engagement with key industry experts, leading scientists, using state-of-the-art equipment, and contributing to broader DOE goals for secure and efficient oil and gas systems.
• Perform extensive and comprehensive literature reviews and summarize the state of knowledge for various topics relevant to enhanced oil recovery.
• Interpret model outputs and document findings in peer-reviewed studies, technical reports, and internal/external presentations.
• Lead collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, including geologists, geographers, chemists, computer scientists, environmental scientists, and other researchers to accomplish project related tasks.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in petroleum engineering or related scientific/engineering field with 6+ years of job-related experience, or a Ph.D. and 4+ years of job-related experience.
• Experience interpreting XRD, CT and SEM for mineral analysis.
• Experience with interfacial science by conducting contact angle measurements, interfacial tension and wettability alteration.
• Experience utilizing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance scanning for oil saturation mapping.
• Experience interpreting complex experimental data using tools like python or MATLAB.
• Experience conducting research as part of a multi-disciplinary team of scientists in a leadership role.
• Experience developing and testing surfactant chemistry to maximize reservoir sweep efficiency.
• Experience with chemical EOR design such as surfactants, polymers and injected gas systems.
• Ability to meet the requirement for gaining access to work on the NETL campus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Mastery of, and skill in applying, advanced theories, concepts, and principles of petroleum engineering, particularly concerning enhanced oil and gas recovery in unconventional reservoirs.
• Experience using Artificial Intelligence to predict field performance and accurately model unconventional formations.

Salary Range for this position: $120K to $130K

Pay Range:

Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.