Head of Autonomous Drilling & Intelligent Systems

Nabors; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Nabors, a global leader in energy technology, seeks a Director of Autonomy & Intelligent Systems to define the autonomy vision and execution across drilling and tubular-handling systems. You’ll lead AI-enabled controls, simulation, and safety‑critical automation, collaborating with engineering, product, and field teams to deliver scalable autonomous solutions.

You will drive the technology roadmap, oversee cross‑functional teams, and ensure reliable, measurable outcomes while advancing Nabors’

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline applicable to industrial controls and automation.
• 12+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience in controls, automation, robotics, or integrated electromechanical systems.
• 5+ years leading engineering teams, programs, or product development with delivery accountability.
• Hands-on depth in industrial controls: PLCs, real-time controls, machine sequencing, HMI, sensors/actuators, drives, and system integration.
• Experience designing or governing autonomous or semi-autonomous functions for safety-critical equipment.
• Experience integrating AI/ML into production industrial systems with data quality and human oversight.
• Experience with requirements engineering, architecture reviews, hazard analysis, V&V, configuration management and release governance.
• Ability to communicate complex technical decisions to engineers, operators, customers, and executives.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing/test sites and work around active industrial equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of autonomous systems coordinating across integrated drilling equipment.
• Translate well-construction sequences into testable automation requirements and deployment priorities.
• Drive integration with rig operating platforms so controls form a coherent rig-level system.
• Apply AI/ML to predictive operations, anomaly detection, and operator decision support.
• Ensure AI-enabled functions meet safety constraints, data quality, and cybersecurity standards.
• Guide prototype-to-production transitions with measurable success criteria and lifecycle ownership.
• Lead field trials, commissioning, and support, turning field feedback into product improvements.
• Own technology roadmap, investment priorities, resource planning, and executive communication.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Controls engineering

Robotics engineering

Industrial automation

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

12+ years engineering experience

Tools

Rockwell

Siemens

Beckhoff

B&R

National Instruments

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Nabors, a global leader in energy technology, seeks a Director of Autonomy & Intelligent Systems to define the autonomy vision and execution across drilling and tubular-handling systems. You’ll lead AI-enabled controls, simulation, and safety‑critical automation, collaborating with engineering, product, and field teams to deliver scalable autonomous solutions.

You will drive the technology roadmap, oversee cross‑functional teams, and ensure reliable, measurable outcomes while advancing Nabors’