Senior Drilling Engineer

Cornerstone Engineering, Inc.; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Cornerstone Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer in Bakersfield, CA. The role demands extensive drilling engineering experience with a focus on delivering efficient wells through engineering design and operational support.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, at least 10 years’ experience, and strong analytical skills. This full-time position includes a salary range of $100,000 – $175,000 based on experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in drilling engineering.
• Ability to adapt to operational challenges.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop well plans and design casing.
• Provide technical input during execution.
• Monitor performance and apply lessons learned.
• Ensure compliance with standards and practices.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Drilling engineering experience

Analytical skills

Knowledge of drilling standards

Proficiency in engineering software

Excellent communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Drilling engineering software

Job description

Company Overview

Honey Rock Engineers & Advisors, LLC, in partnership with Cornerstone Eng. Inc., is a leading consulting firm in oil and gas well engineering and operations. We specialize in providing technical assurance, regulatory compliance, and innovative engineering solutions across the full well lifecycle. With expertise spanning planning, execution, and optimization, our team ensures safe, efficient, and cost‑effective well delivery for operators across diverse drilling environments.

Role Summary

Join our team in Bakersfield, CA, for a full-time opportunity as a Senior Drilling Engineer, with California experience. This pivotal role focuses on delivering safe, reliable, and efficient wells by providing engineering design, operational planning, and real‑time technical support. Collaborating closely with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams, the engineer will develop well programs, troubleshoot operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Salary Range: $100,000 – $175,000 depending on experience.

Key Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in drilling engineering
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with proven ability to adapt to operational challenges.
• Solid knowledge of drilling standards and processes, well control principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in drilling engineering software and data analysis tools.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and client‑facing skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Petroleum, Mechanical, or related field) is required.

Desirable Certifications

• IWCF or IADC Well Control Certification
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Relevant OSHA or HSE training.

Scope of Work

• Planning & Design – Develop well plans, casing design, mud programs, and risk assessments.
• Execution Support – Provide real‑time technical input to rig teams, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
• Optimization – Monitor performance, benchmark results, and apply lessons learned for continuous improvement.
• Compliance – Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, industry best practices, and client requirements.
• Collaboration – Partner with geoscience, completions, production, and contractor teams to deliver integrated well solutions.