Senior Drilling Engineer

JM Recruiting; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JM Recruiting seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer in Dallas, TX to coordinate onshore horizontal drilling and remedial work, ensuring regulatory and safety compliance.

The role involves detailed well designs, cost estimates, and AFE preparation, while negotiating contractor bids and optimizing schedules and budgets across active field operations in major shale plays. This position requires field presence and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 5-12 years drilling engineering experience with active E&P company.
• 6+ months hands-on experience on a drilling rig.
• Preferred shale basin exposure (Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Utica, Marcellus).
• Well control certification is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to design wells and cost estimates.
• Prepare AFE proposals and drilling procedures.
• Negotiate vendor pricing and vet contractor bids.
• Maintain drilling rig schedules and daily records.
• Prepare quarterly reviews and coordinate permits.
• Identify new technologies and optimize field processes.
• Support HSE and provide field training as needed.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Well control certification (preferred)

Job description

Senior Drilling Engineer- Dallas, TX
Under general supervision, coordinates drilling of onshore horizontal oil and gas wells and/or remedial drilling work involving contract drilling crews. Ensure compliance with regulatory and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with cross-functional teams to provide detailed and documented well engineering designs and cost estimates.
• Prepares AFE proposals and procedures for drilling operations.
• Identifies and coordinates use of drilling best practices as applicable.

• Works with Drilling Manager and others to negotiate vendor pricing for capital drilling program – requires obtaining and analyzing contractor bids and vetting vendor’s operational and safety performance.
• Requires the coordination of many contractors – this must be optimized to maximize capital efficiency and to minimize time between well spud and date of first production.
• Well-developed appreciation for SIMOPS within active operating fields with company operations and activity of other operators
• Maintains drilling rig schedules.
• Reviews and maintains detailed daily reports and well records.
• Prepares quarterly well reviews for drilling activity and contractors.
• Coordinate with office staff to obtain required permits.
• Provides input into setting drilling objectives, identifying critical issues and introducing new concepts in drilling operations.
• Identifies, recommends and implements new technologies and alternatives within business processes.
• Exercises sound judgment in planning, organizing and conducting work
• assignments.
• Provides assistance, advice and solutions to co-workers on drilling related issues.
• Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.
• Supports HSE in maintaining a safe work environment.
• Periodic trips to the field for rig inspections, pre-spud meetings and contractor meetings.
• Perform other related duties and/or special projects as required.

Education and Knowledge

Bachelor’s degree in engineering.
Well control certified a plus.

Preferred Experience

5-12 years of drilling engineering experience with an active E&P company with focus on horizontal development programs.
Preferred shale basin experience in the Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Utica and/or Marcellus basins.
6+ months experience on the drilling rig.