Senior Drilling Engineer

Woodside Energy; Houston (TX); Remote; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Woodside Energy USA Services Inc. in Houston, TX is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer to plan and deliver segments of projects and whole well designs within a cross-disciplinary team.

The role emphasizes independent problem solving, teamwork, and clear technical communication, with travel as needed. You will develop well designs for onshore/offshore operations, perform hydraulics and cost analyses, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards while driving continuous improvement

Job description

Original Posting Date: 11/11/2026

Job Title: Senior Drilling Engineer

Location: Houston, TX

Work Model: Telecommuting permitted

Purpose and Objective

Woodside Energy USA Services Inc. seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer at our Houston, TX location to plan and deliver segments of projects and whole well designs within a team.

Expectations and Tasks

• Plan and deliver segments of projects and whole well designs within a team;
• Collaborate across disciplines to share knowledge and achieve objectives;
• Work independently and solve complex problems with some supervision;
• Make recommendations on project direction and scope;
• Learn new projects quickly and can adjust to unexpected and changing conditions;
• Prepare high-quality written work and make clear concise presentations;
• Continuously demonstrates professional and ethical behavior;
• Cost, time, and resource planning;
• Offset well reviews and conceptual design;
• Evaluation of casing seat, load cases, well architecture, and stress analysis;
• Designing the well trajectory and survey program. Performing drill string design and drilling hydraulics;
• Designing a cement slurry for each casing string to achieve zonal isolation;
• Selecting drilling fluid systems;
• Selection of drilling materials including OCTG's, wellheads and liner hangers. Recommendations for bits and drilling mechanics;
• New drilling tool technology evaluations and recommendations;
• Well acceptance criteria, barriers and well integrity work. Preparation of drilling programs, load out lists, contingency plans, and MOCs. Pre-spud meetings, post-well or post-campaign reviews;
• Review daily activity reports to ensure accuracy and appropriate level of detail. Operational support. problem solving, contingency planning, record keeping;
• Participate in After Action Reviews and ensure Lessons Learned are captured;
• Participate in field audits, visits, and site based HSE programs;

Education and Occupational Experience

Bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent in Engineering, or a related field of study and nine (9) years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.

Qualifications/Skills and Competencies Experience

Experience must include two (2) years involving each of the following:

• Developing engineering well designs and programs for onshore or offshore drilling operations, including casing design, cementing programs, drilling fluids, well control requirements, and bottom hole assembly configurations;
• Preparing drilling cost estimates and AFE level budgets, tracking actual expenditures, and performing quantitative cost variance analysis against approved estimates;
• Performing standard drilling engineering calculations, including hydraulics modeling, torque and drag analysis, equivalent circulating density (ECD), surge and swab analysis, and pore pressure and fracture gradient evaluation, using industry standard engineering methods;
• Evaluating technical specifications and performance criteria for drilling services and equipment suppliers, including drilling tools, fluids, casing, and cementing services;
• Conducting formal drilling risk assessments, including hazard identification and mitigation planning, in accordance with established health, safety, and environmental standards and regulatory requirements;
• Analyzing offset well data and drilling performance data to assess rate of penetration, non productive time, and equipment performance, and incorporating findings into future well designs;
• Designing and verifying well integrity and well barrier configurations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations, industry standards, and documented engineering practices; and
• Preparing and reviewing technical drilling documentation, including well programs, daily drilling reports, and end of well reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and record retention compliance.

Certifications Required

Well Control - IADC or IWCF Supervisor Level 4 Combined Surface/Subsea Stacks.

Travel

Position requires up to 10% domestic and international travel to various drilling locations or regional offices for operational support and coordination.