Location: Houston, Texas
Position status: Full-Time
Exempt Status: Exempt
Company Profile:
CNPC USA is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Company and serves as the North American headquarters. Our goal is to provide innovation, research, and development of new technologies for Oil and Gas Exploration and Production.
Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated MWD Technology Development Lead to manage development projects supporting next-generation downhole measurement while drilling technologies. This role contributes to the design, analysis, validation, and commercialization of advanced MWD tools and subsystems that must operate reliably in harsh downhole environments, including high temperature, shock, vibration, and pressure conditions.
Responsibilities:
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Design and implement high-temperature MWD system architecture, ensuring scalability, performance, and durability in extreme downhole environments.
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Design, analyze, and validate electronics systems and subsystems for MWD tools and related technologies.
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Apply engineering tools and simulation software to evaluate performance, reliability, and environmental survivability of electronics assemblies.
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Oversee tool testing and qualification, including lab validation, environmental testing, and reliability assessments, to ensure tool readiness for field deployment.
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Support field trials and initial deployments, working closely with field personnel and customers to ensure successful operation and gather performance feedback.
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Drive commercialization efforts, ensuring technical readiness and documentation for market release, while supporting product training and customer onboarding.
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Maintain close communication with MWD vendors, technology partners, and industry experts to evaluate component sourcing and leverage external capabilities.
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Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to strategic planning for MWD technology development.
Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
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Minimum five (5) years of experience in R&D, or product development.
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Proven experience in developing or engineering high-temperature MWD or LWD systems, preferably with tools rated above 175°C.
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Solid understanding of MWD components and technologies, including sensors, telemetry systems, and downhole electronics.
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Experience integrating and validating complex downhole tools through structured testing and qualification processes.
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Familiarity with MWD suppliers, component vendors, and manufacturing resources in the oilfield services industry.
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Knowledge of drilling operations and rig-site practices; prior field experience is highly desirable.
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Strong project leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Preferred Experience:
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Experience with commercial MWD platforms and downhole telemetry (mud pulse, EM, etc.).
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Familiarity with downhole vibration, shock, and thermal modeling.
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Exposure to tool failure analysis and root-cause investigation in real-world drilling environments.
Work Environment:
This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. This is a sedentary role; however, some filing, bending and the ability to lift 20lbs is required.
Travel:
This position requires some overnight international and domestic travel. Local travel between other CNPC USA locations and testing facilities is required.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position carries limited supervisory responsibilities, primarily focused on technical leadership, mentorship, and work coordination. This position is expected to:
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Provide technical direction and guidance to junior and mid-level engineers, particularly in high-temperature MWD/LWD electronics development.
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Review and approve technical designs, test plans, and engineering deliverables.
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Support task planning, work prioritization, and technical resource coordination within assigned projects.
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Contribute to performance feedback, skills development, and technical capability building of team members.
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Perform limited administrative responsibilities related to project execution, documentation, reporting, and compliance with internal engineering and quality processes.
This role does not require full people-management duties (e.g., hiring, termination, or formal HR administration), but functions as a technical lead and mentor within the engineering organization.
CNPC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
Disclaimer: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
