Job Descriptions

Petroleum Engineer Job Description

What is the job description of a Petroleum Engineer? What are the duties and responsibilities of a Petroleum Engineer? What does a Petroleum Engineer do?

Job description of a Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers are responsible for assessing the potential location, quantity and quality of hydrocarbon deposits; and for planning, managing and optimizing extraction.

This Petroleum Engineer job description example includes the list of most important Petroleum Engineer duties and responsibilities as shown below. It can be modified to fit the specific Petroleum Engineer profile you're trying to fill as a recruiter or job seeker.

Petroleum Engineer Duties and Responsibilities

Petroleum Engineer job description should contain a variety of functions and roles including:

  • Develop plans for oil and gas extraction
  • Use and maintain drilling and fracturing equipment
  • Supervise drilling and extractions
  • Research new ways and new sites for oil and gas extraction
  • Analyze formation of rocks and reservoirs
  • Use computer-aided models to enable drilling
  • Determine budget and requirements of projects
  • Supervise and train technical staff
  • Collaborate with geoscientists and engineers to determine geological features

Petroleum Engineer Requirements / Skills / Qualifications

Petroleum Engineer job description should include these common skills and qualifications:

  • A Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering field.
  • An in-depth, creative knowledge of extraction techniques and principles.
  • The willingness and ability to work in remote locations, with harsh climates and often unfriendly locals.
  • The ability to handle a physically demanding and stressful work environment.
  • Good IT, research, and survey skills.
  • Strong technical, analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Good communication, interpersonal, and team working skills.
  • The willingness and ability to be held accountable for multi-million dollar operations.

As a hiring manager, recruiting an ideal Petroleum Engineer starts with crafting a good job description. Use this Petroleum Engineer job description template to save yourself time and help you attract the most qualified candidates. Feel free to revise it to meet your specific needs.

Job seekers interviewing for the role of a Petroleum Engineer may also reference it in preparation for the interview.