Job Description
Senior Mechanical Engineer – MWD/LWD/RSS (Houston, TX)
We’re partnering with a top-tier drilling technology company to hire a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead design and qualification of MWD/LWD tools and Rotary Steerable Systems (RSS). You’ll own ruggedized mechanical architectures for HP/HT drilling environments – delivering reliability under shock, vibration, and high rotational speeds while meeting tight packaging constraints around sensitive electronics and sensors.
What you’ll do
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Lead end-to-end design for MWD/LWD subs, mud-pulse/EM telemetry modules, sondes, sensor housings, and RSS actuation/mechanisms (push-the-bit / point-the-bit).
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Perform structural, fatigue, thermal, and dynamic analysis (rotor-bearing systems, rotary bending, stick-slip/whirl, bit bounce) and correlate with lab/field data.
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Engineer pressure housings, feedthroughs, hermetic sealing, potting/encapsulation, vibration isolation, and thermal paths for electronics in (Apply online only) C and 20k+ psi service.
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Design flow control valves, bypass/dump valves, turbines/PDM interfaces, high-speed bearings & seals, and wear/erosion-resistant features for drilling fluids.
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Create drawings/BOMs, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), test plans, and design dossiers; lead FMEA/DFR and cross-functional reviews.
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Support assembly/FAT/SIT, root-cause field issues, and mentor junior engineers.
What you’ll bring
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BS/MS in Mechanical Engineering (or related).
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7-12+ years designing MWD/LWD or RSS hardware (sensor collars, telemetry tools, steering mechanisms, rotating assemblies).
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Proficiency in SolidWorks or Inventor and ANSYS/Abaqus (linear/nonlinear, fatigue, thermal); strong tolerance analysis & stack-ups.
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Proven reliability improvements in HP/HT, high-shock, high-RPM environments.
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Hands-on with pressure systems, seals, bearings, plastics/elastomers, and non-mag metallurgy; familiarity with API Spec 7-1 and related drilling standards.
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Clear communicator with a track record of leading design reviews and mentoring.
Nice to have
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Experience with mud-pulse or EM telemetry design, pulser valves, and turbine/PDM drives.
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Knowledge of gamma, resistivity, density, neutron, and azimuthal imaging packaging constraints.
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CFD for flow-induced vibration/erosion; coating expertise (HVOF, WC-Co, DLC, chrome carbide).
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Exposure to downhole electronics integration, potting compounds, and thermal management.
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Background in API Q1/Q2, gated NPI, PPAP, and supplier/process qualification.
Why join
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Build flagship drilling intelligence & steering tools used globally – direct line of sight from concept to rig.
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Agile, empowered team; strong budget for prototyping and test.
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Competitive base + bonus, excellent benefits, and growth path to Lead/Principal or People Manager.
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Relocation to Houston available for exceptional candidates.
Location & work setup
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Houston, TX (onsite hybrid).
Eligibility
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US work authorization required – No Sponsorship Avaliable
Apply / Refer
Apply now. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a confidential discussion.
