Drilling Engineer
BH-329202
Posted: 19/03/2026
- Salary Negotiable. Industry Competitive
- United States Alaska Alaska
- Permanent
-
Oil & Gas
Job Description: Drilling Engineer
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Position Type: Full-Time, Office-Based
About The Operator
The Operator is a privately held exploration and production company focused on developing Alaska’s oil and gas resources, including 100% ownership of the Cosmopolitan Unit—which contains the largest undeveloped gas reservoir in the Cook Inlet basin. The company has identified enough new well targets to support several years of expansion drilling, underscoring its ambitious long‑term growth plans. With substantial proven oil & natural gas reserves capable of supplying a meaningful portion of Railbelt demand, positioned to play a critical role in strengthening Alaska’s future energy security. Through ongoing investment, advanced drilling technology, and a commitment to responsible resource development, offering exceptional opportunities for professionals who want to help deliver reliable, locally produced energy to Alaskan communities.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly capable and collaborative Drilling Engineer to support well planning, execution, and performance optimization for our Alaska drilling operations. This role requires a professional who can work effectively with regulatory bodies, internal technical teams, and service providers while delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong well design expertise, extended reach drilling experience, and the ability to manage logistics in complex operational environments.
Key Responsibilities
Permitting & Regulatory Interface
Work Environment
This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a well-established exploration and production company who is driving forward increasingly specialized and innovative solutions in the Oil & Gas Upstream industry. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without ongoing sponsorship or a visa. The successful applicant will receive competitive base salary, an annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, 401K match, holidays/ PTO, and more. For more information on this opportunity or others, please contact Christopher Moore: christopher.moore@nesfircroft.com
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Position Type: Full-Time, Office-Based
About The Operator
The Operator is a privately held exploration and production company focused on developing Alaska’s oil and gas resources, including 100% ownership of the Cosmopolitan Unit—which contains the largest undeveloped gas reservoir in the Cook Inlet basin. The company has identified enough new well targets to support several years of expansion drilling, underscoring its ambitious long‑term growth plans. With substantial proven oil & natural gas reserves capable of supplying a meaningful portion of Railbelt demand, positioned to play a critical role in strengthening Alaska’s future energy security. Through ongoing investment, advanced drilling technology, and a commitment to responsible resource development, offering exceptional opportunities for professionals who want to help deliver reliable, locally produced energy to Alaskan communities.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly capable and collaborative Drilling Engineer to support well planning, execution, and performance optimization for our Alaska drilling operations. This role requires a professional who can work effectively with regulatory bodies, internal technical teams, and service providers while delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling programs. The ideal candidate will possess strong well design expertise, extended reach drilling experience, and the ability to manage logistics in complex operational environments.
Key Responsibilities
Permitting & Regulatory Interface
- Prepare and submit drilling permit applications.
- Maintain a positive, non‑confrontational working relationship with AOGCC and other Alaska regulatory agencies.
- Design wells, including casing, cementing, fluids, hydraulics, and overall drilling programs.
- Support extended reach drilling (ERD) initiatives (preferred).
- Develop and write the Well Plan and subsequent Lessons Learned documentation.
- Work with service companies to design BHAs, drilling fluids programs, directional plans, and other technical components.
- Coordinate with the reservoir engineering team to align drilling operations with data acquisition and production goals.
- Oversee drilling logistics, equipment scheduling, and operational planning.
- Monitor daily drilling performance and support safe, efficient execution.
- Use WellView (or similar) to create reports, track daily operations, and manage cost data.
- Work independently to drive engineering tasks to completion.
- Collaborate in multidisciplinary project teams to achieve well goals, meet timelines, and support continuous improvement.
- Proven experience in drilling engineering, including well design and program execution.
- Demonstrated permitting experience and familiarity with Alaska regulatory processes.
- Ability to work effectively and respectfully with AOGCC.
- Extended reach drilling experience strongly preferred.
- Experience with drilling logistics and vendor/service company coordination.
- Proficiency with WellView or similar drilling reporting software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deliver results under time constraints.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
Work Environment
- Position is Anchorage office‑based, with periodic field or site visits as needed.
- Collaborative environment working across drilling, operations, HSE, and reservoir teams.
This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a well-established exploration and production company who is driving forward increasingly specialized and innovative solutions in the Oil & Gas Upstream industry. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without ongoing sponsorship or a visa. The successful applicant will receive competitive base salary, an annual bonus, and comprehensive benefits including medical coverage, 401K match, holidays/ PTO, and more. For more information on this opportunity or others, please contact Christopher Moore: christopher.moore@nesfircroft.com
With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.