6 free templates by sub-discipline: general, reservoir, drilling, completions, small operator, and entry vs senior, with the FLSA exempt classification and an honest note on who actually hires the role. Download as DOCX.
A petroleum engineer devises methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production: evaluating reservoirs, designing drilling and completion plans, and improving recovery across the life of a well. It is a high-skill, high-pay engineering profession, and it is also an unusual one to hire for, because who actually employs a petroleum engineer is concentrated at the large end of the industry, while most small operators use consultants instead.
This page covers the role honestly: templates for each sub-discipline, plus a clear note on who hires W-2 versus who uses contractors. The six templates below cover a general petroleum engineer, reservoir, drilling, completions and production, a small independent operator generalist, and an entry-versus-senior pair, each with the FLSA classification built in. For the fundamentals behind any posting, the guide to writing a job description is a useful companion.
TL;DR
A petroleum engineer improves oil and gas extraction and production across reservoir, drilling, completions, and production work (federal occupation 17-2171). The role is exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption, so overtime does not apply. Median pay is high, about $141,280 a year (May 2024). Most are hired by large operators and oilfield service companies; small independent operators usually use consultants instead of a full-time hire. Download six templates as DOCX, by sub-discipline.
What a Petroleum Engineer Does
A petroleum engineer devises and improves methods to extract and produce oil and gas. The work covers evaluating reservoirs, designing drilling and completion programs, optimizing production, and improving recovery from new and existing wells, all while meeting safety and environmental standards.
The federal occupation is 17-2171 Petroleum Engineers, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics describes as devising methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field, and engineers work in both offices and at drilling and well sites.
Sub-Disciplines and Titles
Petroleum engineering splits into sub-disciplines, and naming the right one is the difference between attracting the right candidate and a generic miss.
Sub-discipline
Focus
When to use it
Reservoir engineer
Reserves, modeling, forecasting
Estimating and optimizing recovery
Drilling engineer
Well design and drilling ops
Planning and drilling wells
Completions engineer
Completion and stimulation
Bringing wells online
Production engineer
Output and interventions
Optimizing producing wells
Generalist
All of the above, scaled down
A small operator's single hire
The practical takeaway: a specialized operation should hire by sub-discipline using the matching template, while a small operation that needs one person across everything should use the generalist version, with the consultant caveat in mind.
Petroleum Engineer Duties and Responsibilities
Petroleum engineer duties cluster into four areas: reservoir and reserves, drilling and completions, production and recovery, and safety and reporting. The emphasis shifts by sub-discipline, but the categories hold across the role.
Reservoir and reserves
Evaluate reservoirs and recovery potential
Estimate recoverable reserves
Model and forecast production
Drilling and completions
Design well drilling programs
Plan completions and stimulation
Select equipment, fluids, and procedures
Production and recovery
Optimize production from existing wells
Diagnose and resolve production declines
Plan workovers and artificial lift
Safety and reporting
Ensure safety and environmental compliance
Prepare technical and reserves reports
Collaborate with operations and geoscience
A reservoir engineer leans on the first group; a drilling engineer on the second. For a structured way to scope the role to your operation before posting, the guide to defining job responsibilities walks through the process.
Which Template Should You Use?
Pick the template by sub-discipline and seniority. The core structure is the same across all six, and every one includes the FLSA exempt classification note that most generic templates leave out.
General Petroleum Engineer
Baseline
The universal version: evaluate reservoirs, design drilling and completion plans, and improve recovery across new and existing wells. Adapt to your operation.
Reservoir Engineer
Reserves and modeling
For reserves estimation and reservoir optimization: modeling, production forecasting, and reserves reporting support.
Drilling Engineer
Well design
For designing and overseeing well drilling: well programs, casing and fluids, and drilling operations from spud to completion.
Completions / Production
Bring wells online
For completing wells and optimizing production: completion design, stimulation, artificial lift, and production performance.
Small Independent Operator
Generalist, with caveat
A generalist version for a small operator, with an honest W-2 versus consultant note, since most small operators use contractors rather than a full-time engineer.
Entry-Level vs Senior
Dual level
A dual template differentiating an entry-level engineer from a senior one by autonomy, complexity, and experience, both exempt.
Match the Sub-Discipline
Reserves and modeling: Reservoir Engineer. Designing and drilling wells: Drilling Engineer. Completing wells and optimizing output: Completions / Production. A small operator needing one generalist: Small Independent Operator (and read the consultant note first). Differentiating junior from senior: Entry-Level vs Senior. When in doubt, the General version is the baseline to adapt.
Download all six as a single Word document or copy individual templates. Each follows the same structure: company overview, position summary, key responsibilities, qualifications, a classification note, and how to apply, with an EEO statement. Fill in the brackets and post.
Download All 6 Job Description Templates
General, reservoir, drilling, completions and production, small operator, and entry vs senior petroleum engineer. All in one DOCX.
Template 1: General Petroleum Engineer
The universal version: evaluate reservoirs, design drilling and completion plans, and improve recovery across new and existing wells. Adapt to your operation.
Petroleum Engineer Job Description (General)
PETROLEUM ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION (GENERAL)
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Engineering Manager / Chief Engineer]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional)
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
ABOUT [COMPANY NAME]
[One or two sentences about your company, the basins or assets you operate, and
the engineering team this role will join.]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Petroleum Engineer to devise and improve methods for
oil and gas extraction and production. You will evaluate reservoirs, design and
optimize drilling and completion plans, and improve recovery from new and existing
wells, working with the engineering and operations teams.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Evaluate oil and gas reservoirs and recovery potential
•Design and optimize drilling, completion, and production plans
•Analyze well and reservoir data and performance
•Recommend methods to improve recovery and efficiency
•Monitor production and troubleshoot operations
•Ensure work meets safety and environmental standards
•Collaborate with geologists, operations, and field staff
•Prepare technical reports and recommendations
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field
•Knowledge of reservoir, drilling, completion, or production engineering
•Strong analytical and modeling skills
•Familiarity with industry software and standards
•Ability to work in office and field settings
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward it
•Experience in your basin, play, or operation type
•Reservoir simulation or specialized software experience
CLASSIFICATION NOTE (read before posting)
This role is exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption, since it
requires advanced knowledge in a field of science acquired through a bachelor's
degree in engineering. At typical petroleum-engineer pay it also clears the highly
compensated employee threshold, so overtime tracking does not apply. This is
general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 2: Reservoir Engineer
For reserves estimation and reservoir optimization: modeling, production forecasting, and reserves reporting support.
Reservoir Engineer Job Description
RESERVOIR ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Engineering Manager / Chief Engineer]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional)
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Reservoir Engineer to estimate recoverable reserves and
optimize how oil and gas are produced from our assets. You will model reservoir
behavior, forecast production, and support reserves reporting and development
decisions.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Estimate recoverable reserves and resource potential
•Build and run reservoir models and production forecasts
•Analyze pressure, flow, and well-test data
•Support reserves reporting and economic evaluations
•Recommend recovery and development strategies
•Monitor reservoir performance over time
•Collaborate with geoscience and operations teams
•Prepare technical and reserves documentation
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field
•Reservoir engineering and modeling experience
•Strong analytical and forecasting skills
•Familiarity with reservoir simulation software
•Understanding of reserves standards
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•PE license or progress toward it
•Experience with reserves reporting frameworks
•Basin- or play-specific experience
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
Exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption (advanced knowledge in a
field of science through an engineering degree); typical pay also clears the
highly compensated employee threshold. This is general information, not legal
advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Still Using Spreadsheets for Onboarding?
Automate documents, training assignments, task management, and track onboarding progress in real time.
For designing and overseeing well drilling: well programs, casing and fluids, and drilling operations from spud to completion.
Drilling Engineer Job Description
DRILLING ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Drilling Manager / Engineering Manager]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional)
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a Drilling Engineer to design and oversee the drilling of
oil and gas wells safely, efficiently, and on budget. You will plan well programs,
select equipment and fluids, and support operations from spud to completion.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
•Design well drilling programs and casing plans
•Select drilling fluids, equipment, and procedures
•Plan and monitor drilling cost and schedule
•Support drilling operations and troubleshoot issues
•Ensure compliance with safety and environmental rules
•Analyze drilling data and improve performance
•Coordinate with rig crews, vendors, and operations
•Prepare drilling reports and after-action reviews
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field
•Drilling engineering or field experience
•Knowledge of well design and drilling operations
•Strong problem-solving under operational pressure
•Willingness to travel to drilling sites
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•PE license or progress toward it
•Experience with the well types you drill
•Well-control certification
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
Exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption; typical pay also clears the
highly compensated employee threshold. Note that drilling roles can involve
extended shifts and site travel, which does not change exempt status. This is
general information, not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 4: Completions / Production Engineer
For completing wells and optimizing production: completion design, stimulation, artificial lift, and production performance.
Completions / Production Engineer Job Description
COMPLETIONS / PRODUCTION ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Engineering Manager / Production Manager]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional)
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
POSITION SUMMARY
[Company Name] is hiring a [Completions / Production] Engineer to bring wells on
line and keep them producing efficiently. You will design completions, optimize
production, and manage the performance of producing wells across their life.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES (CHOOSE YOUR FOCUS)
Completions:
•Design completion and stimulation programs
•Select equipment and oversee completion operations
•Evaluate completion performance and improve designs
Production:
•Optimize production from existing wells
•Diagnose and resolve production declines
•Plan artificial lift and well interventions
Both:
•Analyze well and production data
•Ensure safety and environmental compliance
•Coordinate with field operations and vendors
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related field
•Completions or production engineering experience
•Strong data analysis and optimization skills
•Field and office work capability
•Knowledge of well operations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•PE license or progress toward it
•Artificial lift or stimulation experience
•Basin- or play-specific experience
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
Exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption; typical pay also clears the
highly compensated employee threshold. This is general information, not legal
advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
Template 5: Petroleum Engineer for a Small Independent Operator
A generalist version for a small operator, with an honest W-2 versus consultant note, since most small operators use contractors rather than a full-time engineer.
Petroleum Engineer Job Description for a Small Independent Operator
Template 6: Entry-Level vs Senior Petroleum Engineer (Dual)
A dual template differentiating an entry-level engineer from a senior one by autonomy, complexity, and experience, both exempt.
Entry-Level vs Senior Petroleum Engineer Job Description (Dual)
ENTRY-LEVEL vs SENIOR PETROLEUM ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION (DUAL)
Company: __
Location: [City, State]
Reports to: [Engineering Manager]
Employment type: Full-time, W-2
FLSA status: Exempt (learned professional)
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
HOW TO USE THIS TEMPLATE
Pick the level you are hiring for. Both levels are exempt and require an
engineering degree; the difference is autonomy, complexity, and experience.
ENTRY-LEVEL PETROLEUM ENGINEER
Position summary: Support senior engineers with analysis, modeling, and field
work while building experience across reservoir, drilling, and production.
Key responsibilities:
•Support reservoir, drilling, or production analysis
•Collect and analyze well and production data
•Assist with models, forecasts, and reports
•Learn operations through office and field work
•Follow safety and environmental procedures
Qualifications:
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or related field
•0 to 3 years of experience, internships valued
•Strong analytical foundation and willingness to learn
SENIOR PETROLEUM ENGINEER
Position summary: Lead engineering on complex assets with minimal supervision,
mentor junior engineers, and drive development and recovery decisions.
Key responsibilities:
•Lead engineering for assigned assets or projects
•Own reservoir, drilling, or production strategy
•Mentor and review junior engineers
•Drive development, recovery, and capital decisions
•Interface with leadership, partners, and regulators
Qualifications:
•Bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering; PE preferred
•8+ years of experience and specialization
•Proven leadership and technical judgment
CLASSIFICATION NOTE
Both levels are exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption. Typical pay
at both levels generally clears the federal salary threshold, and senior roles
also clear the highly compensated employee threshold. This is general information,
not legal advice.
COMPENSATION AND HOW TO APPLY
Compensation: $_____ per year [+ bonus]
To apply, send your resume to __ by _.
[Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.
FLSA Classification
Classification for a petroleum engineer is straightforward, which is itself worth stating clearly in the posting.
Exempt Under the Learned Professional Exemption
A petroleum engineer is exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption, because the role requires advanced knowledge in a field of science acquired through a bachelor's degree in engineering, which the Department of Labor treats as a field of science or learning. At typical petroleum engineer pay, the role also clears the highly compensated employee threshold, an additional basis for exemption. The role is therefore salaried and exempt, and overtime tracking does not apply, even though drilling work can involve extended shifts and travel.
Because the role is exempt, the overtime tracking that drives HR work for hourly roles is not a factor here. Keep the posting neutral and inclusive: the EEOC prohibits job advertisements that show a preference based on a protected characteristic. For the full classification test, the exempt versus non-exempt guide explains the learned professional exemption that applies to engineers.
Petroleum Engineer Pay
Petroleum engineers are among the highest-paid engineers, so benchmark carefully to the sub-discipline, basin, and experience level.
Median About $141,280 a Year (BLS)
Petroleum engineers had a median annual wage of $141,280 (about $67.92 an hour) as of the May 2024 data, with the lowest 10 percent under $78,840 and the highest 10 percent over $228,790 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Employment is about 19,600, projected to grow just 1 percent through 2034, with roughly 1,200 openings a year.
Pay runs highest in management of companies, oil and gas extraction, and petroleum manufacturing, and somewhat lower in engineering services. Because the role is salaried and exempt, compensation is typically a base plus bonus rather than an hourly rate. For a posting, benchmark to the sub-discipline and your region, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required.
Who Actually Hires a Petroleum Engineer
This is the honest part that generic templates skip. Petroleum engineering hiring is concentrated at the enterprise end of the industry, which shapes whether a full-time job description is even the right tool.
Most petroleum engineers are hired by large operators and oilfield service companies
Petroleum engineering is concentrated at the enterprise end of the industry. The largest employers are oil and gas extraction and support activities for mining, which together account for well over half of the jobs, followed by management of companies and petroleum manufacturing. These are large operators and oilfield service companies with their own engineering departments and HR teams. If you are a large operator or service company, hire by sub-discipline (reservoir, drilling, completions, production) and use the matching template above. This is general information, not legal advice.
Small independent operators usually use consultants, not a full-time engineer
The thousands of small independent oil and gas producers in the United States, which employ only a handful of people each on average, mostly do not keep a salaried petroleum engineer on staff. The engineering workload at a small operation rarely justifies a full-time specialist, so small operators typically engage independent reserves and reservoir consulting firms or 1099 contractors for reserves reports and reservoir work. Before writing a full-time job description, decide honestly whether you need a W-2 hire or a consulting engagement. If it is a consultant, use a contractor agreement instead of an employee job description.
The role is exempt, so onboarding, not overtime, is where the HR work is
A petroleum engineer is an exempt learned professional, and at typical pay the role also clears the highly compensated employee threshold, so overtime tracking is not the concern. The people-operations work for this hire is the rest of onboarding: a signed offer, the new hire paperwork, confidentiality and IP agreements that matter in a technical field, safety and site documentation, and storage of the PE license and credentials. FirstHR fits this side for a smaller operator or service company: e-signature for the offer and agreements, onboarding workflows, and document management for credentials and records. To be clear about scope, FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an engineering, reservoir, or field-operations system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so pair it with those providers. Applicant tracking is coming soon.
If you are a smaller operator weighing a hire, the practical priorities are deciding W-2 versus consultant first, scoping the generalist role honestly if you do hire, and classifying it as exempt. The small-business hiring guide covers the broader process for an owner hiring without HR.
From Hiring to Onboarding
The job description is step one. Once a candidate accepts, the same role becomes the basis for the offer, the exempt classification, and a structured onboarding. Because this is a technical, safety-sensitive field, a clean process protects the operation and the engineer.
Send the offer
Confirm the role, the exempt salary, bonus, and start date in writing, with the offer letter and any confidentiality or IP agreement signed by e-signature.
Classify as exempt
Record the learned professional exemption in the employee profile; overtime tracking does not apply at this level.
Onboard for safety and site
Run safety, environmental, and site orientation, and capture the acknowledgments a technical field role requires.
Store the records
Keep the signed job description, the PE license and credentials, and technical agreements organized in one place.
Once your offer is ready, the offer letter template handles the terms, and an onboarding template gives the new engineer a structured start. FirstHR connects the offer, e-signatures, confidentiality and IP agreements, and the onboarding workflow in one place, with document management for the signed job description, the PE license, and credentials, and a way to record the exempt classification in the employee profile. FirstHR is an onboarding and HR platform, not an engineering or field-operations system, and it does not run payroll or administer benefits, so connect those separately. Applicant tracking is coming soon to FirstHR.
Key Takeaways
A petroleum engineer improves oil and gas extraction and production across reservoir, drilling, completions, and production work; federal occupation 17-2171.
The role is exempt under the FLSA learned professional exemption, so it is salaried and overtime does not apply.
Median pay is high, about $141,280 a year (May 2024), among the highest of all engineering roles.
Most petroleum engineers are hired by large operators and oilfield service companies, not small businesses.
Small independent operators usually use reserves and reservoir consultants or 1099 contractors rather than a full-time engineer.
Use the template that matches the sub-discipline: general, reservoir, drilling, completions or production, small operator, or entry vs senior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a petroleum engineer do?
A petroleum engineer devises methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production. Day to day, that means evaluating reservoirs and recovery potential, designing and optimizing drilling and completion plans, analyzing well and reservoir data, recommending methods to improve recovery and efficiency, monitoring production, and ensuring work meets safety and environmental standards. The federal occupation is 17-2171 Petroleum Engineers. The work spans the full life of a well, and engineers usually specialize into sub-disciplines such as reservoir, drilling, completions, or production engineering. Petroleum engineers work in offices and at drilling and well sites, and the role typically requires a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related engineering field. Travel to sites, sometimes remote or offshore, is common.
What are the main types of petroleum engineer?
Petroleum engineering divides into several sub-disciplines, and naming the right one helps you hire correctly. A reservoir engineer estimates recoverable reserves and optimizes how oil and gas are produced from a reservoir, using modeling and forecasting. A drilling engineer designs and oversees the drilling of wells, including well programs, casing, and fluids. A completions engineer designs how a well is finished and stimulated to produce. A production engineer optimizes output from existing wells and manages declines and interventions. Some roles, especially at small operators, combine these into a generalist position. Each sub-discipline has its own template on this page. Match the title and duties to the actual scope of the role rather than using a generic petroleum engineer posting for a specialized need.
Is a petroleum engineer exempt or non-exempt under the FLSA?
A petroleum engineer is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act learned professional exemption. The role requires advanced knowledge in a field of science, acquired through a prolonged course of specialized study, namely a bachelor's degree in petroleum or related engineering, which is exactly what the learned professional exemption covers; the Department of Labor treats engineering as a field of science or learning. At typical petroleum engineer pay, the role also clears the highly compensated employee threshold, which provides an additional basis for exemption. As a result, the role is salaried and exempt, and overtime tracking does not apply, even though drilling work can involve extended shifts and site travel. Classification should always follow the actual duties and pay, so confirm any unusual case. This is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a petroleum engineer make?
Petroleum engineers are among the highest-paid engineers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $141,280 as of the May 2024 data, about $67.92 an hour, with the lowest 10 percent under $78,840 and the highest 10 percent over $228,790. Pay is highest in management of companies, oil and gas extraction, and petroleum manufacturing, and somewhat lower in engineering services. Even entry-level petroleum engineering pay is high relative to most occupations. Because the role is exempt and salaried, compensation is usually a base salary plus bonus rather than an hourly rate. For a posting, benchmark to the sub-discipline, your basin, and experience level, and include a good-faith range where pay transparency is required. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who hires petroleum engineers?
Petroleum engineers are hired mostly by large employers. The biggest employers are oil and gas extraction companies and support activities for mining, which together account for more than half of the jobs, followed by management of companies and petroleum and coal products manufacturing. These are large operators and oilfield service companies with their own engineering departments. Small independent operators, which make up most of the producers in the country and employ only a handful of people each on average, generally do not keep a full-time petroleum engineer on staff; instead they use independent reserves and reservoir consulting firms or 1099 contractors for the engineering work they need. So if you are a small operator, the honest first question is whether you need a W-2 hire at all, or a consulting engagement. This is general information, not legal advice.
Should a small operator hire a petroleum engineer or use a consultant?
Most small independent operators use a consultant rather than hiring a full-time petroleum engineer, and that is usually the right call. The engineering workload at a small operation, often a handful of wells, rarely justifies a salaried specialist who commands a high six-figure market rate. Independent reserves and reservoir consulting firms and 1099 contractors handle reserves reports, reservoir work, and periodic engineering needs cost-effectively for small producers. A full-time W-2 hire makes sense only when the workload is steady and large enough to keep an engineer busy, which typically means a larger operation. Decide based on the actual, ongoing engineering workload. If you choose a consultant, use a contractor agreement rather than an employee job description; the small-operator template on this page includes a note on exactly this decision. This is general information, not legal advice.
What qualifications does a petroleum engineer need?
A petroleum engineer typically needs a bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering or a related engineering field such as mechanical, civil, or chemical engineering. Employers also value practical experience, which candidates often gain through internships during their studies. Beyond the degree, the core qualifications are strong analytical and modeling skills, familiarity with the relevant sub-discipline (reservoir, drilling, completions, or production), knowledge of industry software and standards, and the ability to work in both office and field settings. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is valued and sometimes required for senior roles or for work that must be certified, though many working engineers progress toward it over time. For a posting, scale the required qualifications and licensure to the sub-discipline and seniority so you attract well-matched candidates.
What should a petroleum engineer job description include?
A strong petroleum engineer job description names the sub-discipline up front, whether reservoir, drilling, completions, production, or a small-operator generalist, and the seniority level, so candidates self-select correctly. It summarizes the role, then lists duties grouped into reservoir and reserves, drilling and completions, production and recovery, and safety and reporting, scaled to the focus. It states the required education, namely a bachelor's degree in petroleum or related engineering, and any preferred PE license. It should set the FLSA classification as exempt under the learned professional exemption, since this is a salaried role where overtime does not apply. For a small operator, it is worth being honest about whether a W-2 hire or a consultant fits. Close with the compensation, a good-faith range where required, an equal opportunity statement, and clear application instructions. This is general information, not legal advice.
