Production Optimization Engineering Manager
Business Unit: Artificial Lift & Production Optimization
Location: Midland or Houston, TX
Reports To: President of Production Optimization or VP of Business Development
Travel: Up to 30%
Position Summary
The Production Optimization Engineering Manager isresponsible for leading engineering initiatives focused on artificial liftoptimization, production enhancement, reliability improvement, and operationalperformance across customer oil and gas assets. This role serves as a criticaltechnical leadership position supporting sucker rod pumping systems, gas liftoperations, production surveillance, diagnostics, and optimizationtechnologies.
The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentalswith practical field experience and customer-facing leadership. This individualwill drive optimization strategies, improve artificial lift reliability,support technical sales efforts, and help establish scalable engineeringprocesses that enhance production performance and reduce operating costs.
This is a high-impact opportunity to help shape and expand agrowing production optimization organization with direct influence on technicalstrategy, operational standards, customer relationships, and future technologyinitiatives.
Core Responsibilities
Production Optimization & Artificial Lift Engineering
- Lead engineering efforts related to:
- Sucker rod pumping design and optimization
- Gas lift diagnostics and optimization
- Artificial lift surveillance
- Production enhancement initiatives
- Failure reduction programs
- Well reliability improvement
- Support development and implementation of optimization workflows and engineering best practices.
- Analyze production and operational data to identify performance improvement opportunities.
- Evaluate artificial lift system behavior and recommend corrective actions to improve runtime and efficiency.
- Assist with the development of next-generation monitoring, automation, and production optimization initiatives.
Engineering & Technical Leadership
- Lead and mentor production optimization engineers and technical personnel.
- Provide technical guidance on:
- Rod string design (proficient on RODSTAR or SROD software)
- Fluid Level Interpretation and Troubleshooting using ECHOMETER Equipment and Software.
- Dynamometer interpretation
- Gas lift performance analysis
- Corrosion and wear mechanisms
- Fatigue and loading behavior
- Failure analysis and troubleshooting
- Support technical training and development across engineering and operations teams.
- Establish engineering documentation standards, reporting structures, and optimization procedures.
Data Analytics & Surveillance
- Drive implementation of data-driven optimization methodologies and surveillance programs.
- Develop KPI tracking systems, dashboards, and performance monitoring tools.
- Analyze production trends, failure patterns, and operational data to support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support integration of surveillance systems and optimization software into daily engineering workflows.
Customer & Operational Support
- Serve as a senior technical resource for operators, field personnel, and management teams.
- Lead customer-facing technical discussions, optimization reviews, and performance presentations.
- Support field troubleshooting and operational improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate closely with Operations, Sales, and Engineering teams to ensure successful execution and customer satisfaction.
- Assist with the commercialization and deployment of new artificial lift technologies and optimization services.
Quality & Reliability Improvement
- Lead root-cause failure investigations and corrective action initiatives.
- Improve equipment reliability, runtime performance, and lifting efficiency.
- Support development of engineering standards and technical acceptance criteria.
- Assist with implementation of reliability-focused operational practices and field performance validation programs.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10+ years of artificial lift, production engineering, or production optimization experience.
- Strong understanding of:
- Sucker rod pumping systems
- Gas lift operations
- Artificial lift diagnostics
- Production surveillance
- Well failure mechanisms
- Experience supporting field operations and customer-facing engineering initiatives.
- Strong background in production optimization, failure analysis, and operational troubleshooting.
- Experience leading engineering teams and technical projects preferred.
Requirements
Preferred Background
- Artificial lift optimization
- Production engineering
- Sucker rod systems
- Gas lift systems
- Artificial lift surveillance and analytics
- Production enhancement technologies
- Oilfield operations and reliability improvement
- Data analytics and performance monitoring
Why Join Our Team
- Opportunity to help build and lead a growing production optimization organization
- Direct influence on technical strategy, optimization methodologies, and customer solutions
- Exposure to advanced artificial lift technologies and data-driven engineering initiatives
- High-visibility role with direct interaction across operations, engineering, sales, and executive leadership
- Ability to shape scalable engineering systems and long-term reliability programs
- Fast-paced and growth-oriented environment with strong technical focus
Position Characteristics
- Hands-on and solutions-oriented
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting mindset
- Comfortable in both office and field environments
- Customer-focused with strong communication skills
- Driven by operational performance and reliability improvement
- Capable of balancing technical depth with practical field execution
- Interested in building scalable systems, teams, and engineering processes
Work Environment
Work environment includes office, field, and customer-siteactivities during normal or extended business hours. Role may require travel tooperating fields, customer offices, workshops, and operational review meetings.Exposure to active oilfield operations and production environments is expected.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary
- Performance-based bonus structure
- Vehicle allowance or company vehicle
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) and retirement benefits
- Paid time off and holidays
- Professional development opportunities
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