What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mechanical Engineering Designer - Downhole Tools position at John Wood Group?
Remarkable people, trusted by clients to design and advance the world.
Wood is recruiting for a Mechanical Design Engineer to join its Operations business focusing on Oil & Gas. This a full-time onsite opportunity and would be located at our Conroe, TX office.
#LI-Onsite
The Role
Seeking a highly skilled and creative Mechanical Design Engineer with deep experience in downhole tool development, particularly in the design of positive displacement motors, friction-reduction systems (agitators), and understanding of machining/machining automation is a plus. This role will directly support our in-house downhole tool innovation group, working closely with R&D, field operations, and manufacturing to design, prototype, and iterate advanced drilling tools. Candidates must demonstrate a strong command of SolidWorks and ANSYS, a hands-on understanding of high-pressure mechanical systems, and an ability to collaborate on unconventional engineering challenges.
Our Clients and Projects
Designing the future. Transforming the world.
Wood’s Operations business delivers solutions to an ever-broadening range of clients across the energy and materials industries globally. We deliver operations, maintenance, modifications, brownfield engineering, asset optimization and management, supporting our clients through the asset lifecycle. We are focused on developing strategic relationships with our clients, providing solutions that deliver efficiency, integrity and reliability.
What we can offer
- Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to leaders of industry across Oil & Gas sectors
- Flexible working arrangements that balance client, team and individual needs.
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice
- Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market.
- Flexible benefits package that can be adapted to suit your lifestyle
- Commitment to continued professional development through development plans tailored to individual needs and interests
- Global connections with leading industry experts around the world who are shaping the standards of our profession
Typical responsibilities
- Able to drive/lead mechanical design of downhole drilling tools, including:
- Creative/R&D downhole tool design and fast improvement iteration capability
- Positive displacement / downhole drilling motors
- Agitator and vibration/friction-reduction tools
- Through Tubing Motors
- Translate conceptual ideas into manufacturable designs using SolidWorks
- Conduct FEA analysis using ANSYS to assess tool durability, fatigue, and vibration performance in HPHT and high-torque conditions
- Iterate designs based on lab testing, field trials, and feedback from engineering and drilling teams
- Collaborate with machinists, vendors, and automation teams to ensure manufacturability and ease of maintenance
- Provide technical documentation, drawings, BOMs, and support for internal and external manufacturing
- Think creatively and strategically to address failure modes, reduce tool wear, and enhance reliability
What makes you remarkable?
At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.
Expected:
- 5–15 years of mechanical engineering experience in downhole tool design
- Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks and ANSYS Mechanical/Structural
- Familiarity with material science, elastomer compatibility, and mechanical seals
- Comfortable with prototyping, design iteration, and hands-on testing
- Strong documentation, version control, and communication skills
