Sr. Remote Operating Center Engineer

The ROC Engineer leads the design, build-out, and day-to-day operation of a centralized remote monitoring hub supporting all drilling and completions activities across the Southwest Business Unit asset base. This is a role requiring a seasoned upstream professional who can translate field expertise into a real-time, technology-driven operations environment. The ROC Engineer owns the center’s strategic vision, establishes escalation workflows, and serves as the primary liaison between the ROC, field operations, and engineering.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ROC Build-Out & Infrastructure

• Lead facility design and build-out, including layout, hardware, communication systems, and data integration architecture.
• Partner with IT and data engineering to establish real-time feeds from drilling rigs and completions operations into centralized dashboards (WITSML, Pason EDR, WellView, or equivalent).
• Select and onboard vendors for monitoring software, hardware, and support services; develop all SOPs and escalation protocols prior to go-live.

Team Recruitment

• Develop a staffing model with 24/7 rotating shift and lead full-cycle hiring for all ROC roles.
• Build and deliver onboarding and training programs covering wellbore monitoring, alarm response, escalation procedures, and cross-department communication.

Real-Time Monitoring & Alarm Management

• Oversee 24/7 monitoring of all active drilling and completions operations, including wellbore trajectory, ECD, pore pressure, surface parameters, and completion diagnostics.
• Ensure prompt identification and escalation of drilling hazards, mechanical failures, wellbore integrity issues, and safety-critical events to field personnel and engineering.
• Manage field camera surveillance systems for HSE compliance, security, and remote workflow verification across well sites and central tank batteries.
• Coordinate with drilling engineers, geologists, and completions engineers to deliver real-time, data-driven operational support.

Safety, Compliance & Emergency Response

• Champion a safety-first culture within the ROC; ensure all personnel are trained to identify and escalate well control situations, H2S events, and pressure anomalies.
• Maintain emergency response readiness, serving as a coordination hub during well control events or other critical incidents in alignment with the company’s Incident Command System (ICS).
• Ensure ROC operations comply with all applicable federal, state, and company HSE standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in upstream oil and gas drilling and/or completions operations.
• Prior experience in a Remote Operations Center, Integrated Operations Center (IOC), or real-time monitoring environment strongly preferred.
• Experience managing greenfield operational build-outs preferred.

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of drilling fundamentals: wellbore hydraulics, well control, directional drilling, and casing/cementing operations.
• Hands-on experience with real-time drilling and completions data platforms (WITSML, Pason EDR, WellView).
• Familiarity with data analytics and visualization tools (Power BI, Spotfire, Tableau, or similar).
• IWCF or IADC Well Control certification preferred.

Leadership & Communication

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams in a dynamic 24/7 operational environment.
• Strong decision-making capability under pressure with a calm, methodical approach to incident escalation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across field, engineering, and executive audiences.

SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).

Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.