Sr. Electrical Engineer

Job Summary:

CNPC USA is seeking a highly experienced Senior Electrical Engineer to lead the design, development, and qualification of high-temperature electronics for MWD/LWD systems. This position is a key technical role responsible for downhole electronic architecture, high-temperature circuit design, power management, sensor interfacing, and electronics reliability in extreme drilling environments.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience developing electronics rated 175 °C (preferably up to 200 °C) for MWD/LWD tools, with a strong understanding of downhole constraints such as shock, vibration, pressure, and thermal cycling. This role will directly support technology maturation from concept through field deployment and commercialization.

Responsibilities:

- Lead the electrical and electronic design of high-temperature MWD/LWD tools, including system-level architecture and module-level circuit design.

- Design and validate high-temperature electronics, including:

- Power management and battery systems

- Analog and digital signal conditioning

- Sensor interfaces (pressure, temperature, inclination, azimuth, vibration, etc.)

- High-temperature components, packaging, and interconnects

- Develop and review schematics, PCB layouts, and component selections suitable for extreme downhole environments.

- Collaborate with firmware engineers on hardware-firmware integration, diagnostics, and fault tolerance.

- Define and execute electronics testing and qualification plans, including thermal aging, shock, vibration, pressure, and HALT/HASS testing.

- Support tool-level integration with mechanical, firmware, and system teams to ensure robust performance of complete MWD/LWD assemblies.

- Participate in field trials, analyze electronics performance, and support failure analysis and root-cause investigations.

- Support technology commercialization, including design documentation, manufacturing transfer, supplier engagement, and quality control.

- Interface with component vendors, foundries, packaging suppliers, and external testing laboratories for high-temperature electronics.

- Provide technical mentorship to junior engineers and contribute to long-term electronics technology roadmaps.

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

- Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Demonstrated experience in high-temperature electronics development for MWD/LWD or other downhole tools, preferably- 175 °C rated systems.

- Strong background in:

- Analog and digital circuit design

- Power electronics and battery management

- Sensor electronics and signal integrity

- High-temperature component selection and derating

- Experience with downhole electronics packaging, thermal management, and reliability engineering.

- Familiarity with structured verification, validation, and qualification processes for downhole tools.

- Strong analytical, documentation, and cross-functional communication skills.

Preferred Experience:

- Experience with commercial MWD/LWD platforms and downhole telemetry systems (mud pulse, EM, wired drill pipe).

- Knowledge of shock, vibration, and thermal modeling for downhole electronics.

- Experience in electronics failure analysis, reliability growth testing, and field-return investigations.

- Prior exposure to manufacturing scale-up and supplier qualification for oilfield electronics.

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10lbs and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Travel:

This position may require international and domestic travel. Travel between all CNPC USA locations and testing facilities is required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, however, does act as a mentor and point of contact for less experienced engineers.

CNPC USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered regardless of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Disclaimer: The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.