Manager, Subsurface Engineering & Operations
The Woodlands, TX, US, 77380
Job Summary:
Western Midstream is seeking an experienced leader for the role of Manager, Subsurface Engineering & Operations, based in The Woodlands, Texas. This position leads a multidisciplinary team of subsurface engineers, geologists, and tech supporting new and existing infrastructure for Western Midstream's produced water disposal program.
The successful candidate will set technical direction, prioritize and allocate work across disciplines, develop team capability, and hold accountability for the quality and timeliness of the team's deliverables — relying on the team to execute detailed analysis and evaluation. The role also serves as the subsurface technical voice in acquisition and divestiture opportunity reviews and in capital planning discussions with commercial, operations, and finance leadership.
Responsibilities:
- Prioritize and allocate team resources across basins and competing project demands
- Own the quality, consistency, and defensibility of subsurface deliverables — including injection interval selection, confining zone evaluation, and disposal capacity assessments
- Review and approve SWD well design, workover procedures, and injection performance recommendations
- Oversee preparation of early project scopes, estimates, and well location planning to support facility and
- gathering system design
- Serve as the subsurface interface to project management, operations, commercial, permitting, and regulatory affairs; translate technical findings into clear business recommendations
- Contribute to capital forecasting, AFE development, and project prioritization through high-quality early-phase deliverables
- Provide subsurface due diligence support for acquisition and divestiture evaluations
- Ensure work is executed in accordance with regulatory requirements (Texas Railroad Commission, New Mexico OCD, EPA UIC) and company safety and compliance standards
- Champion a strong safety culture within the team and in all field interactions
Qualifications:
- Minimum of twelve (12) years' experience in the oil and gas industry; experience with saltwater disposal or injection systems strongly preferred
- Minimum of five (5) years directly supervising technical professionals, including performance management, development planning, and workload prioritization across disciplines
- Minimum of six (6) years' combined experience in drilling, completions, or injection/disposal operations
- Knowledge of industry standards for well design, completions, and workover operations
- Functional knowledge of drilling engineering and drilling operations
- Experience interfacing with state and federal regulatory agencies
- Experience with well location planning and permitting
- Working knowledge of production and reservoir engineering, subsurface characterization, or petrophysics a plus
- Demonstrated ability to lead through others — setting direction and standards rather than performing the analysis personally
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills, with the ability to present technical conclusions to non-technical stakeholders
- Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Petroleum, Civil, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline required
- Grade and salary will be commensurate with relevant education and experience
Travel Requirements:
- Up to 10% travel to field locations as needed
Work Schedule:
- This position is eligible for the 9/80 hybrid work schedule (four 9-hour days and half-day Fridays), with in-office work on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and remote work on Wednesday and Friday
Nearest Major Market: Houston