Field Operation Engineer

The Field Operations Engineer is a hands-on technical role responsible for the end-to-end operational lifecycle of Upwing Energy's Subsurface Compressor System (SCS) on natural gas wells. This individual will lead equipment commissioning activities, execute day-to-day monitoring of system performance, and provide expert-level troubleshooting for both downhole and surface equipment. The Field Operations Engineer serves as the primary technical representative in the field, working closely with well operators, production engineers, and Upwing's internal engineering teams to ensure safe, reliable, and optimized system performance. The ideal candidate shall have ESP experience related to Installation, commissioning and troubleshooting

Commissioning & Deployment

• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of SCS system commissioning operations on natural gas wells including VFDs, PLCs, instrumentation package, hydraulic package, electrical package etc.
• Conduct pre-commissioning equipment checks, functional testing, and system verification prior to deployment including all Upwing Energy surface equipment
• Document all commissioning activities, parameters, and outcomes in detailed field reports.

Daily Monitoring & Production Optimization

• Monitor SCS-equipped wells on a daily basis using field visits, SCADA, remote telemetry, and real-time data platforms to assess system health and production performance.
• Track key performance indicators for performance and health
• Identify deviations from expected performance baselines and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with client production and company engineering teams to optimize compressor operating setpoints for maximum gas recovery.
• Maintain accurate production logs and system performance databases.

Troubleshooting & Field Intervention

• Diagnose and resolve operational issues related to downhole compressor systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor controllers, wellhead instrumentation, and surface facilities.
• Develop and implement systematic troubleshooting protocols to identify root causes of equipment failures or performance degradation.
• Coordinate and support well intervention activities
• Work with Upwing's engineering team to escalate complex technical issues and support product improvement initiatives.

Safety, Compliance & HSE

• Champion a safety-first culture in all field operations, adhering to Upwing Energy's HSE standards and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Conduct pre-job safety meetings, job hazard analyses (JHAs), and equipment inspections prior to field activities.
• Ensure compliance with well site safety protocols, permit-to-work systems, and environmental regulations.
• Accurately report and document any near misses, incidents, or unsafe conditions.

Customer Engagement & Reporting

• Act as the primary Upwing Energy point of contact for well operators and customers at field locations.
• Prepare and deliver clear, professional field reports, performance summaries, and technical updates for both internal and customer audiences.
• Support customer training on SCS operations, monitoring procedures, and basic troubleshooting.
• Provide feedback from field interactions to inform product development, service delivery improvements, and customer satisfaction initiatives.

Skills, Experience, Education, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, or related field preferred.
• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on field operations experience in the oil and gas industry, with a strong preference for experience involving artificial lift systems, downhole equipment, or gas compression.
• Demonstrated experience commissioning and operating rotating equipment in a field environment.
• Prior exposure to SCADA systems, remote monitoring platforms, or real-time production data analysis tools strongly preferred.
• Experience working directly with well operators and third-party field service crews.
• Strong understanding of natural gas well production systems, wellhead equipment, and surface facilities.
• Familiarity with electric motor systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and power distribution equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and equipment schematics
• 5–10+ year's experience in variable speed drives and industrial automation.
• Strong knowledge of motor control, power electronics, and industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet/IP).
• Experience with PLC programming and SCADA systems.
• Experience in oil & gas. Electrical submersible pump (ESP) and production experience preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Comfort in technical communication required for customer support and training

Intangibles Sought:

• Ability and willingness to travel extensively to field locations (up to 75%) including potential overnight stays; rotational schedules may apply.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a systematic, data-driven approach to troubleshooting.
• Team player with a willingness to learn and take instructions from experienced engineers for diagnostics and prototype testing
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Integrity & honesty
• Flexibility
• Accountability
• Willingness to engage in constructive conflict

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.Candidate must be able to lead a team both on and off-site.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

Job demands both office and field work. Candidate must be able to do physical work and travel as needed. Candidate must be able and willing to travel to the United States as needed.