U.S. Oil & Gas Careers – Upstream, Midstream & Downstream Jobs
Industry Overview - The U.S. oil and gas sector is a vital component of the industrial economy, covering exploration, production, transportation, refining, and distribution. Skilled professionals are essential across the full lifecycle of the industry to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations.
At Industrial Recruitment Group (IRG), we cover technical, engineering, and commercial roles across the oil & gas supply chain, helping companies hire the right talent for upstream, midstream, and downstream operations. Our expertise spans engineering, operations, maintenance, project management, and commercial functions, giving clients access to top-tier professionals across the sector.
Key Sectors Served
Upstream: Exploration, drilling, well completion, production
Midstream: Pipeline transportation, storage, natural gas compression, processing
Downstream: Refining, petrochemical production, fuel distribution, retail
Supporting Infrastructure: Storage tanks, pumping stations, control systems
Equipment & Systems We Cover
Drilling rigs & wellhead equipment
Pumping, compression & valve systems
Pipelines & distribution infrastructure
Heat exchangers, boilers & process systems
Rotating equipment & turbomachinery
Instrumentation & control systems
Process automation & SCADA
Storage tanks, vessels & separators
Industrial safety & environmental monitoring systems
Roles We Recruit
Engineering & Technical
Petroleum, Mechanical & Process Engineers
Drilling & Production Engineers
Reservoir & Geotechnical Engineers
Electrical & Instrumentation Engineers
Project & Commissioning Engineers
Process Safety & Reliability Engineers
Operations & Production
Field Operators & Supervisors
Production Technicians
Control Room Operators
Pipeline Technicians & Operators
Maintenance & Reliability Technicians
Rotating Equipment & Pump Specialists
Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO)
Service Technicians & Field Engineers
Instrumentation & Electrical Technicians
Rotating Equipment Mechanics
Hydraulics & Pneumatics Specialists
Valve Technicians
Commercial & Office-Based Roles
Technical Sales Engineers
Account Managers & Business Development Managers
Product & Service Managers
Inside Sales & Customer Support
Procurement & Commercial Specialists
Quality, Safety & Compliance
QA/QC Engineers & Inspectors
HSE Managers & Safety Officers
Regulatory Compliance Specialists
Environmental Compliance Officers
Leadership & Executive
Plant Managers & Operations Directors
Service & Technical Managers
VP of Sales / Commercial Director
CEO / COO / CFO / CTO
Health, Safety & Compliance - Compliance is critical due to the high-risk nature of oil & gas operations:
OSHA: Safety regulations for field and industrial operations
EPA: Environmental protection, emissions, and waste handling
API & ASME Standards: Equipment, pressure vessels, and piping design
NFPA & Electrical Codes: Fire, explosion, and electrical safety
State & Local Regulations: Permitting, reporting, and compliance oversight
Key Employers & Industry Leaders
Exploration & Production: ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Occidental Petroleum
Pipeline & Midstream: Kinder Morgan, Williams Companies, Enbridge
Refining & Petrochemicals: Phillips 66, Valero Energy, Marathon Petroleum
Equipment & Service Providers: Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford
Skills & Competencies
Field operations, drilling, and production expertise
Pipeline, pumping, and compression systems
Process safety, reliability, and compliance management
Preventive, predictive, and reactive maintenance
Instrumentation, control systems, and automation
Commercial and technical sales for industrial solutions
Project management for large-scale oil & gas projects
Future Trends & Industry Outlook
Energy Transition & Decarbonization: Carbon capture, hydrogen, renewable integration
Automation & Digitalization: Remote monitoring, IoT, predictive maintenance
Workforce Development: Skilled technicians, engineers, commercial specialists
Sustainability & Environmental Compliance: Emissions reduction, efficiency
Emerging Markets: LNG, offshore wind, biofuels.
Connect with our founder below to discuss your job hunting and/or hiring needs.
