are there is jobs in oil and gas? (Houston: lawyers, layoffs) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

structuralengineer1 · 07-13-2009, 08:44 PM

for structural engineer in oil and gas.. like fluor, jacobs, kbr, etc..

or it is dried up already here in houston?

i just got laid off..

thanks,

bamba_boy · 07-14-2009, 07:07 AM

There are always jobs for skilled facillity engineers in both upstream (production platforms) and downstream (refineries and petrochem. plants). Three oil busts (late 80's, late 90', a minor one last year after a big boom) has resulted in a huge population of 50s-60s age engineers educated before the mid-80s getting ready to retire and a dearth of young engineers to take their place. The layoffs during those busts scared many bright college engineering majors into more sexy specialties like software and systems engineering and EE. the upcoming transition/changing of the guard called the upcoming "Great Crew Change" and has all the energy companies sweating bullets and beating the bushes for promising young engineers.

Do you have specialization in oceaneering or plant design? Even if you don't, good engineering fundamentals and Cad/Cam skills might get you into a position where you learn on the job.

What is your previous experience in? Are you still fairly young? I think the longer term aspect of The Great Crew Change and need to inject new young personell into companies will mitigate the short term effect of collapsed oil prices and reduced revenues. Also remember that downstream BENEFITS from lower feedstock prices even as upstream suffers. Either way, hiring is occuring today in the industry for candidates with the right skills.

dcoolbro · 07-14-2009, 09:52 AM

Are you just looking in oil and gas? I know at least one NASA contractor just hired 5 structural engineers. At least one was from oil and gas industry.

structuralengineer1 · 07-14-2009, 10:15 AM

i would love to work for NASA the question is would they hire me? =)

i only have onshore experience.. anyone still hiring onshore structural engineer?

i would love to work in other fields A/E but not sure if they would hire me..

PM me please if anyone knows a job opening ..

this is my first lay off...

thanks,

gwarnecke · 07-15-2009, 12:49 AM

The latest oil bust has hurt the service companies more than the majors. Fluor and a few others had a round of layoffs earlier this year. You may have better luck with the oil majors; most of them are still hiring, at least at the graduate level. Good luck!