Senior Data Scientist

Patterson-UTI Drilling Company LLC is looking for a Senior Data Scientist to take ownership of analytics work end-to-end, from problem definition through delivery and stakeholder presentation. In this Houston-based role, you will apply data science to real-world drilling automation and operational data, with an applied research focus that can directly influence reporting and performance across the rig fleet.

This position blends technical execution with collaboration across the organization. You will mentor other data scientists and analysts, serve as a project subject matter expert (including occasional rig visits), and maintain strong code quality and code management practices while building and improving analytics applications and visualizations.

What you’ll do

• Mentor and coach other data scientists and analysts
• Independently execute multiple analytics projects of varying complexity and data sources (approximately 1 week to 3 months), including time series and relational databases
• Act as the subject matter expert for projects, including visiting rigs to develop deeper understanding of drilling rig operations
• Maintain standards on code quality and code management
• Serve as the focal point for analytics by working with multiple stakeholders, clarifying requirements, and delivering solutions that add business value
• Help develop and improve data analytics applications and visualizations, including contributing requirements and working with developers
• Manage projects from start to finish: understand stakeholder needs; acquire data; clean and analyze data; innovate beyond initial requirements; generate visuals and reports; and present results
• Identify opportunities for more advanced data science solutions

Examples of projects

• Model greenhouse gas emissions across the rig fleet to reduce environmental impact and improve reporting
• Design drilling advisory systems to improve efficiency
• Build automated monitoring, detection, and alerting for operational events
• Develop models to predict downhole and surface equipment failures

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related field
• 5+ years applying data science techniques specifically to industrial operational data (oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing, etc.)
• 3+ years using Python for data analysis and visualization, including Jupyter Notebooks, Pandas, Numpy, and Matplotlib
• 3+ years using scikit-learn or equivalent software
• 3+ years analyzing time series data
• 3+ years using SQL for data extraction and manipulation
• 1+ year using Git for code management

Required background

• Prior experience in oil and gas data analytics
• Expert programming skills to generate analyses, algorithms, and visuals
• Ability to explain complex data science techniques to end-users with minimal technical background
• Strong soft skills to build rapport internally and seek buy-in for the analytics team
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and projects with challenging deadlines
• Ability to think strategically, translate concepts into action plans, and track results
• Willingness to occasionally visit a drilling rig location to gain subject matter knowledge
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Represent the data science team by presenting drilling intelligence, automation products, and AI/ML initiatives to customers and end users, and represent Patterson-UTI at internal and external events including marketing and sales engagements
• Capability to lead a small team of data analysts and data scientists, with potential to grow into a Lead Data Scientist role

Technologies

• Python, Jupyter Notebooks, Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib
• scikit-learn
• SQL, Git
• PowerBI

Education (preferred)

• Master’s degree or higher in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, or related field

Additional preferred experience

• Over 2 years applying data science techniques to data generated from oil and gas drilling operations
• Over 2 years using PowerBI or other business intelligence tools
• Over 2 years developing and deploying models at the edge
• Over 2 years in one or more of the following: physical modeling of mechanical systems; predictive maintenance or reliability modeling of equipment; drilling automation systems; control systems for industrial applications; existing research publications and/or patents related to oil and gas drilling