Thermal Petroleum Engineer

About the role

Salamander is seeking a Thermal Petroleum Engineer to lead modeling, evaluation, and optimization of thermal recovery processes for heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs, focusing on the Venezuela market. The role combines reservoir simulation, thermal modeling, and field performance analysis to maximize production in extra‑heavy oil assets.

Key responsibilities

• Build, calibrate, and maintain detailed thermal reservoir simulation models using CMG STARS.
• Perform history matching of thermal processes such as CSS, steam flooding, SAGD, and electric heating.
• Collaborate with Business Development and Technical teams to evaluate Venezuela market opportunities and provide technical recommendations.
• Analyze field data to monitor and optimize thermal operations with Salamander’s proprietary heating technologies.
• Integrate wellbore dynamics using tools like OLGA and apply AI‑based optimization (e.g., CMOST).

Required profile

• Minimum 10 years of hands‑on experience with Venezuela heavy‑oil reservoirs (e.g., Orinoco Belt).
• 5‑10 years of experience in thermal reservoir simulation using CMG STARS.
• Proven track record of history matching and forecasting field‑scale thermal recovery processes.
• Willingness to travel to Venezuela and Latin America and work onsite in Houston.

Required skills

• CMG STARS
• Thermal reservoir simulation
• History matching of CSS, steam flooding, SAGD, electric heating
• OLGA (or equivalent) for wellbore modeling
• CMOST or similar AI‑based optimization tools
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for heat transfer analysis

What we offer

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Employer‑covered medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)