A professional who coordinates research activities to develop new and improved methods of drilling wells and producing oil or gas. Responsibilities include:

• Directs, through subordinate engineering personnel, planning and progress of experimental projects in drilling and production operations, such as projects investigating composition of drilling mud, recovery of natural gasoline from crude oil and gas solutions, or dehydration of crude petroleum.
• Assists chief petroleum engineer in solution of technical operating problems.
• May direct research activities in geochemical or other petroleum prospecting methods.