The Sr. Asset Development Engineer will be a member of the Asset Development team located in Denver, CO. Acting as a project manager at the center of the business, the engineer transforms development strategy into executable, capital-efficient drilling programs across the Permian and STX. The role coordinates across Reservoir Engineering, Geoscience, Drilling, Completions, Production, Facilities, Land, Planning, Finance, and Operations to keep inventory executable from concept through first production. Rather than performing detailed subsurface modeling, the engineer integrates and applies technical inputs from across disciplines to drive project economics, scenario planning, capital allocation, and sequencing decisions. This position operates under limited review while handling assignments of broad scope and moderate to advanced complexity, and requires the ability to bring clarity to ambiguity and to influence without direct authority.
Essential Roles and Responsibilities- Own development planning and execution across assigned asset areas, coordinating cross-functional teams to ensure drilling inventory is executable from concept through first production.
- Evaluate development opportunities considering economics, operational constraints, infrastructure, acreage obligations, and strategic priorities.
- Lead development planning meetings and facilitate alignment across technical and operational disciplines, driving decisions and building consensus without direct authority.
- Partner with Reservoir Engineering and Geoscience to optimize inventory, pad sequencing, spacing, and development strategy, applying subsurface inputs to planning decisions rather than performing the detailed modeling.
- Coordinate the creation of AFEs and support execution of development plans through alignment of technical, operational, and commercial inputs.
- Work closely with Drilling and Completions to optimize capital efficiency and operational execution, and coordinate with Land to keep lease obligations and operational timing aligned.
- Leverage planning, scheduling, and economics software tools (e.g., Enersight, Aries, Spotfire, or similar platforms) to support integrated development planning; experience supporting or implementing development planning and scheduling systems is a plus.
- Conduct business with the highest ethical standards and demonstrate sound judgment that prioritizes safety and operational integrity.
Role-Specific Technical Knowledge & SkillsStrong development planning and integration background spanning the well life cycle from concept through first production. Fluent across reservoir engineering, drilling, completions, production, and facilities concepts, with the ability to translate technical detail from each discipline into sound business decisions rather than performing deep single-discipline analysis. Takes initiative to maintain and increase knowledge through practical application and knowledge transfer. Understands the geological, completion, and operational factors that drive unconventional development outcomes. Proficient and strong ability to learn and apply new skills and technologies. Proficient and strong use and application of standard engineering, planning, and economic principles, including industry and company standards.
Computer/Software ApplicationsProficient and strong level of skill in Microsoft Office, including advanced use of Excel for data analysis, scenario evaluation, and workflow development.
Numeric and AnalysisProficient and strong numeric and analytical skills applied to project economics, scenario evaluation, and capital efficiency. Ability to mine large data sets and build integrated views across schedule, cost, and production inputs. Constructs and interprets economic sensitivities to variations in cost, price, timing, and sequencing. Relates technical, operational, and commercial variables to identify the highest-value development outcomes and quantify trade-offs.
Demonstrated ability to structure and stress-test development plans against economic and operational assumptions. Uses analysis to support decisions on which wells to drill next, what inventory is truly executable, and how to improve capital efficiency without sacrificing long-term value.
EducationB.S. degree in Engineering is required
Typical Experience6 years of petroleum engineering experience
SM Energy offers competitive compensation and benefits programs which include, but are not limited to, variable pay, health care coverage, retirement plan, protection coverage, time off and leave programs, training and development opportunities and a range of allowances connected to specific work situations. Details are available at Careers :: SM Energy Company (SM) (sm-energy.com).
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
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