Lead Production Technician

Job Family Group:
Operations Group

Job Description:

bpx energy, a major oil and gas producer in the United States, leverages its expertise in unconventional gas, including shale, to deliver hydrocarbon production and technical knowledge worldwide. With operations in Texas and Louisiana, our US onshore business has become both a premier oil and gas producer and a leader in reducing methane emissions.


As part of BP, a global industry leader, we foster a high-energy, high-intensity environment built on accountability, collegiality, innovation, and empowerment. At bpx, we support our people to learn and grow in a diverse and challenging environment where safety, operational excellence, continuous improvement, and teamwork are valued.


Discover your place with us and help our business meet the challenges of reimagining and reinventing the future of energy.


Lead Production Technician


ROLE SYNOPSIS:


The Lead Production Technician is a field-based technical leader who supports the Production Foreman by converting priorities into safe, reliable, and efficient field execution. This role serves as the primary technical resource and escalation point for Production Technicians and drives production uptime, troubleshooting, asset stewardship, and operational discipline across an assigned area.


KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Own the day-to-day technical quality of field operations within the assigned area and ensure Production Technicians execute safely and consistently.

• Serve as the primary technical resource and escalation point for Production Technicians.

• Support startups, shutdowns, troubleshooting, and abnormal operations, providing on-site or remote technical support to resolve issues and stabilize production.

• Escalate unresolved risks and issues to the Production Foreman with clear problem definition, field context, and a recommended path forward.

• Train and mentor Production Technicians on proper use of PI Vision, CygNet, Ranger, and Power BI to identify deferring wells, trend production performance, and manage deferment priorities.

• Review high-volume pads daily, monitor high-touch wells, and initiate corrective actions to support stable production.

• Monitor gathering-system performance, alarms, and well behavior and coordinate actions on constraints.

• Use PI Vision, CygNet, and Power BI to identify abnormal trends, underperformers, and downtime events before they escalate.

• Evaluate high-spend project performance, including gas lift conversions, ESP installations, and base-well tie-ins.

• Coordinate production recovery during midstream outages, weather events, and other high-impact or unplanned disruptions.

• Manage deferment using Power BI tools, Code Manager, PI Vision, CygNet, and Ranger to maintain accurate production-loss tracking and prioritize the highest-impact items.

• Partner with the Optimization team on deferment, well issues, and troubleshooting to drive production uplift and resolve chronic problems.

• Align daily priorities with the Production Foreman and coordinate technicians, contractors, Maintenance, Automation, and Engineering resources.

• Track work to completion, communicate remaining risks or open items, and use Ranger to direct technician efforts toward the highest-impact priorities.

• Identify nesting opportunities to consolidate work, reduce mobilization costs, and improve field efficiency across technician routes.

• Improve problem definition and maintenance-notification quality, support repairs, and verify issue resolution.

• Identify repeat failures and collaborate with Production Engineering, Facilities Engineering, Artificial Lift Engineering, Automation, and Reliability teams on chronic equipment issues and active projects.

• Lead by example in hazard recognition, safety observations, stop-work authority, and operational discipline.

• Support SORAs, JSAs, permits, safeguard verification, pre-job meetings, housekeeping, and procedural compliance.

• Hold safety conversations and complete safety observations during each rotation; ensure HSE compliance among field vendors and contractors.

• Ensure technician routes are current on OOOOA inspections, site inspections, plunger inspections, and managed-valve registry requirements; address gaps and overdue items.

• Validate well-coding accuracy for Normal Ops, Base Backout, and Engineering/Optimization and ensure technicians update coding daily to reflect real-time field conditions.

• Confirm technician verifications are meaningful and identify non-repetitive gaps.

• Lead operational handover of new pads from Commissioning to Production Operations and review performance, failures, and outstanding issues before acceptance.

• Coordinate with Development to document events in Enbase from initial startup and perform initial operation and optimization following handover.

• Participate in MOC reviews, PSSR walkdowns, PHAs, HAZOPs, and 30% design reviews.

• Coordinate contractors and vendors in alignment with Operations priorities and verify work completion and safety compliance.

• Coach Production Technicians, share lessons learned, maintain operating notes and shift handovers, and review technician night notes for completeness and repeat issues.

• Maintain the Nauto KPI driving score, keep mileage and vehicle information current in the E-Fleet app, and complete scheduled vehicle maintenance.

• Submit all travel and expense reports accurately and on time.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 5 years of direct production oil & gas experience

• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.

• Experience utilizing data and available resources to solve operational problems.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including working with remote teams through phone, video, and virtual technologies.

• Proven problem-solving ability with measurable business impact.

• Ability to work safely in a dynamic field environment.

• Ability to learn and apply basic failure analysis techniques.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in the oil and gas industry or other industrial/manufacturing environments.

• Electro-mechanical background.

• Experience working within Lean or continuous improvement environments.

• Understanding of oil and gas production operations from reservoir to sales line.

• Experience using data to drive operational decisions.

• Knowledge of databases, data architecture, and technologies used to transport and transform data.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES:

• Growth mindset with the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing conditions.

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills.

• High aptitude and interest in new technology.

• Collaborative team player who builds effective partnerships across functions.

• Naturally inquisitive and proactive approach to problem solving.

• Excellent listening, interpersonal, and communication skills.

• Change-oriented mindset focused on improving processes and outcomes.

• Ability to manage changing priorities, delays, and unexpected events.

• Strong ownership, accountability, and initiative.

WORKING CONDITIONS:


This position is primarily field-based and requires working in outdoor environments across the Permian Basin. Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, climbing, and repetitive movements involving the hands, arms, shoulders, legs, and torso. Periodic tasks include operating power equipment, sitting at a desk, using computers and phones, and lifting or moving materials weighing up to 50 pounds. The role requires flexibility to adapt to changing operational priorities, weather conditions, and business needs.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:


Lifting Abilities

• Lift with 2 hands from floor to knuckles: 80 lbs x 2 (with 12 sec rest intervals between lifts).

• Lift with 2 hands from floor to waist: 80 lbs x 2 (with 12 sec rest intervals between lifts).

• Lift with 2 hands from floor to shoulders: 35 lbs x 2 (with 12 sec rest intervals between lifts).

• Lift with 2 hands from floor to crown: 15 lbs x 2 (with 12 sec rest intervals between lifts).

Pushing and Pulling Abilities

• Push horizontally with hands placed between waist and mid-chest level to generate a peak force of 80 lbs with two hands x 3.

• Pull horizontally with hands placed between waist and mid-chest level to generate a peak force of 80 lbs with two hands x 3.

Carrying Abilities


Carry with 2 hands at self-selected height: 80 lbs for a distance of 5 feet x 2; self-paced.


Stair / Ladder Climbing Abilities


Stair Climb: Climb up and down a total of 10 steps, self-paced.


Agilities

• Stooping and Twisting: From standing, perform alternate toe touches x 3 to each side, self-paced but continuous. Test recipient should reach toward his/her toes on opposite side as far as possible but actual touching of toes not required.

• Kneeling: From standing, kneel on one knee, return to full standing and then kneel on opposite knee. Repeat kneeling test x 3, each knee, self-paced but continuous.

• Sustained Squatting: From standing, lower body into a functional squat position. Hold the squat position for 30 seconds and then stand.

• Repetitive Squatting: Repeat squats x 3 reps, self-paced, no hold time at end range.

LOCATION:


Orla, TX


SCHEDULE:


14/14


COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:


How much do we pay (Base)?


$95,000 - $112,000 USD Annual


Note that the pay range listed for this position is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting.


We offer a reward and wellbeing package designed to support your life both inside and outside of work. Benefits may include:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid time off

• Discretionary annual bonus program

• Long-term incentive program

• 401(k) matching program

LEGAL AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be legally authorized to work full-time in the United States for any employer other than your current employer.

• Must not require sponsorship now or in the future for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B, TN, etc.).

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other employment benefits and privileges. Please contact us to request accommodations.


Travel Requirement:
Up to 10% travel should be expected with this role

Relocation Assistance:
This role is not eligible for relocation

Remote Type:
This position is not available for remote working

Skills:
Adaptability, Analytical Thinking, Coaching, Collaboration, Communication, Conflict Management, Control of Work, Control Room Operations, Cost-conscious decision-making, Crisis and emergency response management, Curiosity, Environment, Field Operations, Influencing, Knowledge Sharing, Listening, Plant preparation and reinstatement, Process safety hazard recognition, Production optimisation, Resilience, Self-Awareness, Working with contractors, Work Management

Legal Disclaimer:

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, socioeconomic status, neurodiversity/neurocognitive functioning, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp's recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.

If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.