About HULK USA
HULK USA is a company focused on delivering innovative solutions for the toughest production challenges. We specialize in downhole technologies supporting artificial lift applications, with a commitment to product reliability, operational performance, and practical engineering solutions.
Our team takes pride in solving complex challenges, taking ownership of results, and working across departments to deliver solutions for our customers.
At HULK, engineering goes beyond design. We develop, test, manufacture, and continuously improve products built to perform in demanding oilfield environments.
Position Summary
HULK USA is seeking a Sustaining Engineering Lead to drive the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of our downhole products while leading a team of engineers and technical professionals.
This is a hands-on engineering leadership position for someone who enjoys solving technical challenges, developing people, and improving how engineering work moves from concept through manufacturing and field deployment.
The right individual brings strong mechanical engineering experience in upstream oil and gas, understands the complexities of downhole tools, and knows how to turn engineering decisions into practical, production-ready solutions.
You will lead sustaining engineering initiatives, manage engineering changes, drive cost-reduction projects, and strengthen collaboration between Engineering, Product Line Management, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Field Operations.
We are looking for a leader who stays close to the technical work, takes ownership of difficult decisions, and helps the team deliver results.
Key Responsibilities
Sustaining Engineering & Technical Leadership
- Lead sustaining engineering activities focused on improving the performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost effectiveness of existing HULK products.
- Maintain hands-on involvement in mechanical design, engineering analysis, troubleshooting, root-cause investigations, and product validation.
- Own engineering projects from problem identification and technical evaluation through implementation, testing, and final validation.
- Evaluate field performance data, manufacturing concerns, and product reliability issues to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Lead engineering changes, including Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), Bills of Materials (BOMs), design revisions, configuration control, and technical documentation.
- Support the transition of new products from development into sustaining engineering, ensuring appropriate validation, documentation, manufacturing readiness, and long-term product ownership.
Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Execution
- Drive effective engineering processes and handoffs between Product Line Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Field Operations.
- Own the tracking, prioritization, and resolution of field-generated engineering requests to ensure timely technical support.
- Identify and execute cost-reduction initiatives involving product design, materials, manufacturing processes, and supplier capabilities.
- Collaborate with manufacturing and field teams to address product performance challenges and implement practical corrective actions.
- Develop and improve engineering documentation, technical procedures, and product support processes.
- Balance technical requirements, project schedules, quality, cost, and business priorities when making engineering decisions.
- Plan, track, and communicate project priorities, progress, risks, and deliverables using established project management tools.
Engineering Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and technical professionals while maintaining direct involvement in engineering work.
- Establish clear priorities, assign responsibilities, and maintain accountability for technical deliverables and project execution.
- Provide technical guidance, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development to team members.
- Build strong working relationships across departments to support effective communication and timely problem-solving.
- Encourage collaboration, technical curiosity, continuous improvement, and ownership throughout the engineering team.
- Make timely, informed decisions when technical issues, competing priorities, or operational challenges require immediate action.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
- Significant hands-on engineering experience designing, developing, or sustaining downhole tools used in upstream oil and gas operations.
- Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams, including direct people management or substantial team leadership responsibilities.
- Strong mechanical design background with practical experience in engineering analysis, product testing, validation, and technical troubleshooting.
- Experience managing engineering projects through design, development, manufacturing, implementation, and validation.
- Working knowledge of engineering change management, configuration control, technical documentation, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience investigating product failures, identifying root causes, and implementing corrective actions.
- Ability to manage multiple engineering initiatives while balancing cost, quality, technical requirements, and schedules.
- Strong communication, decision-making, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Willingness to remain hands-on technically while leading and developing a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- 10–15+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience, preferably involving downhole tool design, product development, or sustaining engineering.
- 3–5 years of engineering team leadership or direct people management experience.
- Experience with artificial lift systems, electric submersible pumps (ESPs), completion tools, drilling tools, or related downhole technologies.
- Experience transitioning products from research and development into manufacturing and sustaining engineering.
- Proficiency in SolidWorks or comparable 3D mechanical CAD software.
- Experience with SolidWorks PDM, JIRA, SAP, NetSuite, or similar engineering and business systems.
- Knowledge of casting, machining, materials selection, assembly methods, and manufacturing process improvements.
- Demonstrated success improving product reliability, reducing manufacturing or product costs, and driving cross-functional engineering improvements.
- Experience working in both large engineering organizations and smaller, fast-paced operating environments.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means taking ownership of engineering challenges, developing a strong team, and driving improvements that directly support product performance and operational efficiency.
During your initial months, your focus will include:
- Establish clear ownership and timely resolution of field engineering requests and product issues.
- Drive sustaining engineering and cost-reduction initiatives from identification through implementation.
- Improve processes and coordination between Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Field Operations.
- Ensure effective transitions from new product development into manufacturing and sustaining engineering.
- Build a team focused on technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
What You Can Expect at HULK
At HULK, leaders stay involved.
You will work directly with experienced engineers, manufacturing professionals, product leaders, and field operations teams to solve challenges affecting product performance and customer operations.
This position offers the opportunity to influence engineering processes, lead meaningful technical projects, develop a growing team, and contribute directly to the reliability and performance of HULK products.
We value people who bring ideas forward, take ownership of their work, make informed decisions, and follow through on commitments.
If you enjoy combining hands-on engineering with team leadership and want to see the direct impact of your work, we encourage you to apply.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- This position is based on-site at HULK's Houston, Texas location.
- Work includes a combination of office, engineering, manufacturing, and testing environments.
- Occasional travel to field locations or testing sites is required based on business needs.
- Some activities involve standing, walking, inspecting equipment, and working in manufacturing or test areas.
- Occasional lifting or movement of equipment weighing up to 50 pounds may be required, consistent with applicable safety procedures and reasonable accommodations.
- All work must follow HULK's safety and operational requirements.
