Lead Maintenance Operator

Discovery Natural Resources LLC is a domestic, onshore exploration and production company with over 1,000 wells in operation in Texas.

Reporting to the Maintenance Foreman, the Lead Maintenance Operator supports the Maintenance Foreman in executing daily maintenance activities across oil and gas production facilities. This role supervises contract crews, ensures safe and efficient maintenance operations, and supports the reliability and optimization of surface equipment and infrastructure. The Lead Maintenance Operator trains and mentors’ maintenance personnel, drives operational efficiency, and fosters a selfless, accountable, never-settling culture that aligns field activities with company goals.

Primary Responsibilities

 Maintenance Leadership & Execution

• Lead and coordinate maintenance activities across multiple facilities, routes, and field assets.
• Prioritize maintenance work based on safety, environmental risk, equipment criticality, and production impact.
• Plan, schedule, and oversee routine, preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities.
• Coordinate major equipment repairs, facility upgrades, turnarounds, and outage work.
• Provide field leadership during critical equipment failures and emergency response situations.
• Ensure all maintenance work is completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with company standards.
• Serve as the primary maintenance resource for troubleshooting complex mechanical and operational issues.

Reliability & Asset Performance

• Lead system-wide reliability improvement initiatives that reduce downtime and improve asset performance.
• Analyze equipment failures and maintenance history to identify recurring issues and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and maintain preventative maintenance programs and schedules.
• Partner with Engineering, Production, and Automation teams to improve equipment reliability and operational efficiency.
• Conduct root cause investigations and recommend long-term solutions to mechanical failures.
• Support optimization of pumps, compressors, production equipment, tank batteries, and facility infrastructure.

Maintenance Planning & Scheduling

• Maintain and coordinate maintenance schedules for field personnel and contractors.
• Ensure work orders are appropriately prioritized, documented, and completed.
• Coordinate labor, equipment, and materials required for maintenance projects.
• Track maintenance backlog and identify opportunities to improve execution efficiency.
• Communicate maintenance priorities and scheduling updates to Operations leadership.

Contractor Management

• Coordinate and oversee contractor activities to ensure work is completed safely and effectively.
• Establish clear expectations regarding safety, quality, production impact, and performance.
• Evaluate contractor effectiveness, productivity, and workmanship.
• Manage contractor resources during maintenance projects, facility upgrades, and emergency response situations.
• Develop strong working relationships with vendors and service providers.

Inventory & Parts Management

• Maintain standardized parts inventories and critical spare equipment.
• Coordinate procurement of necessary maintenance materials and replacement parts.
• Monitor parts usage and inventory levels to minimize downtime and avoid excess inventory costs.
• Recommend inventory improvements that enhance equipment reliability and maintenance responsiveness.
• Ensure critical spares are identified and available for high-priority equipment.

Production & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Coordinate maintenance efforts with Production, Construction, Measurement, Engineering, and Automation teams.
• Align maintenance priorities with production goals and operational objectives.
• Support facility expansion projects, infrastructure upgrades, and capital improvement initiatives.
• Assist with startup, commissioning, and operational readiness reviews.
• Provide operational feedback to improve future equipment selection and facility design.

Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Promote a proactive safety culture and ensure all maintenance activities comply with company safety expectations.
• Lead and participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSA), field audits, and hazard assessments.
• Identify and mitigate operational and environmental risks.
• Support incident investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, permits, policies, and industry standards.
• Ensure excavation activities, buried line locations, and contractor work comply with company requirements.

Technology, Reporting & Documentation

• Utilize SCADA systems, maintenance management systems, and operational reporting tools to monitor equipment performance.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, inspection reports, and equipment history.
• Track maintenance KPIs and reliability metrics.
• Provide maintenance performance updates and recommendations to leadership.
• Support development of maintenance procedures, standards, and best practices.

Team Leadership & Development

• Mentor, coach, and develop Maintenance Operators and contract personnel.
• Share technical expertise and best practices throughout the organization.
• Foster accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Assist in onboarding and training new employees.
• Serve as a role model for company values and leadership expectations.
• Promote collaboration between maintenance, operations, and support groups.

Cost Management & Continuous Improvement

• Support maintenance budgeting and cost-management efforts.
• Track maintenance spending and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Optimize utilization of labor, contractors, equipment, and materials.
• Evaluate maintenance processes and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support efforts to reduce lease operating expenses without compromising safety, reliability, or production performance

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required
• Technical, trade school or vocational training preferred
• Minimum of 8 years oil and gas maintenance experience or related industrial maintenance experience
• Demonstrated leadership experience in maintenance operations.
• Experience managing contractors and coordinating field projects.
• Proven troubleshooting experience involving production equipment and facility systems.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to climb stairs on production tanks (10–25 feet).
• Ability to lift 55 lbs to a height of 3 feet.
• Regular exposure to oilfield chemicals and all weather conditions.
• Ability to hear over loud background noise and work in high-risk environments.

Skills and Knowledge

• Production equipment and facility operations
• Pumps, motors, compressors, and mechanical systems
• Tank batteries and fluid handling equipment
• Valves, piping systems, and facility infrastructure
• Preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Root cause analysis and equipment diagnostics
• SCADA and maintenance management systems
• Oilfield safety practices and environmental compliance requirements
• Basic computer skills for reporting and documentation
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

* Majority of work will be outdoors under variable weather conditions. May require occasional lifting of heavy objects. Physical ability to perform routine maintenance on oil and gas wells as required.

NOTE: This job description is NOT intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the Company