Subsurface Engineer Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Subsurface Engineer

Best Schools to become a Subsurface Engineer in U.S. 2024

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

In-State Tuition:$11,698
Out-of-State Tuition:$41,070
Admission Rate:31%
Graduation Rate:88%
Total Enrollment:52,384

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO

In-State Tuition:$17,520
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,600
Admission Rate:58%
Graduation Rate:82%
Total Enrollment:7,403

Southern New Hampshire University

Manchester, NH

In-State Tuition:$15,000
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,000
Admission Rate:96%
Graduation Rate:41%
Total Enrollment:164,091

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, OK

In-State Tuition:$4,920
Out-of-State Tuition:$21,488
Admission Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:76%
Total Enrollment:28,308

West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV

In-State Tuition:$9,360
Out-of-State Tuition:$26,568
Admission Rate:88%
Graduation Rate:62%
Total Enrollment:24,741
Subsurface Engineer Job Description:
  • Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites.
  • May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities.
  • May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions.
  • May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Subsurface Engineer

Job Duties for Subsurface Engineers

  • Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.

  • Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.

  • Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.

Technologies and Skills Used by Subsurface Engineers

Analytical or scientific software

  • Maptek Vulcan
  • Ventsim

Data base user interface and query software

  • MySQL
  • Oracle Database

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Reading work related information
  • Talking to others

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Subsurface Engineer

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Subsurface Engineer

FAQs About Becoming a Subsurface Engineer