[digikata]

Just a bit on my background so you know what perspective is behind my advice. I came from an Aerospace Engineering degree and transitioned early into Aerospace systems engineering and software, eventually moving to more traditional software positions (still systems oriented I guess, but different system domains).

It sounds like you're applying for web-industry type jobs which I think you should continue to apply for in your situation. However, with your background, you should have a great advantage for industry + software type positions which would play to your experience as well as your new skills. I would expand my search beyond just "software category" jobs, and search for companies which have products/services in in oil & gas, find companies in that sector, (also companies building software tools for that sector) then go look for listings on their individual websites to see if they have openings of software jobs (look for networking for friends who might be in that industry too - maybe an instance where Linkedin is very useful). I would suspect that there is a lot of software work for embedded, industrial controls, data collection, analysis, even project mgmt, calculation/coordination widget software in that field. I might even expand to searching companies looking chemical, and construction companies from what I can glean from the description of your experience.

What I'm terming "Industry" jobs here are likely culturally different than your standard HN software work, but even if it's not what you're aiming for over the long term, it might be a stepping stone to more "software" archetype software positions.

[DrNuke]

I strongly second this, you may be more lucky with your search by combining both of your expertises for industrial / petroleum / similar engineering jobs. Good luck!