Senior Drilling Engineer

Placements24; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary + bonus

Medical + retirement

Company vehicle

Training opportunities

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer to join our client in Randburg, Gauteng. You will plan, execute, and supervise drilling programs, manage service providers, and provide technical leadership to crews and engineers.

The role emphasizes safety, cost efficiency, and well integrity across challenging wells. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering, with at least eight years of drilling experience, strong field exposure, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressive drilling engineering experience.
• Proven experience in managing complex drilling operations.
• Strong knowledge of drilling equipment, technologies, and best practices.
• Strong well control and safety management expertise.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs, including well design, casing schemes, and trajectory planning.
• Manage and supervise drilling operations on-site, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and operational procedures.
• Select and manage drilling equipment, tools, and service providers, optimizing performance and cost.
• Conduct daily drilling performance reviews, analyze key metrics, and implement improvements.
• Identify and mitigate drilling risks, such as wellbore instability, lost circulation, and formation damage.
• Oversee the management of drilling fluids and cementing operations to ensure well integrity.
• Prepare detailed drilling performance reports and cost analysis.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Decision making

Field experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to join their team in Randburg . This role is responsible for the planning, execution, and supervision of drilling operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. You will develop drilling programs, manage service providers, and provide technical leadership to drilling crews and engineers. The position demands a strong understanding of drilling techniques, risk management, and operational challenges within the Gauteng region's demanding resource sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs, including well design, casing schemes, and trajectory planning.
• Manage and supervise drilling operations on-site, ensuring adherence to safety regulations and operational procedures.
• Select and manage drilling equipment, tools, and service providers, optimizing performance and cost.
• Conduct daily drilling performance reviews, analyze key metrics, and implement improvements.
• Identify and mitigate drilling risks, such as wellbore instability, lost circulation, and formation damage.
• Oversee the management of drilling fluids and cementing operations to ensure well integrity.
• Prepare detailed drilling performance reports and cost analysis.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drilling engineering, with a strong field background.
• Proven experience in managing complex drilling operations, including challenging wells.
• In-depth knowledge of drilling equipment, technologies, and best practices.
• Strong understanding of well control principles and safety management systems.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving, and decision‑making skills.

Benefits

• Excellent base salary and substantial annual bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical and retirement benefits package.
• Company vehicle and travel allowances.
• Extensive opportunities for professional development and training.
• A collaborative and high‑performance work culture.