Dynamic Positioning Operator

Atlas NextWave; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Temporary contract

Job summary

Atlas NextWave seeks an experienced Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) for a temporary contract aboard a modern offshore drillship in the Gulf of Mexico. You will manage the DP system to maintain precise station keeping during drilling operations and support marine, drilling, and logistics teams.

The role requires a DP Unlimited Certificate, US citizenship or permanent residency, and offshore safety qualifications.

Qualifications

• DP certification and offshore safety training required.
• Experience on DP-equipped drillships or semis.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Valid offshore certifications (BOSIET, OGUK medical, TWIC).
• DP Unlimited Certificate is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the DP system for precise station keeping.
• Coordinate with bridge, drilling, and marine teams.
• Maintain DP logs and reporting.
• Assist with rig moves and emergency response.
• Uphold safety culture and participate in drills.

Skills

Dynamic Positioning

Vessel navigation

Emergency response

Safety culture

Clear communication

Tools

Kongsberg DP

L3 DP

DP Systems

Job description

Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) - Offshore Drillship (Temporary Contract)

Looking for your next offshore assignment? We are seeking an experienced Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) for a temporary contract opportunity aboard a modern ultra-deepwater drillship operating in the Gulf of Mexico. This position offers the opportunity to work with an industry-leading offshore team on a high-specification vessel supporting critical drilling operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor the vessel's Dynamic Positioning (DP) system to maintain safe and accurate station keeping during drilling operations.
• Support drilling, marine, and logistics operations while ensuring compliance with established DP procedures and well-specific operating guidelines.
• Maintain continuous communication with the bridge team, drill floor, engine room, subsea, ROV, and other operational departments.
• Monitor DP reference systems, sensors, power generation, thrusters, and associated equipment.
• Maintain DP logs, reports, and operational records.
• Assist with rig moves, vessel approaches, emergency response activities, and contingency planning.
• Promote a strong safety culture and actively participate in safety meetings, drills, and risk assessments. Responsibilities such as station keeping, rig moves, maintaining DP logs, coordinating with drilling and marine departments, and supporting emergency response are consistent with DPO functions performed on modern offshore drillships.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Dynamic Positioning Operator aboard a drillship, semi-submersible, or other DP-equipped offshore vessel.
• Valid DP Unlimited Certificate (Nautical Institute or equivalent).
• Experience with high-specification offshore drilling units preferred.
• Strong understanding of DP operations, vessel navigation, emergency response, and offshore marine procedures.
• Experience with Kongsberg, L3, or similar DP systems is highly desirable. Experience with these systems is commonly found among DPOs working on modern offshore drilling units.

Required Prior to Mobilization

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent U.S. Resident
• BOSIET + CA-EBS
• OGUK/OEUK Medical with clear drug screen
• TWIC Card
• Valid Government-Issued ID and Passport
• RigPass or SafeGulf
• DP Unlimited Certification
• Appropriate USCG License/Officer Credentials/Marshall Islands Flagship Book

Why Join Us?

• Temporary contract assignment
• Work aboard a modern, high-specification offshore drillship
• Safety-focused and professional work environment
• Opportunity to join a world-class offshore operations team

If you're a qualified DPO with offshore drilling experience and a proven track record of safe, precise vessel positioning, we'd like to hear from you.