Mud Engineer

Kintec Global Recruitment; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Kintec Global Recruitment is seeking an experienced mud engineer to design, test, and manage drilling fluids on active wells across the Americas. The role requires hands-on field work, strong safety mindset, and the ability to communicate effectively with rig crews and operators.

You will travel to onshore pads, remote basins, and offshore sites, work long rotations including night shifts, and maintain fluid systems from water-based to oil-based.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, petroleum, or related engineering, or equivalent petroleum-technology training with proven fluids-school and rig experience.
• Hands-on mud engineer experience on active wells.
• Working knowledge of water-based, oil-based/synthetic, and brine fluid systems.
• Credentials such as IADC WellCAP or IWCF well control, H2S, First Aid/CPR, and site tickets (HUET/BOSIET, TWIC).
• Ability to pass industry medical, drug and alcohol, and site-access screening.
• Physically fit for field work and extended shifts.
• Strong written reporting and clear communication with rig and operator teams.
• Willingness to travel frequently across the Americas.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and control drilling fluids at the rig to maintain well stability, effective cuttings transport, and proper downhole pressure.
• Serve as the on-site fluids authority for the operator and rig team, adjusting the mud program by hole section as drilling conditions change.
• Conduct routine mud checks for density, rheology, gel strengths, fluid loss, pH, chlorides, solids, MBT, and oil/water ratio as applicable.
• Treat the active system with additives such as barite, bentonite, polymers, inhibitors, LCM, and others.
• Manage hydraulics and ECD, oversee solids-control equipment, and diagnose contamination issues.
• Support well-control readiness through correct mud weight and gas-handling practices.
• Manage product inventory and logistics, document fluid performance, and brief the company man and drilling supervisors on trends and costs.
• Travel frequently to different wellsites, including onshore pads, remote basins, and offshore or international locations as assigned.
• Work long rotations and hitches, including night shifts and short-notice site moves.
• Perform physically demanding tasks, including 12-hour field shifts, climbing stairs and ladders, working in confined spaces and outdoor weather.

Skills

Mud engineering

Drilling fluids

Well control knowledge

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical, petroleum, or related engineering

Equivalent petroleum-technology training with fluids-school and rig experience

Job description

United States and, as projects require, other locations across the Americas (onshore, offshore, and international assignments possible).

Key Responsibilities

• Design, test, and control drilling and completion fluids at the rig to maintain well stability, effective cuttings transport, bit and BHA cooling/lubrication, and proper downhole pressure.
• Serve as the on-site fluids authority for the operator and rig team, executing and adjusting the mud program by hole section as drilling conditions change.
• Conduct routine mud checks for density, rheology, gel strengths, fluid loss, pH, chlorides, solids, MBT, and oil/water ratio as applicable.
• Treat the active system with appropriate additives such as barite, bentonite, polymers, inhibitors, LCM, and others.
• Manage hydraulics and ECD, oversee solids-control equipment, and diagnose contamination issues (cement, salt, drilled solids, H2S/CO2).
• Support well-control readiness through correct mud weight and gas-handling practices.
• Manage product inventory and logistics, document fluid performance, and brief the company man, toolpusher, and drilling supervisor on trends, costs, and recommended treatments.
• Travel frequently to different wellsites, including onshore pads, remote basins, and offshore or international locations as assigned.
• Work long rotations and hitches as required by the well schedule, including night shifts and short-notice site moves.
• Perform physically demanding tasks, including 12-hour field shifts, climbing stairs and ladders, working in confined spaces and outdoor weather, and handling chemicals and equipment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, petroleum, or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent petroleum-technology training with proven fluids-school and rig experience.
• Hands-on experience as a mud engineer or drilling-fluids technician on active wells.
• Working knowledge of water-based, oil-based/synthetic, and brine fluid systems.
• Current or readily obtainable credentials such as IADC WellCAP or IWCF well control, H2S, First Aid/CPR, and any regional survival or site tickets required for assignment (e.g., HUET/BOSIET, TWIC).
• Ability to pass industry medical, drug and alcohol, and site-access screening.
• Physically fit for field work, including extended shifts and manual handling.
• Strong written reporting skills and the ability to communicate clearly with rig and operator teams.
• Calm problem-solving skills under pressure and the ability to represent the service company professionally.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently and mobilize on short notice across the Americas.

Additional Information

This is a long-term contract role with sustained coverage across multiple wells and regions. Candidates should be ready for continuous field work and highlight relevant experience, certifications, and availability in their application.