Senior Drilling Engineer

Jager Recruitment; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Jager Recruitment is seeking a highly skilled Senior Drilling Engineer in Midland, Texas. The successful candidate will lead complex drilling operations, ensuring safety and efficiency. Responsibilities include well engineering, operational support, performance optimization, and cost management.

The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor's degree in a related field, have at least 7 years of experience, and be proficient with industry-standard software. Leadership and strong problem-solving skills are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of drilling engineering experience.
• Experience in onshore horizontal, offshore, or HPHT drilling environments.
• Valid IADC WellSharp or IWCF Supervisor Level well control certification.

Responsibilities

• Design comprehensive Basis of Design documents including trajectory and casing designs.
• Provide technical guidance during drilling operations and troubleshoot complex issues.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to improve well cycle time and reduce cost-per-foot.

Skills

Casing design

Leadership

Problem-solving

Hydraulics

Education

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

Tools

Landmark/WellPlan

Petrel

Compass

OpenWells

WellCat

Job description

Our Client, a leader in Oil and Gas, is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to join our technical team. In this role, you will be the lead engineer responsible for the end-to-end design, planning, and execution support of complex drilling operations. You will work closely with geologists, reservoir engineers, and field teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost‑effective well delivery. The ideal candidate must have a strong commitment to HSE standards and possess a proven track record of optimizing drilling performance.

Responsibilities

• Well Engineering & Design: Create comprehensive Basis of Design (BoD) documents, including trajectory design, casing design, cementing strategies, and drill string/BHA configurations.
• Operational Support: Provide real‑time technical guidance and troubleshooting during drilling operations, including handling complex issues like lost circulation, vibrations, and stuck pipe.
• Performance Optimization: Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ROP and NPT reduction to improve well cycle time and reduce cost‑per‑foot.
• AFE & Cost Management: Build detailed time and cost models (AFE), track expenditures, and manage project economics from spud to completion.
• Risk Management: Conduct HAZID/HAZOP and SIMOPS reviews to proactively mitigate risks and prepare contingency plans.
• Vendor Management: Liaise with drilling contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure compliance with quality control standards.
• Mentorship: Mentor junior and intermediate engineers, elevating technical standards across the drilling team.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 7 years of drilling engineering experience, with significant experience in onshore horizontal, offshore, or HPHT drilling environments.
• Technical Expertise: Strong background in casing design, torque & drag modeling, hydraulics, and directional drilling principles.
• Software Proficiency: Experience with industry-standard software (e.g., Landmark/WellPlan, Petrel, Compass, OpenWells, WellCat).
• Certifications: Valid IADC WellSharp or IWCF Supervisor Level well control certification.
• Soft Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to make fast decisions under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License.
• Experience with geothermal, unconventional shale, or Deepwater projects.