Drilling Engineer - Onshore Operations

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary package + bonuses

Medical & life insurance

Accommodation & transport

Professional development

Career growth near Rustenburg

Job summary

Placements24 in Rustenburg seeks an experienced Drilling Engineer to oversee onshore drilling operations in the Rustenburg area. You will plan, design, and supervise drilling campaigns, ensuring safety and cost efficiency while achieving program objectives.

Responsibilities include developing drilling programs, selecting equipment, and supervising on-site activities with a focus on wellbore integrity and regulatory compliance. Collaboration with geologists and service providers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field and 5+ years in drilling engineering.
• Experience in onshore oil and gas drilling campaigns.
• Strong knowledge of fluids, well control, and directional drilling.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling programs including casing and cementing strategies.
• Select equipment and services based on geological conditions.
• Supervise on-site drilling operations per plan and safety procedures.
• Monitor performance, identify hazards, and implement mitigations.
• Manage budgets, track costs, and report on key metrics.
• Collaborate with geologists and service providers to optimize well integrity.

Skills

Petroleum engineering

Onshore drilling experience

Drilling fluids & well control

Directional drilling

Leadership & decision making

Drilling software

Data analysis tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Drilling software

Data analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client seeks a highly competent Drilling Engineer to manage onshore drilling operations in the Rustenburg area. This role is essential for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling campaigns in the oil and gas sector. You will be responsible for planning, designing, and supervising drilling activities, ensuring compliance with all safety and environmental regulations. This is a hands‑on position for an experienced engineer who thrives in operational environments and is dedicated to achieving drilling program objectives, contributing to the company's success in resource extraction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling programs, including casing, cementing, and completion strategies.
• Select appropriate drilling equipment, tools, and services based on geological conditions and program requirements.
• Supervise drilling operations on-site, ensuring adherence to the drilling plan and safety procedures.
• Monitor drilling performance, identify potential hazards, and implement mitigation strategies in real-time.
• Manage drilling budgets, track costs, and report on operational performance and key metrics.
• Collaborate with geologists, production engineers, and service providers to optimize drilling efficiency and wellbore integrity.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in drilling engineering, with a strong focus on onshore operations in the oil and gas industry.
• Proven ability to design and execute complex drilling programs.
• In-depth knowledge of drilling fluids, well control principles, and directional drilling techniques.
• Experience with drilling software and data analysis tools for performance monitoring.
• Strong leadership and decision‑making skills, with the ability to manage field operations effectively.

Benefits

• Attractive salary package and performance bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical, disability, and life insurance.
• Company‑provided accommodation and transport for site work.
• Continuous professional development and training opportunities.
• A challenging and rewarding career within a leading oil and gas company operating near Rustenburg .