Lead Production Engineer

Placements24; Polokwane; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career growth

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Production Engineer to join our client’s team in Polokwane, Limpopo, SA. The role focuses on optimizing oil and gas production, ensuring safe operations, and maximizing asset value.

You will lead production engineering efforts, with emphasis on artificial lift systems, forecasting, well interventions, and facility performance. The ideal candidate has 9+ years in production engineering within oil and gas, strong leadership, and a solid grasp of reservoir

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum or Chemical Engineering.
• 9+ years in production engineering in oil and gas.
• Expertise in artificial lift, production optimization, and well integrity.
• Strong reservoir engineering understanding and impact on production.
• Experience with production monitoring software.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and mentor juniors.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement production optimization strategies to maximize hydrocarbon recovery and minimize downtime.
• Design, operate, and troubleshoot artificial lift systems (e.g., ESPs, rod pumps, gas lift).
• Perform production forecasting and reserves estimation, collaborating with reservoir engineers.
• Identify and recommend well intervention opportunities (e.g., workovers, stimulation, recompletions).
• Monitor and analyze production data, facility performance, and operational issues.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Lead and mentor a team of production engineers, providing technical guidance and support.
• Collaborate with drilling, reservoir, and facilities engineers on field development and operational plans.
• Evaluate new production technologies and propose their implementation.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management.

Skills

Leadership

Production optimization

Artificial lift

Reservoir engineering

Team mentoring

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum/Chemical Eng

Tools

Production monitoring software

Reservoir simulation software

ERP/SCADA knowledge

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the energy landscape, is seeking a dynamic Lead Production Engineer to join their esteemed team in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA . This position is instrumental in optimizing oil and gas production, ensuring efficient and safe operations, and maximizing asset value. You will lead production engineering efforts, focusing on artificial lift systems, production forecasting, well interventions, and facility performance. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in production optimization techniques, a strong understanding of reservoir performance, and excellent leadership skills to guide a team of engineers. This role offers a significant opportunity to impact production strategies and contribute to the success of major energy projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement production optimization strategies to maximize hydrocarbon recovery and minimize downtime.
• Design, operate, and troubleshoot artificial lift systems (e.g., ESPs, rod pumps, gas lift).
• Perform production forecasting and reserves estimation, collaborating with reservoir engineers.
• Identify and recommend well intervention opportunities (e.g., workovers, stimulation, recompletions).
• Monitor and analyze production data, facility performance, and operational issues.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Lead and mentor a team of production engineers, providing technical guidance and support.
• Collaborate with drilling, reservoir, and facilities engineers on field development and operational plans.
• Evaluate new production technologies and propose their implementation.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 9 years of progressive experience in production engineering within the oil and gas industry.
• Proven expertise in artificial lift systems, production optimization, and well integrity.
• Strong understanding of reservoir engineering principles and their impact on production.
• Experience with production monitoring and analysis software.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and mentor junior staff.
• Familiarity with Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) regulations.

Benefits

• Our client provides a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and excellent opportunities for professional growth and career advancement.
• You will be part of a forward-thinking team in a key location within the energy sector in Polokwane, Limpopo, ZA , working on challenging projects.
• This hybrid role offers a balance of in-office collaboration and remote flexibility.