Senior Drilling Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary package

Health and retirement benefits

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town seeks a seasoned Senior Drilling Engineer to lead planning, design and management of drilling campaigns, prioritizing safety and cost efficiency in the SA oil and gas sector.

You will supervise on-site and remote operations, manage equipment and contractor performance, and ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental standards. Hybrid work model provides flexibility while delivering complex projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelors or higher in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 6 years of drilling engineering experience in Oil & Gas.
• Experience with onshore and/or offshore wells and familiar with drilling fluids, cementing, and well control.

Responsibilities

• Develop drilling programs and operational plans including casing and cementing strategies.
• Perform risk assessments and develop contingency plans for drilling hazards.
• Supervise and coordinate drilling operations on-site and remotely for efficient execution.
• Manage drilling equipment, services and contractor performance to ensure safety and cost-effectiveness.
• Analyze drilling data to identify performance improvements and implement best practices.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental regulations during drilling activities.

Skills

Drilling planning

Risk assessment

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Well control

Education

Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering degree

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a seasoned Senior Drilling Engineer to join their expanding operations based in Cape Town . This role is critical for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling operations. You will be responsible for planning, designing, and managing drilling campaigns, ensuring adherence to stringent safety and environmental standards. Working in a hybrid model, you will leverage your expertise to oversee complex drilling projects, mitigate risks, and optimize performance in the challenging South African Oil & Gas industry. This is an excellent opportunity to lead technical aspects of drilling operations and contribute to significant projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs and operational plans, including casing and cementing strategies.
• Perform detailed risk assessments and develop contingency plans for potential drilling hazards.
• Supervise and coordinate drilling operations on-site and remotely, ensuring efficient execution.
• Manage drilling equipment, services, and contractor performance to ensure cost-effectiveness and safety.
• Analyze drilling data to identify performance improvements and implement best practices.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and environmental regulations during drilling activities.

Requirements

• Minimum of 6 years of experience as a Drilling Engineer in the Oil & Gas sector.
• Proven experience in planning and executing complex onshore and/or offshore wells.
• Strong knowledge of drilling fluids, cement, well control, and directional drilling.
• Experience with drilling optimization techniques and performance monitoring.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Relevant degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits.
• Generous paid time off and leave policies.
• Access to advanced drilling technology and training programs.
• Hybrid work arrangement offering flexibility for employees in Cape Town .