Senior Drilling Engineer

Placements24; Lenasia; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,350,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Field work allowances

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer to lead and execute drilling operations in the Soweto area and surrounding Gauteng regions. You will drive safe, cost-efficient well construction, oversee rig teams and service providers, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering, 8+ years of field drilling experience, and expertise in drilling mechanics, well control, and directional drilling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive drilling engineering experience with hands-on field work.
• Proven well planning, execution, and supervision of drilling rigs.
• Expertise in drilling mechanics, well control, directional drilling, and completion.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage drilling plans including well design and fluids programs.
• Supervise on-site drilling operations with safety and procedural compliance.
• Monitor performance, analyze data, and implement corrective actions.
• Manage relationships with drilling contractors and service providers.
• Conduct post-well analysis and capture lessons learned.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and rig crews.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Well planning

Directional drilling

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

Drilling software

Rig operations coordination

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking a highly competent Senior Drilling Engineer to manage and execute drilling operations within the Soweto area and surrounding regions. This role is fundamental to the safe, efficient, and cost-effective planning and execution of well construction activities for their projects in the Oil & Gas industry . You will take the lead on technical aspects of drilling, work closely with rig crews and service providers, and ensure adherence to stringent safety and environmental standards. This position requires a dedicated professional with hands‑on field experience and a strong understanding of drilling technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and manage comprehensive drilling plans, encompassing well design, casing, and drilling fluid programs.
• Supervise drilling operations on-site, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols and operational procedures.
• Monitor drilling performance, analyze data, and implement corrective actions to maintain efficiency and safety.
• Manage relationships with drilling contractors and service companies, ensuring compliance and quality of service.
• Conduct thorough post-well analysis, document lessons learned, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering staff and rig personnel.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drilling engineering, with significant hands‑on field experience.
• Proven experience in well planning, execution, and supervision of drilling rig operations.
• Expertise in drilling mechanics, well control, directional drilling, and completion techniques is essential.
• Strong leadership qualities and the ability to effectively manage operations in a field environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including allowances for field work.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the company.
• Exposure to varied and challenging drilling projects in the Gauteng region.
• A robust work environment focused on safety, collaboration, and operational success.
• Contribution to vital energy resource development in the area.