Senior Drilling Engineer – Deepwater Offshore Leader

Placements24; Durban; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

International travel

Job summary

Placements24 urgently seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer for offshore deepwater operations based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on planning, executing and supervising drilling campaigns, ensuring safety, efficiency and cost control across offshore exploration programs.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years in drilling, strong well-control and risk management skills, and IWCF Level 4 certification. International travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive drilling engineering experience with deepwater/offshore focus.
• Strong well design, casing/cementing, mud program knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling programs for deepwater wells.
• Lead well design, casing/cementing, and mud programs.
• Conduct risk assessments and contingency planning.
• Oversee operations, safety compliance, and cost control.
• Manage drilling performance, costs, and schedules.
• Coordinate with rig contractors and service providers.
• Monitor wellbore stability and fluid properties.
• Ensure well control and hazard management.
• Prepare post-well reports and lessons learned.
• Mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Deepwater drilling

Drilling engineering

Well control

Risk management

Offshore operations

Leadership and communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Drilling simulation software

Performance tracking tools

Job description

Placements24 urgently seeks a Senior Drilling Engineer for offshore deepwater operations based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The role focuses on planning, executing and supervising drilling campaigns, ensuring safety, efficiency and cost control across offshore exploration programs.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering with 8+ years in drilling, strong well-control and risk management skills, and IWCF Level 4 certification. International travel may be required.