Senior Drilling Engineer - Exploration & Production

Placements24; Noord-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus program

Medical & life insurance

Retirement contributions

International assignments

Professional development

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer to join our upstream team in Kimberley, SA. You will design drilling programs, manage drilling risks, and lead field teams to ensure safe, efficient operations.

The role emphasizes extensive drilling experience, offshore or challenging environments, and a commitment to safety and environmental performance across exploration and production wells.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering.
• At least 8 years of progressive drilling engineering experience.
• Experience planning and executing complex drilling operations.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation software and well planning tools.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Experience offshore or challenging onshore drilling environments is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs and procedures, including casing and cementing designs, BHA selection, and directional plans.
• Perform drilling risk assessments and mitigation for kicks, lost circulation, and stuck pipe.
• Manage rig-site drilling operations, supervising crews and ensuring safety and program adherence.
• Optimize drilling performance by monitoring parameters, analyzing data, and applying best practices.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Contribute to post-well analysis and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Leadership

Well planning

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Drilling simulation software

Well planning tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client is seeking an accomplished Senior Drilling Engineer to join their upstream operations team based in Kimberley . This role is integral to the planning, execution, and optimization of drilling operations for oil and gas exploration and production wells. You will be responsible for designing drilling programs, managing drilling risks, ensuring operational efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental performance. This position requires extensive experience in drilling engineering, a strong understanding of subsurface challenges, and the ability to lead and collaborate effectively with field teams and management.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs and procedures, including casing and cementing designs, BHA selection, and directional plans.
• Perform drilling risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies for potential hazards such as kicks, lost circulation, and stuck pipe.
• Manage drilling operations at the rig site, supervising drilling crews and ensuring adherence to the program and safety standards.
• Optimize drilling performance by monitoring key parameters, analyzing data, and implementing best practices for efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations during drilling operations.
• Contribute to post-well analysis, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives in drilling technology and practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in drilling engineering, including significant hands‑on experience in planning and executing complex drilling operations.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation software and well planning tools.
• Thorough understanding of drilling fluid properties, well control principles, and formation evaluation techniques.
• Strong leadership, problem‑solving, and decision‑making abilities.
• Experience with offshore or challenging onshore drilling environments is highly desirable.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and generous performance-based bonus program.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, life insurance, and retirement contributions.
• Opportunities for international assignments and extensive professional development .
• Direct involvement in critical energy exploration projects.
• A challenging and rewarding career within a respected global energy company.