Senior Drilling Engineer — Lead Complex Operations (Pretoria)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Lead Drilling Engineer to oversee complex drilling operations. You will plan, execute, and optimize all drilling activities, providing technical leadership to crews and support staff for safe, cost-efficient well construction.

You will require a Bachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering and 7+ years in drilling, with strong experience in well planning, simulation, and contractor management. Travel to field sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in drilling engineering with leadership of complex operations.
• Proven expertise in well planning, cementing, casing, and well control.
• Experience with budgets and contractor management.

Responsibilities

• Develop drilling plans including trajectories, casings, and cementing.
• Oversee drilling operations ensuring safety and policy compliance.
• Manage equipment, rig selection, procurement, and supervision.
• Mentor junior engineers and field staff.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Well planning

Drilling simulation

Leadership

Budget management

Problem solving

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering

Mechanical Engineering (related)

Tools

Well planning software

Drilling simulation tools

Job description

Placements24 in Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa, seeks a Lead Drilling Engineer to oversee complex drilling operations. You will plan, execute, and optimize all drilling activities, providing technical leadership to crews and support staff for safe, cost-efficient well construction.

You will require a Bachelor's in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering and 7+ years in drilling, with strong experience in well planning, simulation, and contractor management. Travel to field sites is expected.