Senior Drilling Engineer - Onshore Operations

Placements24; Rustenburg; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,900,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Performance-based bonuses

International exposure

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa invites a seasoned Senior Drilling Engineer to lead and manage onshore drilling operations in the Rustenburg area. You will design drilling programs, select equipment, coordinate service providers, and ensure safety and environmental standards are met.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of onshore drilling experience, strong leadership and project-management skills, and a proactive approach to risk in the North West oil and gas landscape.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering required.
• Minimum 8 years in drilling engineering with onshore focus.
• Experience in well planning, directional drilling, and formation evaluation.

Responsibilities

• Develop drilling programs, well design, and casing design.
• Select equipment, fluids, and tools to optimize performance and reduce costs.
• Oversee daily drilling operations and provide technical guidance to rig crews.
• Manage relationships with drilling contractors and service providers.
• Conduct pre-spud meetings, risk assessments, and post-well reviews.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Onshore drilling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Drilling simulation software

Real-time drilling data analysis

Job description

About the Role

Our client is looking for a seasoned Senior Drilling Engineer to lead and manage drilling operations for their onshore projects in the Rustenburg area. This role is crucial for the safe, efficient, and cost-effective execution of drilling campaigns. You will be responsible for designing drilling programs, selecting equipment, managing service providers, and ensuring adherence to safety and environmental standards. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in onshore drilling operations and a proactive approach to risk management within the North West province's Oil & Gas landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop comprehensive drilling programs, including well design, trajectory planning, and casing design.
• Select appropriate drilling equipment, fluids, and tools to optimize drilling performance and minimize costs.
• Oversee daily drilling operations, providing technical guidance and troubleshooting support to rig crews.
• Manage relationships with drilling contractors, vendors, and service providers to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct pre-spud meetings, risk assessments, and post-well reviews to continuously improve drilling practices.
• Ensure strict compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in Rustenburg .

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in drilling engineering, with significant time spent on onshore operations.
• Proven experience in well planning, directional drilling, and formation evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of drilling fluids, cementation, and completion techniques.
• Familiarity with drilling simulation software and real-time drilling data analysis.
• Excellent leadership, project management, and communication skills.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Performance-based bonuses tied to operational success.
• Opportunities for career advancement and international exposure.
• A commitment to employee safety and well-being in the North West .
• Challenging projects within a dynamic Oil & Gas environment near Rustenburg .