Senior Drilling Engineer - Remote

Placements24; George; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement fund with employer matching

Generous annual leave

Professional development and training

Access to advanced drilling technology

Fully remote with flexible hours

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer for a fully remote position based in George, Western Cape. The role focuses on planning, executing, and optimizing drilling programs with safety, efficiency, and cost control as priorities.

You will design drilling programs, manage drilling risks, and ensure compliance with industry standards while contributing to challenging projects in a flexible, remote environment. Leadership and strong technical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Petroleum or Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years hands-on drilling engineering experience.
• Experience in planning and executing complex drilling operations.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation software and directional survey analysis tools.
• Strong well control knowledge; MPD/ERD experience advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling plans for onshore and offshore wells.
• Design well trajectories and plan directional drilling.
• Identify and mitigate drilling risks (kicks, blowouts, stuck pipe).
• Select equipment, fluids and technologies for drilling.
• Oversee operations, monitor progress and troubleshoot issues.
• Conduct post-drilling analysis and performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with HSE regulations; manage budgets.
• Collaborate with geoscientists and reservoir engineers.
• Stay updated on drilling technology and best practices.

Skills

Drilling engineering

Well control

MPD knowledge

ERD experience

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Petroleum/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Drilling simulation software

Directional survey analysis tools

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent player in the Oil & Gas sector, is actively seeking an experienced Senior Drilling Engineer for a fully remote position based in George, Western Cape. This role is critical for the planning, execution, and optimization of drilling operations, ensuring safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. As a remote-first organization, we empower our engineers with the tools and autonomy to excel from any location. You will be instrumental in designing drilling programs, managing drilling risks, and ensuring compliance with all industry standards and regulations. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute your expertise to challenging projects while enjoying the benefits of a flexible, remote work setup. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical background in drilling engineering and a proven track record of successful project delivery in diverse operational environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling plans and programs for onshore and offshore wells.
• Perform wellbore trajectory design and directional drilling planning.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate drilling-related risks, including kicks, blowouts, and stuck pipe.
• Select appropriate drilling equipment, fluids, and technologies.
• Oversee drilling operations, monitor progress, and troubleshoot operational issues in real-time.
• Conduct post-drilling analysis and performance reviews to identify areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations.
• Prepare cost estimates and manage drilling budgets effectively.
• Collaborate with geoscientists, reservoir engineers, and other disciplines.
• Stay updated on advancements in drilling technology and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of 7 years of hands‑on experience in drilling engineering.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing complex drilling operations.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation software and directional survey analysis tools.
• Strong knowledge of well control principles and procedures.
• Experience with managed pressure drilling (MPD) and extended reach drilling (ERD) is a significant advantage.
• Excellent problem‑solving and decision‑making capabilities under pressure.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to undergo background checks.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance incentives.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement fund with employer matching.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Access to advanced drilling technologies and software.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• A supportive and collaborative remote team environment.
• Travel allowances for occasional required site visits.