Senior Drilling Engineer - Remote Focused

Placements24; Vereeniging; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Medical insurance

Vision & dental insurance

Retirement plan

Bonuses

Job summary

Placements24 invites an experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to join a remote-first energy team. You will lead planning, execution, and optimization of drilling campaigns with remote support from field teams and stakeholders. This role emphasizes safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in complex projects.

You will leverage advanced drilling tools (StressCheck, DEEP-1, WellPlan) and mentor junior engineers while driving technical standards and post-job analyses in a global energy context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of drilling engineering experience with a track record of managing complex drilling projects.
• Strong knowledge of drilling hydraulics, cementation, well control, and directional drilling.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation and planning software (StressCheck, DEEP-1, WellPlan).
• Ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills for remote teams.
• Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling plans, programs, and cost estimates for various well types.
• Provide remote engineering support and oversight for ongoing drilling operations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Optimize drilling parameters and procedures to improve efficiency and reduce NPT.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.
• Analyze drilling performance data and implement lessons learned.
• Evaluate and recommend new drilling technologies and techniques.
• Collaborate with geoscientists, completions engineers, and other disciplines.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical standards.
• Prepare technical reports, end-of-well analyses, and post-job reviews.

Skills

Drilling hydraulics

Cementing

Well control

Directional drilling

Autonomous work

Analytical thinking

Decision-making

Remote collaboration

Education

Bachelor's in Petroleum Engineering

Tools

StressCheck

DEEP-1

WellPlan

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking energy company, is looking for an experienced **Senior Drilling Engineer** to join their innovative, remote-first operations team. This role is pivotal in the planning, execution, and optimization of drilling campaigns, providing expert engineering support without the need for a fixed office location. You will leverage advanced digital tools and collaborative platforms to work closely with field teams and internal stakeholders, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling operations. The successful candidate will have a strong background in drilling technology, well design, risk management, and performance analysis. This is an exceptional opportunity for a self-driven professional seeking to make a significant impact in the Oil & Gas industry while enjoying the flexibility of a fully remote work arrangement. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and technological advancement in our drilling practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed drilling plans, programs, and cost estimates for various well types.
• Provide remote engineering support and oversight for ongoing drilling operations.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Optimize drilling parameters and procedures to enhance efficiency and reduce non-productive time (NPT).
• Conduct thorough risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies for drilling operations.
• Analyze drilling performance data and implement lessons learned.
• Evaluate and recommend new drilling technologies and techniques.
• Collaborate effectively with geoscientists, completions engineers, and other disciplines.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of technical standards.
• Prepare technical reports, end-of-well analyses, and post-job reviews.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in drilling engineering, with a proven track record of successfully managing complex drilling projects.
• In-depth knowledge of drilling hydraulics, cementation, well control, and directional drilling.
• Proficiency in drilling simulation and planning software (e.g., StressCheck, DEEP-1, WellPlan).
• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and manage multiple priorities in a remote setting.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate remotely.
• Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship.
• Experience in leading technical reviews and mentoring team members.
• Adaptability and a proactive approach to challenges.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package.
• Flexible, fully remote working conditions.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous retirement savings plan with company contributions.
• Performance-based bonuses and potential for equity options.
• Extensive professional development opportunities, including training and certifications.
• Access to cutting-edge remote collaboration technologies.
• Involvement in impactful projects with global reach.