Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer: Field Technical Lead

Placements24; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement contributions

Job summary

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer to design, implement, and manage drilling fluid programs. You will support on-site operations, monitor fluid performance, and optimize mud systems to improve drilling rates while minimizing formation damage.

The role requires a chemical engineering or related degree and 7+ years of hands-on drilling fluids experience, with strong rheology knowledge and solids control familiarity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Petroleum Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in drilling fluids engineering with hands-on exposure.
• In-depth knowledge of drilling fluid systems, additives, rheology, and chemical properties.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage drilling fluid programs tailored to well objectives and geology.
• Provide on-site technical support and oversight for drilling fluid ops.
• Monitor drilling fluid properties and adjust to maintain optimal conditions.
• Troubleshoot drilling fluid issues including loss circulation and differential sticking.
• Analyze fluid samples and data to identify improvements.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations for drilling fluids.
• Manage inventory of drilling fluid chemicals and equipment.
• Train and mentor junior drilling fluids personnel.
• Prepare technical reports and present findings to clients and teams.
• Stay updated with advancements in drilling fluid technology.

Skills

Drilling fluids engineering

Fluid chemistry

Rheology

Solids control

Wellbore optimization

Field troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Solids control equipment

Drilling fluid testing equipment

Job description

Placements24 in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, is seeking a Senior Drilling Fluids Engineer to design, implement, and manage drilling fluid programs. You will support on-site operations, monitor fluid performance, and optimize mud systems to improve drilling rates while minimizing formation damage.

The role requires a chemical engineering or related degree and 7+ years of hands-on drilling fluids experience, with strong rheology knowledge and solids control familiarity.