Midland, Texas, United States

Senior Drilling Engineer

 Job Description:


Our Client, a leader in Oil and Gas is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to join our technical team. In this role, you will be the lead engineer responsible for the end-to-end design, planning, and execution support of complex drilling operations.  You will work closely with geologists, reservoir engineers, and field teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective well delivery. The ideal candidate must have a strong commitment to HSE standards and possesses a proven track record of optimizing drilling performance.

Responsibilities

  • Well Engineering & Design: Create comprehensive Basis of Design (BoD) documents, including trajectory design, casing design, cementing strategies, and drill string/BHA configurations.
  • Operational Support: Provide real-time technical guidance and troubleshooting during drilling operations, including handling complex issues like lost circulation, vibrations, and stuck pipe.
  • Performance Optimization: Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as ROP and NPT reduction to improve well cycle time and reduce cost-per-foot.
  • AFE & Cost Management: Build detailed time and cost models (AFE), tracking expenditures, and managing project economics from spud to completion.
  • Risk Management: Conduct HAZID/HAZOP and SIMOPS reviews to proactively mitigate risks and prepare contingency plans.
  • Vendor Management: Liaise with drilling contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure compliance with quality control standards.
  • Mentorship: Mentor junior and intermediate engineers, elevating technical standards across the drilling team.

Required Qualifications & Skills

  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
  • Experience: Minimum of 7 years of drilling engineering experience, with significant experience in [onshore horizontal / offshore / HPHT] drilling environments.
  • Technical Expertise: Strong background in casing design, torque & drag modeling, hydraulics, and directional drilling principles.
  • Software Proficiency: Experience with industry-standard software (e.g., Landmark/WellPlan, Petrel, Compass, OpenWells, WellCat).
  • Certifications: Valid IADC WellSharp or IWCF Supervisor Level well control certification.
  • Soft Skills: Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make fast decisions under pressure.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) License.
  • Experience with geothermal, unconventional shale, or Deepwater projects.
  • Master's degree in Engineering.