Drilling Engineer Jobs and Career Opportunities

Are you looking for a drilling engineer job? Read on to find out more about the jobs market and how you can take the first steps in your drilling engineer career.

What does a drilling engineering job entail?

Drilling engineers play a very important role in upstream oil and gas production. They manage the safe and efficient drilling of wells to procure resources. 

This role involves planning, developing and supervising the operations necessary for drilling oil and gas wells. Some projects take place on land, but drilling engineers are often required to work offshore. 

Drilling engineers often work alongside geologists and geoscientists to monitor drilling project progress. It is also their responsibility to take care of safety management and environmental protection during projects. 

Responsibilities for a drilling engineer typically include:

  • Creating drilling programmes
  • Monitoring the daily progress of drilling operations 
  • Monitoring on-site safety and environmental protection standards 
  • Coordinating and supervising drilling projects
  • Actively promoting HSSE and Sustainable Development (SD) in all projects 
  • Coaching and mentoring team members 
  • Keeping track of timing and costs 
  • Managing work schedules 
  • Coordinating materials, equipment and human resources 
  • Developing personal performance reviews for team members 
  • Assessing logistical requirements 
  • Ensuring drilling activity complies with time and cost budgets 

What qualifications do I need to become a drilling engineer?

Most drilling engineer careers require an engineering degree. However, there are certain disciplines that might help you get the role you want. These include:

  • Mechanical engineering 
  • Petroleum engineering 
  • Geotechnical engineering 
  • Aeronautical engineering 
  • Chemical engineering
  • Civil or structural engineering 
  • Marine engineering 
  • Minerals engineering 

Most drilling engineer jobs will also require you to have substantial experience in drilling completion. You may also need experience in supervision and operations, as well as in working on different types of campaigns and projects. Offshore drilling experience may also be required, depending on the type of role you apply for.


Who employs drilling engineers?

Drilling engineer vacancies are advertised by major oil companies around the world. With many drilling operations taking place overseas, it’s common for employers to recruit new talent internationally. 

Typical employers include:

  • Oil operation and production companies, particularly large international oil organisations 
  • Integrated service providers who provide staff in different disciplines 
  • Engineering consultancies 
  • Specialist drilling contractors undertaking drilling work internationally. These companies usually have their own drilling rigs. 

Why Airswift?

Airswift is a recruitment company that understands the demanding nature of the energy, process and infrastructure sectors. Over the last 40 years, we’ve helped thousands of candidates find jobs worldwide and we have more than 60 offices across the globe.

Airswift has a vast global presence and with head offices in Houston, Manchester and Singapore, we can help you find onshore and offshore drilling jobs in countries all over the world. 

If your drilling engineer job requires you to relocate overseas, we can make the transition as smooth as possible. We can provide support for travel, documentation, housing and more. 

Find out more about our relocation services


Are you an employer looking for drilling engineers?

If you’re an employer or hiring manager looking for talent to fill your drilling engineer positions, we can help. Airswift can take care of all HR details such as contract negotiation, background checks and drug screens. This will give you more time to run your business. 

Learn more about our services


Contact Airswift 

Get started with your job search by uploading your CV on this page. We look forward to helping you find your next job!

 

What other candidates say

  • “Individuals have gone the extra mile to ensure that my needs and concerns have been dealt with in a most professional manner. In my opinion, no company has conducted itself in a more professional manner than Airswift.”

  • “Whenever I had a question there was always someone there to answer it. My old company ‘forgot’ about me after I had started but, Airswift has always been there. I’m very pleased.”

  • “I have talked to several different agencies and none of them have been as great as Airswift!!”

Don’t see a vacancy for you?

Login or register for our candidate portal to stay updated with recommended jobs.

Visit our candidate portal

Drilling engineer positions we have previously filled

  • Deepwater Drilling Engineer
  • Deepwater Night Drilling Supervisor
  • Director of Drilling
  • Drilling & Blasting Superintendent 
  • Drilling & Completion Engineer 
  • Drilling & Process Engineer
  • Drilling & Well Construction Supervisor 
  • Drilling Engineering Technician
  • Drilling Environment Advisor 
  • Drilling Fluids Engineer
  • Drilling Manager
  • Drilling Quality Manager
  • Drilling Regulatory Specialist
  • Drilling Rig Mechanical Static Engineer
  • Drilling Site Consultant 
  • Drilling SSHE Supervisor 
  • Drilling Subsea Engineer 
  • Drilling Superintendent 
  • Drilling Well Engineer
  • Exploration Drilling Manager
  • Lead Drilling Supervisor
  • Mechanical Drilling Equipment Specialist
  • Offshore Drilling Engineer
  • Principal Drilling Engineer
  • Rig Based Drilling Engineer 
  • Shale Drilling Engineer 
  • Subsea Drilling Engineering Manager
  • Well Drilling Superintendent 
  • Winter Drilling Engineer