Are you looking for a contracted or full time drilling engineer job within the oil and gas sector? On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know, including what the responsibilities are, what qualifications you’ll need and more.
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.
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.
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!
