Senior Drilling Engineer

Job Role:

Senior Drilling Engineer

Work Location:

Aberdeen

Department:
Wells

The Drilling Engineer is responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing drilling operations to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective extraction of oil and gas. This role involves developing well plans, selecting appropriate drilling techniques and equipment, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to optimize performance while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

• Designs technically sound and cost-effective well plans that address historical challenges encountered in nearby wells.
• Prepares accurate cost estimates and time forecasts to support budgeting and project planning.
• Ensures all drilling activities comply with regulatory requirements and internal company standards.
• Provides operational support during drilling execution, troubleshooting issues and optimizing performance in real time.

• Ensure that all activities and behaviours are carried out in accordance with Ethics and Compliance Policies and Procedures, and to complete any compulsory compliance training as required.

• Implement safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible well designs and operations.
• Conduct detailed offset well reviews to inform well planning and mitigate historical issues.
• Develop comprehensive well designs that include optimal casing schemes, shoe placement, directional paths and mud programmes to ensure well integrity, manage PPFG, and achieve all well objectives safely and efficiently.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements and company standards.
• Develop accurate cost estimates with appropriate contingencies and monitor cost performance.
• Manage well projects using the Well Delivery Process, including risk assessments and mitigation planning.
• Provide technical support and operational analysis to offshore teams, especially during critical operations.
• Track and analyse operational performance, ensuring data integrity and continuous improvement.
• Document lessons learned and apply them to future well planning.
• Coordinate with service companies and ensure timely procurement of equipment.
• Maintain effective communication through pre-spud meetings and regular project updates.
• Mobilise offshore as and when required by business.
• ER Allowance – The postholder may be required to join the emergency response rota should this become a requirement of the position.

• Relevant Engineering Degree (or equivalent) with strong knowledge of well engineering principles and operations.
• Proven experience in well planning and construction, including casing design, mud programmes, and risk mitigation.
• Strong understanding of the full well lifecycle and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Effective decision‑making and planning skills, with the ability to develop practical solutions under pressure.
• Collaborative mindset, building strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external partners.
• Commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, aligned with company HSEQ policies and values.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed.

We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market‑leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.