Senior Drilling Engineer

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60841280 Posted: 08/09/2026

PAYE Rate Negotiable
Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Echt
Contract

Our client is currently recruiting for the position of Senior Drilling Engineer, based in Aberdeen. This is a core contract position with an initial 12-month term and annual extensions thereafter. Our client anticipates the work continuing through to 2028, and potentially beyond.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring that the well delivery process is followed and identifying any areas of improvement
• Responsible for maintaining the following project documents: Action Tracker, Risk & Opportunity Register, Decision Log, PLANC tracker and Lessons Learned Register
• Ensure the well engineering delivers the well objectives in a risk-based manner that is ALARP, safe & efficient
• Responsible for the Class 3 deterministic time & cost estimate & Class 2 probabilistic time & cost AFE
• Critical long-lead items identified, especially for equipment or activity with 1+ year lead time or implementation time
• Responsible for the creation of the Wells Basis of Design for each of the candidate wells
• Identify base well design methodology and design requirements
• Responsible for well preparation, casing exit, drilling & completion programmes
• Assist preparation of the Final Investment Decision (FID) documentation
• Agreed sequence of wells including any SIMOPs activities if relevant
• Ensure the detailed programmes for well preparation & intervention work are completed on time
• Ensure sufficient redundancy and contingency within the planning team to maintain operational continuity
• Responsible for the well preparation & design of wells in accordance with UK regulations & internal corporate standards
• Coordination of the well delivery process. Creation of supporting documentation in conjunction with the drilling engineer; Drilling Programme, HAZID / HAZOP, DWOP, Pre-spud, HSE Notification, governmental applications & consents, MoC and RA, derogations, abandonment plans, end of well reports, after action reviews, experience sharing (anticipate REXs, lessons learned), SIMOPS & bridging Documents etc
• Lead the Well Scope of Requirement (WSOR) process from within the drilling & wells team. Input to the WSOR to ensure the well delivery process is managed correctly
• Provide drilling engineering support to the operations team as required (directional plan, hydraulics, swab and surge, tubing forces modelling, well control calculations etc.)
• Well project interface, when necessary, liaison with internal departments; asset, subsurface, reservoir, well performance, completion, testing, intervention, contracts & procurement, well examination etc.
• Responsible for creating the well preparation plan in conjunction with the Drilling Engineer
• Assist preparation & review of budget and duration estimates, raise related Contract Release Orders and Service Orders
• Follow operational cost control, advise of any budget over-spend & follow-up end of well cost reporting
• Update and follow-up of the rig cost control for service contracts involved in drilling and completion operations
• Well design & delivery optimisation through applications of safe working practices, application of new technology & implementation of a drilling improvement plan (well performance improvement)
• Responsible for detailed engineering design solutions in conjunction with the project team members and service providers, including: mud design for high overbalance drilling scenario, bit design, mud motor selection, M/LWD selection, well trajectory design,
• Support the operations team through communication, interaction & problem solving
• Equipment: Recommend equipment type & quantity including long lead items. Follow equipment development & qualification where necessary. Track equipment through the supply chain & prepare for well programme changes
• Master ‘CTD specialties’ including well preparation, casing exit, fluids selection, BHA / mud motor / bit design & selection, CTD techniques
• Studies: Undertake technical studies during the well planning process & supervise small task forces to resolve engineering / technical issues, ad-hoc support on pre-FID projects (technical, Time, Cost).
• Contract Management: management of specific areas of the technical aspect of multiple contracts between the engineering & operational functions including budget control, service quality reviews & tendering of multi-service line contracts as agreed with Wells Team Lead
• Delegation: Delegate for the Project Team Lead and Drilling Superintendent
• Assist the Project Team Lead and demonstrate commitment to safety
• Learn & develop Continuous Improvement Projects / Lean initiatives
• Perform the Technical Interface role between Company and its partners. Present & report to the partner forums
• Supervise and coach/mentor entry level engineers