Senior Drilling Engineer

Saipem is a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. Saipem is “One Company” organized into business lines: Asset Based Services, Drilling, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind, Sustainable Infrastructures, Robotics & Industrialized Solutions. Always oriented towards technological innovation, the company’s purpose is “Engineering for a sustainable future”. As such Saipem is committed to supporting its clients on the energy transition pathway towards Net Zero, with increasingly digital means, technologies and processes geared for environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, it is present in more than 50 countries around the world and employs about 30,000 people of over 130 nationalities.

Job Title: Senior Drilling Engineer

Location: To be confirmed, urban assignment probably in Europe or UAE.

Job Description

Position Overview

We are seeking a seasoned and visionary Senior Drilling Engineer to join our Drilling Team and play a pivotal role in our Real-Time Operations Center.

This role demands a highly experienced professional with 20 years in offshore drilling engineering, including deepwater (floaters) and shallow water (jackup) operations, as well as high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) wells.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in both exploratory and development well projects, having worked with multiple International Oil Companies (IOCs) and National Oil Companies (NOCs) on world-class fields, preferably within mega projects or deepwater developments.

Key Responsibilities

Real-Time Operations Center Leadership

• Spearhead the development and management of the Drilling Engineering KPI dashboard.
• Monitor real-time drilling performance, analyze trends, and provide actionable insights to operations teams.
• Collaborate with performance engineers to drive continuous improvement and operational efficiency.
  
  

Technical Oversight & QA/QC

• Review and validate Operators’ drilling programs, ensuring compliance with best practices and regulatory standards.
• Attend DWOP (Drilling Well on Paper) sessions and provide technical assistance during Well Delivery Process (WDP).
• Apply advanced engineering principles to push the boundaries of well design and execution (“Beyond the Limit” engineering).
  
  

Well Delivery Lifecycle Management

• Oversee and support the full well delivery process: Identify, Assess, Select, Define, Execute, and Decommission.
• Ensure technical integrity and operational excellence across all phases of well planning and execution.
• Assess and prepare MOC from Standards.
  
  

Collaboration & Team Building

• Work closely with drilling superintendents, rig managers, and cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, and performance excellence.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to talent development within the organization.
  
  

Rig Automation & Technology Integration

• Leverage experience in rig automation to enhance operational safety and efficiency.
• Integrate cutting-edge technologies and software tools into daily workflows.
  
  

Experience

Minimum Qualifications

• 20 years as a Planning and Operations Drilling Engineer.
• Extensive offshore experience: floaters/deepwater and jackup/shallow water.
• Proven expertise in HPHT wells, exploratory and development projects.
• Exposure to at least 3–4 IOCs/NOCs in world-class fields.
  
  

Soft Skills

• Exceptional leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
  
  

What are we looking for?

Education: Master of Science in Engineering (5-year program), preferably in Mining, Petroleum, or Mechanical Engineering.

Languages: English Language skills required

Technical Knowledge

• Proficient in Landmark EDM and other well engineering software platforms.
• Strong analytical skills with a data-driven approach to performance optimization.
  
  

What We Can Offer To You

• 12 months contract duration re-newable (subject to extension according to Company needs)
• Corporate Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance.
• Our One Saipem Way soft skills model leverages on skills development, career growth, opportunities to innovate through complex challenges by promoting communication and collaboration to achieve common goals.
  
  

Additional Information

We embrace diversity! At Saipem, we believe that innovation thrives through diversity. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we stand against discrimination based on gender identity, race, nationality, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and everything else that makes employees of SAIPEM companies unique.

Safety and Sustainability matter to us! Operating in difficult and at times extreme situations, the focus is always on the health and safety of people and the preservation of the natural ecosystem.

Find out more in our website: https://www.saipem.com/en/gpsag