Senior Drilling Engineer

Senior Drilling Engineer

IOTA GROUP is an international engineering and technical services company supporting major industrial and energy projects worldwide. With over 40 years of experience, we provide specialized expertise to clients operating in the Oil & Gas, Energy, Infrastructure and Industrial sectors.

On behalf of one of our clients, an innovative Switzerland-based energy company developing projects across energy resources, metals and critical elements, we are currently recruiting a highly experienced Senior Drilling Engineer to join its technical team in Geneva, Switzerland. This is a permanent employment contract.

Our client combines established Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (E&P) expertise with advanced drilling technologies to support the exploration and development of conventional and emerging subsurface resources.

This is an opportunity for an experienced drilling professional to take on a senior technical role, contributing to international drilling projects, operational excellence and the development of innovative drilling solutions.

Job Description

As a Senior Drilling Engineer, you will act as a Technical Authority for Drilling, providing engineering expertise throughout the entire well lifecycle, from initial design and planning to execution, completion and abandonment.

You will support international projects, contribute to the development of corporate drilling standards, and drive operational performance through advanced technologies and digital solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• 1. Well Engineering & Drilling Design
• Lead end-to-end well design, from Basis of Design (BOD) to drilling, completion, workover, well testing and Plugging & Abandonment (P&A).
• Develop and review casing and cementing programmes, well trajectories, drilling fluids and completion designs.
• Address complex drilling challenges involving fractured and carbonate formations, corrosive brines, hydrogen (H₂), helium (He) and challenging subsurface conditions.
• Ensure well integrity, technical compliance and engineering quality throughout the well lifecycle.
• Define scopes of work and review technical studies performed by external drilling engineering providers.
• 2. Drilling Planning, Tendering & Cost Management
• Prepare comprehensive drilling programmes, cost estimates (AFEs), operational schedules and technical documentation.
• Support the development of business cases in collaboration with operating companies.
• Lead rig selection, drilling contractor evaluations and tendering processes.
• Conduct technical evaluations of drilling contracts, service providers and associated contractual strategies.
• Ensure drilling solutions meet operational, technical and financial objectives.
• 3. Drilling Operations & Risk Management
• Provide technical supervision of drilling operations, both remotely and on-site, depending on project requirements.
• Act as the group's Drilling Technical Authority, supporting operational teams and engineering decisions.
• Identify and manage critical drilling risks, including well control, HSE, induced seismicity, aquifer protection, lost circulation and pore pressure.
• Address wellbore stability challenges in subsalt, fractured and karstified formations.
• Ensure operational compliance with applicable technical, environmental and regulatory requirements.
• 4. Digital Transformation & Drilling Performance
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven drilling solutions.
• Support digital well planning, real-time drilling monitoring and performance analytics.
• Integrate advanced engineering tools to improve drilling efficiency, operational performance and risk management.
• Promote innovative technologies and continuous improvement across international drilling operations.
• 5. Technical Standards, Compliance & Expertise
• Develop and implement corporate drilling standards, best practices and Well Operations Management Plans (WOMP) adapted to different operational environments.
• Prepare technical documentation for permits and regulatory submissions across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.
• Support external consulting assignments, including technical audits, drilling reviews, feasibility studies and expert assessments.
• Capture and share lessons learned across projects.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior drilling engineers.

Qualifications

• Education & Professional Experience

• Degree in Petroleum Engineering, Drilling Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in Drilling Engineering, primarily within the Oil & Gas industry.

• Proven expertise in both office-based well engineering and field drilling operations.

• Demonstrated experience drilling carbonate reservoirs.

• Strong hands-on experience in fractured formations, including lost circulation, wellbore stability and related drilling and completion challenges.

• Significant international drilling experience across multiple basins, operators and operational environments.

• Solid experience in onshore drilling operations; offshore experience would be a strong advantage.

• Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of well design, drilling programmes, casing, cementing, drilling fluids and well integrity.

• Strong understanding of drilling contractors, well services, tendering and technical contract evaluations.

• Proven ability to manage complex drilling engineering challenges and operational risks.

• Experience in deep wells, high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) environments, hard-rock drilling or Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) would be highly valued.

• Previous exposure to geothermal energy, natural hydrogen or helium drilling would be an advantage but is not mandatory.

• Familiarity with digital drilling technologies, real-time monitoring and data analytics would be beneficial.

• Certifications & Languages

• IWCF or IADC Well Control Certification.

• Fluent English, both written and spoken, is essential.

• Knowledge of French and/or German would be an advantage.

• Personal Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to operate independently and make sound technical decisions.

• Excellent communication skills within international and multidisciplinary teams.

• Recognized technical expertise and professional credibility within the drilling industry.

• Strong commitment to HSE, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Genuine interest in advanced drilling technologies and the energy transition.

• Additional Information

• Place of work: Geneva, Switzerland

• Working Schedule: Resident position – 5 days per week

• Start Date: ASAP

• Travel Requirements: Regular travel to well sites and client projects in Switzerland and internationally.