Senior Drilling Engineer

IOTA GROUP is an international engineering and technical services company supporting major industrial and energy projects worldwide. With over40 years of experience, we provide specialized expertise to clients operating in theOil & Gas, Energy, Infrastructure and Industrial sectors.

On behalf of one of our clients, an innovativeSwitzerland-based energy company developing projects acrossenergy resources, metals and critical elements, we are currently recruiting a highly experiencedSenior Drilling Engineer to join its technical team inGeneva, Switzerland. => This is a permanent employment contract. 

Our client combines establishedOil & 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 asenior technical role, contributing to international drilling projects, operational excellence and the development of innovative drilling solutions.

As aSenior Drilling Engineer, you will act as aTechnical 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 ofcorporate drilling standards, and drive operational performance through advanced technologies and digital solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Well Engineering & Drilling Design

• Leadend-to-end well design, fromBasis of Design (BOD) to drilling, completion, workover, well testing andPlugging & Abandonment (P&A).

• Develop and reviewcasing and cementing programmes, well trajectories, drilling fluids and completion designs.

• Address complex drilling challenges involvingfractured and carbonate formations, corrosive brines, hydrogen (H₂), helium (He) and challenging subsurface conditions.

• Ensurewell 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 comprehensivedrilling programmes, cost estimates (AFEs), operational schedules and technical documentation.

• Support the development of business cases in collaboration with operating companies.

• Leadrig selection, drilling contractor evaluations and tendering processes.

• Conduct technical evaluations ofdrilling 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, bothremotely and on-site, depending on project requirements.

• Act as the group'sDrilling Technical Authority, supporting operational teams and engineering decisions.

• Identify and manage critical drilling risks, includingwell control, HSE, induced seismicity, aquifer protection, lost circulation and pore pressure.

• Addresswellbore 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 ofArtificial Intelligence (AI) and data-driven drilling solutions.

• Supportdigital well planning, real-time drilling monitoring and performance analytics.

• Integrate advanced engineering tools to improvedrilling efficiency, operational performance and risk management.

• Promote innovative technologies and continuous improvement across international drilling operations.

5. Technical Standards, Compliance & Expertise

• Develop and implementcorporate drilling standards, best practices and Well Operations Management Plans (WOMP) adapted to different operational environments.

• Prepare technical documentation forpermits and regulatory submissions across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific.

• Support external consulting assignments, includingtechnical audits, drilling reviews, feasibility studies and expert assessments.

• Capture and sharelessons learned across projects.

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring tojunior drilling engineers.

Education & Professional Experience

• Degree inPetroleum Engineering, Drilling Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Minimum15 years of professional experience in Drilling Engineering, primarily within theOil & Gas industry.

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

• Demonstrated experience drillingcarbonate reservoirs.

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

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

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

Technical Skills

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

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

• Proven ability to manage complexdrilling engineering challenges and operational risks.

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

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

• Familiarity withdigital 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 ofFrench and/or German would be an advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Stronganalytical and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to operate independently and make sound technical decisions.

• Excellent communication skills withininternational and multidisciplinary teams.

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

• Strong commitment toHSE, operational excellence and continuous improvement.

• Genuine interest inadvanced drilling technologies and the energy transition.

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.

Interested in this opportunity?

Are you an experiencedSenior Drilling Engineer with a strong background inOil & Gas drilling, complex well engineering and international operations?

This position offers the opportunity to apply your technical expertise to challenging drilling projects and contribute to the development of innovative subsurface energy solutions.

Apply now and take the next step in your international career with IOTA GROUP.