Drilling Engineer in Edinburgh

CompetitiveScotland Scotland Aberdeen CityContract Oil & Gas Job Title: Drilling EngineerActual Job Title: Rig Verifier – DrillingNumber of roles: 1Contract Length: 1st December 2026-31st Jan 28Location: Overseas offshore (UK based candidates only)Hours per day/week: 28/28Job DescriptionThe Rig Verifier provides technically credible, independent verification by assessing whether selected Wells barriers are implemented and effective. The role supports the Wells Rig Verification Annual Plan and applies a proportionate, evidence-based approach across rig intake, start-up and operational verification activities.Key responsibilitiesPlan and scope verificationSupport development and review of Terms of Reference, Lines of Enquiry, verification scope, test plans, daily plans and sampling strategies. Use applicable barriers, rig lifecycle stage, prior findings, operational changes, contractor and rig intelligence, and emerging risks to target the work.Verify barrier effectivenessIndependently verify people, process and plant through interviews, observation, records review, physical inspection and functional testing. Determine whether selected barriers are present, suitable, implemented and working as intended.Support rig intake and start-up assuranceParticipate in Technical Support Visits, pre-contract verification, pre-start-up verification, Integrated Acceptance Testing and operational Rig Verification, as assigned. Provide objective evidence to support readiness and start-up decisions.Challenge readiness and testingAssess and constructively challenge contractor readiness, access, equipment availability, supporting evidence and test programme maturity before and during verification. Escalate material constraints or concerns that could prevent effective verification.Review technical evidenceReview relevant engineering, maintenance, certification, risk assessment, HAZOP, safety-critical equipment and well-control documentation. Confirm that evidence is current, applicable, traceable and sufficient for the verification purpose.Develop findings and actionsWrite clear, concise and evidence-based findings that identify the requirement, observed condition, gap and effect on the selected barrier. Categorise findings in accordance with the approved Rig Verification methodology and develop proportionate corrective actions.Verify effective closureReview submitted closure evidence to confirm that actions address the identified gap, restore the required barrier effectiveness and demonstrate sustainable implementation. Do not recommend closure where objective evidence is incomplete or insufficient.Identify systemic issues and learningRecognise repeat, common or potentially systemic issues. Support fleet-wide application of learning across rigs, contractors and regions, and feed relevant learning into future scopes, checklists and assurance priorities.Integrate assurance intelligentlyConsider relevant assurance completed by others and use suitable evidence to avoid unnecessary duplication, while maintaining Rig Verification independence, technical challenge and evidence standards.Report and communicateMaintain clear, accurate and auditable verification records. Communicate progress, constraints, material concerns, findings and action status to relevant stakeholders. Contribute to daily alignment, close-out discussions and final reporting.Collaborate while maintaining independenceBuild constructive relationships with teams, drilling contractors and other stakeholders. Provide respectful technical challenge, remain objective and avoid allowing schedule or relationship pressures to weaken verification conclusions.Demonstrate leadershipRole model beliefs and expected behaviours, lead by example offshore and onshore, and actively support a learning culture within the verification team.Required experience and competenceValid BOSIET/FOET, MIST and offshore medical certification.More than 10 years of drilling experience, including experience relevant to Managed Pressure Drilling.Proven experience in a drilling supervisory role, such as Well Site Leader, Drilling Supervisor or Rig Superintendent, on platforms, drillships or semi-submersible rigs.Current supervisory-level subsea and surface well-control certification from an industry-accredited programme such as IADC or IWCF.Strong working knowledge of drilling equipment, well-control equipment, safety-critical systems and associated barrier requirements.Ability to interpret engineering drawings, maintenance and CMMS records, certification, testing records, risk assessments and technical documentation.Demonstrated ability to plan and execute verification, assurance, audit, inspection or acceptance-testing activities.Ability to write clear, defensible findings and corrective actions supported by objective evidence.Ability to constructively challenge experienced contractor and personnel while maintaining effective working relationships.Proven English proficiency for technical reading, report writing and verbal communication.Ability to work effectively in multicultural and multidisciplinary teams and to travel and work offshore.EducationA university degree in engineering or a related technical discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.Desirable experienceKnowledge of regulations, industry standards and company practices relevant to drilling and well operations.Experience in operational safety, process safety, barrier management and risk management.Experience with root-cause analysis, incident learning and identification of systemic or fleet-wide issues.Experience of rig intake, rig reactivation, major upgrades, commissioning, Integrated Acceptance Testing or start-up assurance.Experience reviewing HAZOPs and technical assurance evidence for drilling fluid, gas handling and well-control systems.Experience using digital assurance, action-tracking and document-management systems.Expected outputsRisk-based verification plans and Lines of EnquirySystem-specific test plans and sampling strategiesDaily plans, progress updates and constraint escalationClear, evidence-based findings and corrective actionsDocumented review of action-closure evidenceClose-out input and final verification reportingLearning and recommendations for future or fleet-wide applicationRole boundaries and decision principlesThe verifier provides independent assurance evidence and professional judgement; operational ownership remains with the accountable contractor organisations.Verification is risk-based and sampled. Absence of a finding does not constitute confirmation that every aspect of the rig or system is compliant.Conclusions must be based on objective, traceable evidence. Where evidence is unavailable, incomplete or conflicting, the limitation must be recorded and escalated.The verifier must not allow production, mobilisation or schedule pressure to compromise the quality of testing, evidence review or finding categorisation.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.