Senior Drilling Engineer/Drilling Manager

CSI Recruiting is working with a growing, privately-held E&P firm based in Denver, assisting in their search for an experienced Senior Drilling Engineer. The Senior Drilling Engineer will lead the planning, design, and execution support of drilling programs in an busy and results-driven environment. The Senior Drilling Engineer role is suited for an engineer with strong horizontal drilling expertise, proven field execution instincts, and a track record of improving drilling performance in technically challenging settings. This senior individual contributor role is responsible for delivering safe, high-performance wells on schedule and on budget, while systematically improving well cycle time, cost, and reliability across the portfolio. You will own well engineering deliverables end-to-end and help elevate technical standards across the drilling organization. RESPONSIBILITIES: Well Planning & Engineering Ownership Develop execution-ready drilling programs and procedures that translate engineering design into clear, field-ready operational guidance. Build detailed time and cost models, support AFE development, and ensure engineering assumptions are technically sound and economically optimized. Identify and proactively mitigate subsurface and operational risks through formal risk assessments, stress modeling, and scenario planning. Operations Execution & Performance Optimization Serve as the accountable engineering lead during drilling operations, providing real-time technical guidance and ensuring alignment between design intent and field execution. Diagnose and resolve drilling dysfunctions (e.g., vibration, wellbore instability, losses, stuck pipe) using structured root cause analysis and data-driven decision making. Uphold rigorous HSE standards in all design and operational decisions, reinforcing a culture of safety and execution discipline. Cost, Schedule & Performance Optimization Own plan vs. actual tracking for well cost and schedule performance, identifying variance drivers and implementing corrective actions. Develop and monitor performance KPIs (ROP, NPT, flat time, connection efficiency, cost per foot) to systematically improve well cycle time and capital efficiency Lead structured post-well reviews and ensure lessons learned are embedded into subsequent well designs and operational practices. Evaluate contractor and service provider performance using quantitative metrics and support data-driven improvements in execution. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related engineering discipline 10+ years of drilling engineering experience, including at least 7 years working as a Drilling Engineer with an operator in US onshore horizontal drilling environments. Demonstrated ownership of full well lifecycle engineering; from planning and AFE development through execution support and post-well analysis. Strong competency in core well engineering fundamentals, including casing design, torque & drag modeling, hydraulics, drill string/BHA design, directional drilling, cementing, and contingency planning. Proven experience improving drilling performance metrics (e.g., cycle time, NPT reduction, cost per foot) through structured analysis and execution discipline. Experience building time and cost estimates and managing plan vs. actual tracking during operations. Proficiency in industry-standard well engineering software and modeling tools. Strong problem-solving capability with the ability to make sound technical decisions in dynamic field environments. Demonstrated commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental excellence.