Senior Petroleum/Production Engineer (Nairobi, Kenya)

The Opportunity

This isn't just another office-based advisory role. We are looking for a technically sharp, high-impact Senior Petroleum/Production Engineer to join a global energy technology company on a two-year assignment. Based in Nairobi, you will be the lead technical voice supporting the South Lokichar Basin, one of East Africa’s most significant upstream projects as it moves toward a major milestone: first oil in late 2026.

This is a role for someone who wants to "own" the results. You’ll be the central link between drilling, facilities, and field operations, ensuring that the transition from a developing asset to a commercial producer is seamless, efficient, and technically sound.

What You’ll Be Doing

Driving Performance & Strategy

• Own the Results: You’ll be responsible for the daily production performance across all wells in the basin. This means monitoring, analyzing, and most importantly, acting on what the data tells you.

• Lead Artificial Lift: You’ll take the lead on selection, monitoring, and lifecycle planning for ESP, gas lift, and rod pump systems.

• Solve Problems: From flow assurance issues to production bottlenecks, you’ll be the first line of defence in troubleshooting and resolving well performance deviations.

Bridging the Gap

• Integrated Operations: You’ll work closely with facilities engineering to ensure that what’s happening underground aligns perfectly with our surface infrastructure.

• Lifecycle Management: You will coordinate well pulls, workovers, and the critical handovers from completions to production.

• Modern Monitoring: You'll support the rollout of SCADA and remote surveillance systems to keep a constant eye on the asset’s health.

Mentoring & Compliance

• Building a Legacy: A core part of this role is mentoring a talented team of junior Kenyan engineers, leading structured capacity-building initiatives to ensure the asset’s long-term success.

• Regulatory Liaison: You'll work with local bodies to keep the project in compliance and handle all necessary reporting.

Who You Are

We are looking for someone with "field credibility"—the kind of judgment that only comes from 15+ years of hands-on experience at an operating company.

The Essentials:

• Proven Expertise: You have a Bachelor’s in Petroleum Engineering and a deep track record in production optimization and artificial lift management.

• Technically Versatile: You’re comfortable navigating flow assurance, SCADA systems, and water injection strategies.

• A Natural Mentor: You genuinely enjoy coaching multi-disciplinary teams and helping others grow.

• Adaptable: While you’ll be based in Nairobi, you’re comfortable traveling to remote field environments like Turkana when the job requires it.

Bonus Points if:

• You’ve worked in East Africa or sub-Saharan Africa before.

• You’re familiar with the Kenyan regulatory landscape (EPRA, NOCK).

• You’ve been through a project ramp-up or pre-FID phase.

The Benefits & Logistics

• Location: Full-time in Nairobi (regular office hours) with periodic field travel to Turkana.

• Assignment: 2-year contract.

• The Package: We provide a comprehensive monthly rate that covers your salary, housing, and transport.

• Travel & Health: Annual return flights to your home country, international medical insurance, and full coverage of work permit/visa costs.

• Living: You’ll have a housing allowance or company accommodation in expat-standard areas of Nairobi like Westlands or Karen.

If you are a seasoned engineer ready to take ownership of a landmark project and help shape the future of the energy industry in Kenya, we want to hear from you.