Senior Wells Engineer

Start Date: May 2026 
Location: Aberdeen
 
Overview
We are supporting a major international energy operator with the appointment of a Senior Wells Engineer – Decommissioning to strengthen its growing decommissioning portfolio in the UK North Sea and beyond.
This is a key technical role within a high-performing Wells Decommissioning team, supporting the safe, compliant, and cost-effective late-life and decommissioning delivery of operated and non-operated assets. The role offers exposure to complex global decommissioning operations and the opportunity to influence strategy, execution excellence, and sustainability outcomes.

Role Purpose
As Senior Wells Engineer – Decommissioning, you will provide deep technical expertise across decommissioning planning and execution. You will support regional and joint venture teams, assure technical quality, and contribute to key decisions around decommissioning strategy, operator selection, and execution readiness  helping to protect operational performance, regulatory compliance, and corporate reputation.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical support and assurance to regional teams on well decommissioning plans, abandonment design, methodologies, and regulatory compliance
• Apply strong North Sea decommissioning experience to support projects and regions, particularly during planning and execution phases
• Contribute technical input to the selection of third-party decommissioning operators, including scope definition, evaluation criteria, and interface alignment
• Support preparation and approval of Wells Financial Memos (FMs) and Authorisations for Expenditure (AFEs), ensuring alignment with budget, governance, and regulatory requirements
• Deliver a structured onboarding process for third-party decommissioning operators, ensuring operational, commercial, and HSE risks are identified and mitigated prior to operatorship handover
• Provide technical guidance during execution to ensure well decommissioning is delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with strategy and internal assurance expectations
• Support knowledge sharing across the wells and decommissioning community, contributing to best practice development and continuous improvement
• Maintain awareness of emerging decommissioning technologies, supplier capabilities, and industry trends
• Work closely with technology and engineering teams to identify solutions that enhance safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness
• Provide input to late-life planning and area development activities to ensure proactive and well-integrated decommissioning readiness
• Where appropriate, support engagement with joint venture partners to influence decommissioning estimates, planning assumptions, and execution strategies

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent professional qualification
• Extensive experience (10 years) in well engineering, with a strong focus on plug and abandonment and well decommissioning
• Demonstrated experience supporting or leading decommissioning projects in the UK North Sea
• Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and industry best practices for well abandonment
• Experience with cost estimation, economic evaluation, and project governance
• Proven ability to operate at senior level, providing technical authority and stakeholder assurance

Core Skills & Behaviours

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively across disciplines and regions
• High level of organisation with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and shifting priorities
• Proactive mindset with a willingness to learn, adapt, and embrace new decommissioning concepts and technologies

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.