Mechanical Lead - Drilling Technical Support

Mechanical Lead — Drilling Technical Support

The Mechanical Lead is a senior member of the HQ Maintenance Technical Support team at Dixstone, providing centralised mechanical engineering expertise to the operational fleet. This role partners directly with rig-based maintenance teams, drilling supervisors, and equipment vendors to ensure reliable performance of drilling, hoisting, circulation, and well‑control systems across the fleet.

Dixstone operates a fleet of jackups, platform and land drilling rigs across West and Central Africa. The Mechanical Lead drives equipment reliability, standardises maintenance practices fleet‑wide, and supports continuous improvement initiatives – from major equipment overhauls and rig moves to root‑cause investigations and CMMS optimisation. This position offers the opportunity to shape the technical backbone of the fleet and influence long‑term asset integrity strategy.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programmes for drilling, hoisting, circulation, and BOP equipment across the fleet
• Lead failure investigations and root‑cause analyses; drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence and improve reliability
• Provide remote and on‑site technical support to rig maintenance teams; deploy to site for critical issues, commissioning, and major repairs
• Maintain hydraulic power units, circuits, and control systems; monitor fluid condition and system performance fleet‑wide
• Support rig moves and commissioning activities; verify mechanical systems readiness for drilling operations
• Manage critical spare parts strategy in coordination with supply chain; ensure availability and optimise stock levels
• Review and approve work scopes, technical proposals, and deliverables for third‑party mechanical service contractors
• Maintain mechanical drawings, OEM documentation, and Dixstone procedures; update standards based on lessons learned
• Generate mechanical KPIs and reliability reports; identify trends and recommend fleet‑wide improvements

Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification
• 15+ years of experience in mechanical maintenance within drilling operations, including time in rig‑based supervisory roles (Chief Mechanic/Mechanical Supervisor/Hydraulic Tech and Maintenance Supervisor)
• Hands‑on experience across major drilling OEMs (NOV, Aker MH, Varco, Canrig, Bentec, Wärtsilä, Caterpillar, or equivalent)
• Strong hydraulic systems expertise — BOP control units, top drives, BOP HPUs, riser tensioners
• Knowledge of API standards, reliability‑centred maintenance principles, and HSE frameworks in drilling operations
• Proficiency in CMMS platforms (Maximo, MM Fusion, AMOS, SAP, or equivalent)
• Offshore medical and survival certifications as required
• Fluent English communication skills; French is a strong advantage given fleet operating regions