Mechanical Lead — Drilling Technical Support
About the job
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, standardizes maintenance practices fleet-wide, and supports continuous improvement initiatives — from major equipment overhauls and rig moves to root-cause investigations and CMMS optimization. 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 programs 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 optimize 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
