Operations & Maintenance Jobs in Basra & Erbil Iraq 2026 | Oil and Gas Drilling, Production & Maintenance Careers
The global oil and gas industry continues to create high-value career opportunities for experienced professionals in operations, maintenance, drilling, and production management. One of the fastest-growing regions for energy sector employment is Iraq, particularly in the major oil hubs of Basra and Erbil, where several large upstream and midstream projects are currently expanding.
Major international oil companies and engineering contractors are actively seeking skilled candidates for Operations and Maintenance (O&M) roles across production facilities, drilling operations, well services, and plant maintenance departments.
These positions offer competitive salaries, international work exposure, rotational schedules, and opportunities to work on large-scale petroleum infrastructure projects in one of the world’s most resource-rich regions.
This recruitment drive is ideal for experienced engineers, supervisors, technicians, and plant operators with strong backgrounds in oilfield operations, drilling engineering, instrumentation, mechanical maintenance, and process operations.
Location
Basra & Erbil, Iraq
These locations are key strategic energy centers:
Basra – The heart of Iraq’s oil production with multiple giant fields and export terminals.
Erbil – A major operational base for upstream exploration, drilling, and production activities.
Professionals working in these regions gain exposure to large-scale petroleum production systems, advanced drilling technologies, and complex energy infrastructure.
1. Production Supervisor
The Production Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily hydrocarbon production activities and ensuring that plant operations run safely, efficiently, and in compliance with company policies.
Key Responsibilities
- Supervise production teams working in oil processing facilities and field operations.
- Monitor production levels and optimize plant performance.
- Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations.
- Coordinate with maintenance teams to resolve equipment failures.
- Implement operational procedures and production strategies.
- Analyze operational data to improve productivity.
- Report production metrics to management and engineering teams.
Required Skills
- Strong knowledge of oil and gas production systems
- Experience with process optimization and production monitoring
- Leadership and team management skills
2. Control Room Operator
Control Room Operators manage and monitor plant operations through distributed control systems (DCS) to maintain safe and stable production.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate SCADA and DCS systems to control plant processes.
- Monitor pressure, temperature, flow rates, and production parameters.
- Identify operational abnormalities and initiate corrective actions.
- Coordinate with field operators and supervisors.
- Maintain operational logs and incident reports.
Required Skills
- Experience with industrial control systems
- Strong understanding of process control and automation
- Quick decision-making skills
3. Production Operators
Production Operators are responsible for operating field equipment used in hydrocarbon extraction and processing.
Responsibilities
- Operate separators, pumps, compressors, and pipelines.
- Perform routine inspections of production equipment.
- Monitor flow rates and adjust production parameters.
- Assist maintenance teams during equipment shutdowns.
- Ensure safe operation of all field equipment.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of oilfield production processes
- Mechanical and operational troubleshooting skills
- Familiarity with safety procedures
4. Laboratory Technician
Laboratory Technicians conduct testing and analysis of crude oil, gas, and chemical samples to ensure product quality and regulatory compliance.
Responsibilities
- Perform chemical analysis on oil and gas samples.
- Monitor product specifications and quality standards.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and calibration.
- Document laboratory test results.
- Assist engineers with process improvement studies.
Required Skills
- Background in chemical engineering or petroleum laboratory operations
- Experience with laboratory instrumentation
5. Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance Supervisors ensure reliability and efficiency of plant equipment by coordinating maintenance activities.
Responsibilities
- Manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
- Supervise maintenance technicians and contractors.
- Ensure minimal downtime of critical equipment.
- Plan shutdown maintenance operations.
- Coordinate with operations teams.
Required Skills
- Strong knowledge of industrial maintenance systems
- Leadership and project management skills
6. Electrical and Instrument Supervisor
This role focuses on maintaining and supervising electrical systems and instrumentation within oil and gas facilities.
Responsibilities
- Supervise electrical and instrumentation teams.
- Maintain power distribution systems.
- Troubleshoot control systems and sensors.
- Ensure calibration of field instruments.
- Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards.
Required Skills
- Experience with PLC, DCS, and industrial automation
- Electrical engineering background
7. Engine Room Operators
Engine Room Operators manage power generation equipment used in oil production facilities.
Responsibilities
- Operate diesel generators and turbine systems.
- Monitor engine performance and fuel consumption.
- Conduct preventive maintenance checks.
- Troubleshoot mechanical issues.
8. Mechanic
Mechanics maintain mechanical systems including pumps, compressors, turbines, and rotating equipment.
Responsibilities
- Perform maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment.
- Diagnose equipment failures.
- Replace faulty components.
- Maintain equipment reliability.
9. Electrical and Instrument Technician
These technicians maintain electrical circuits, instrumentation systems, and automation controls.
Responsibilities
- Install and repair electrical systems.
- Calibrate instruments and sensors.
- Troubleshoot automation equipment.
- Assist engineers in system upgrades.
10. Electrician
Electricians handle installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of industrial electrical systems.
Responsibilities
- Maintain plant electrical infrastructure.
- Inspect wiring systems and panels.
- Repair electrical faults.
- Ensure safety compliance.
11. DCS Technician
DCS Technicians manage distributed control systems that monitor and control plant operations.
Responsibilities
- Configure and maintain DCS software.
- Troubleshoot control system faults.
- Maintain control network infrastructure.
- Support plant automation systems.
12. Maintenance Planner
Maintenance Planners organize and schedule maintenance activities to maximize equipment reliability.
Responsibilities
- Develop maintenance schedules.
- Coordinate spare parts availability.
- Plan preventive maintenance programs.
- Monitor maintenance performance.
13. Material Controller
Material Controllers manage inventory, procurement, and supply chain operations for plant materials and spare parts.
Responsibilities
- Track inventory levels.
- Manage procurement requests.
- Coordinate with suppliers.
- Maintain material records.
14. Cargo Supervisor
Cargo Supervisors oversee loading and unloading operations for oil and gas transportation.
Responsibilities
- Supervise cargo handling teams.
- Ensure compliance with export regulations.
- Monitor loading operations.
- Maintain safety standards.
15. Cargo Operator
Cargo Operators assist in handling oil shipments and tanker loading operations.
Responsibilities
- Operate cargo transfer systems.
- Monitor pipeline pressures.
- Coordinate with shipping teams.
16. Pump man
Pump men manage pumps used in fluid transfer systems.
Responsibilities
- Operate cargo pumps and pipeline systems.
- Monitor pump performance.
- Conduct maintenance checks.
17. Lead GP (General Production)
Lead GP oversees general production teams and coordinates field operations.
Responsibilities
- Manage production crews.
- Ensure operational efficiency.
- Maintain safety compliance.
18. Crane Operator
Crane Operators manage lifting equipment used for heavy materials and machinery.
Responsibilities
- Operate cranes safely.
- Lift heavy equipment and materials.
- Follow safety lifting procedures.
19. Drilling Engineers
Drilling Engineers design and oversee drilling programs for oil wells.
Responsibilities
- Plan drilling operations.
- Optimize drilling performance.
- Ensure safety compliance.
20. Rig Engineer
Rig Engineers manage drilling rig operations and maintenance.
Responsibilities
- Ensure drilling equipment reliability.
- Supervise rig technical teams.
21. Well Testing Engineers
Well Testing Engineers evaluate well performance and reservoir productivity.
Responsibilities
- Conduct pressure and flow tests.
- Analyze well performance data.
22. Senior Well Testing Engineers
Senior specialists responsible for complex testing programs and analysis.
23. Drilling Manager
Drilling Managers oversee drilling operations across multiple rigs.
Responsibilities
- Develop drilling strategies.
- Manage drilling teams.
- Control operational budgets.
24. Coiled Tubing Engineers
Coiled tubing specialists manage well intervention operations.
Responsibilities
- Conduct well maintenance operations.
- Operate coiled tubing equipment.
25. Senior Coiled Tubing Engineers
Lead advanced well intervention projects.
26. Senior Reservoir Engineer
Reservoir Engineers analyze subsurface reservoirs to maximize production.
Responsibilities
- Develop reservoir models.
- Optimize recovery strategies.
27. Reservoir Engineer
Responsible for reservoir analysis and field development planning.
28. Senior Wireline Engineer
Wireline Engineers conduct downhole logging and intervention operations.
Responsibilities
- Perform well logging operations.
- Analyze subsurface data.
Why Work in Iraq’s Oil and Gas Sector
Working in Iraq provides professionals with opportunities to:
- Work on large-scale petroleum projects
- Gain international oilfield experience
- Earn high salary packages
- Develop advanced petroleum engineering skills
- Work with global oil companies
The country holds some of the world’s largest oil reserves, making it a major hub for energy investment and oilfield career growth.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their updated CV to the email below:
Email:
omar.ahmed@dtagency.net
Ensure your CV includes:
- Updated professional experience
- Relevant certifications
- Oil & gas project experience
- Contact details
Final Thoughts
The Operations and Maintenance vacancies in Basra and Erbil represent excellent career opportunities for professionals in the oil and gas industry. With positions ranging from technicians and operators to engineers and managers, these roles offer the chance to contribute to large-scale energy projects while advancing your career in the global petroleum sector.
If you have experience in drilling, production operations, maintenance engineering, instrumentation, or reservoir management, this recruitment drive could be your gateway to a rewarding international career.
Apply today and take the next step in your oil and gas career journey.