Petrobras to Launch Nationwide Public Contest with 1,100 Vacancies Following Voluntary Severance Program

Petrobras has set the stage for a major hiring effort, announcing the preparation of a new nationwide public contest expected to offer approximately 1,100 vacancies for candidates across medium, technical, and higher education levels. The move comes in response to an approved Voluntary Severance Program (PDV) targeting up to 1,100 employees who retired prior to Brazil’s 2019 pension reform, with layoffs planned throughout 2026.

The company expects to publish the contest’s official notice between December 2025 and January 2026. The recruitment process will be managed by the Fundação Cesgranrio, which holds an existing contract with Petrobras valid through 2028, ensuring a streamlined organization of the selection without additional bidding procedures.

The PDV—approved by Petrobras’ Board of Directors in early November 2025—is designed to strategically renew the company’s workforce, allowing a gradual exit for long-tenured, retired employees while providing the company an opportunity to onboard fresh talent. Indemnities for voluntary departures are projected to range from R$300,000 to R$1 million, depending on individual seniority and salary levels. The enrollment window for the PDV spans from January 5 to February 6, 2026, with separation dates staggered between March and December of the same year.

With these structural adjustments, Petrobras is aligning its human resources strategy to maintain operational continuity and embrace workforce modernization amid ongoing industry challenges and a transition towards diversified energy sources. The company remains independent in its decision to hold public contests, not requiring federal government authorization—accelerating its ability to respond to internal staffing needs.

The upcoming contest will provide a wide range of job opportunities, reflecting the varied technical, administrative, and operational roles within the company. For candidates with medium and technical education levels, openings will likely cover areas such as equipment inspection, logistics, maintenance, platform operation, project execution, construction, assembly, occupational health and safety, and supply chain services. Technical nursing positions focused on occupational health are also anticipated.

For those with higher education qualifications, vacancies should encompass key strategic and engineering disciplines, including administration, economics, systems analysis, data science, geology, geophysics, and multiple branches of engineering. This diverse portfolio underscores Petrobras’ intent to reinforce its core activities spanning industrial innovation, technological advancement, and administrative excellence.

Remuneration packages will vary according to role and education level. Salaries for medium and technical positions are expected to start between R$3,446.23 and R$5,878.82, while roles requiring higher education may reach monthly salaries up to R$11,000. Additionally, Petrobras offers a competitive benefits package featuring profit-sharing, comprehensive healthcare, complementary pension plans, and meal allowances.

The planned vacancies will be distributed among Petrobras’ numerous units across various Brazilian states, enhancing nationwide accessibility to the selection process. This geographical spread aims to democratize participation and ensure an equitable competition among candidates from different regions. The contest will be conducted in numerous cities, allowing broad regional engagement.

The strategic decision to replace approximately 1,100 staff through the PDV and subsequent hiring highlights Petrobras’ focus on legacy knowledge transfer and rejuvenation of its workforce. With roughly 41,700 employees currently, the company emphasizes programs fostering expertise continuity alongside investments in energy transition and sustainability initiatives.

Analysts view the PDV as a precursor to the recruitment drive, similar to patterns seen in other major Brazilian state-owned firms. The recent PDV and recruitment cycle at Caixa Econômica Federal, which preceded a 4,000-vacancy contest earlier this year, serve as a precedent for Petrobras’ approach.

In summary, Petrobras is poised to launch one of its most significant public competitions in recent years, aligning human capital renewal with its broader operational and strategic goals. Candidates interested in the competition are advised to begin preparatory activities given the proximity of the planned announcement and the strong competition historically associated with Petrobras contests.

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