Assistant Drillers

Igne; Chester-le-Street; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Igne Group Limited in County Durham is seeking an Assistant Driller to join the Site Investigation team. You'll support the Lead Driller in a two-person crew, assist with sampling and installations, and help with in-situ testing and site setup on UK projects.

This role suits either someone new to drilling or with experience, offering training, health and safety emphasis, and a clear path to progression within a respected ground engineering business.

Qualifications

• Full UK driving licence required.
• Reliable, flexible and able to work away from home.
• Comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions.
• Willingness to travel across the UK.
• Basic understanding of site investigation or construction environments.

Responsibilities

• Work within a two-person drilling crew supporting the Lead Driller.
• Assist with sampling and installations, in-situ testing, labelling and handling samples & site setup and general site operations.
• Follow and promote strong health & safety practices.
• Help maintain drilling equipment and site security.
• Work on varied and sometimes challenging sites across the UK.

Skills

Full UK driving licence

Willingness to travel across the UK

Outdoor work in varied conditions

Job description

Igne are seeking Assistant Drillers to join our growing Site Investigation team in County Durham. Whether you're new to the industry or already have experience as a Driller’s Assistant, this is a fantastic opportunity to build a long‑term career within a respected and well‑established ground engineering business. Operating across the UK, you’ll work on a wide range of geotechnical and site investigation projects, supporting Lead Drillers in delivering high‑quality drilling and sampling services. If you're ready to be part of an innovative, fast‑paced environment where your contributions truly make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Work within a two-person drilling crew supporting the Lead Driller
• Assist with sampling and installations, In‑situ testing, labelling and handling samples & site setup and general site operations
• Follow and promote strong health & safety practices
• Help maintain drilling equipment and site security
• Work on varied and sometimes challenging sites across the UK

What We’re Looking For

• Full UK driving licence
• Reliable, flexible, and able to work away from home
• Comfortable working outdoors in varied conditions
• Willingness to travel across the UK
• Basic understanding of site investigation or construction environments

Salary and Benefits

• Up to £30,500 per annum
• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Company pension, life insurance (3x salary) & sick pay
• Health cash plan & medical cashback
• Annual leave buy & sell scheme
• Ongoing training & development
• Cycle to Work, Green Vehicle & Home/Tech schemes
• High street discounts & long service awards

We are Igne Group Limited, a synergetic amalgamation of six companies, renowned within our respective fields, with over 350 years of combined experience—a one‑stop shop for pre‑and post‑construction services. Igne’s six service categories are ground investigation, testing, unexploded ordnance (UXO), specialist drilling, geothermal, and geo‑environmental. We are a Disability Confident Employer, and signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recruit talented individuals who care about making a positive difference. We want colleagues to bring their whole selves to work, so equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our culture and integral to our success. We also want all colleagues to thrive, which is why we have trained and dedicated mental health first aiders across the organisation who are available to support employees whenever needed. We believe in developing our talent, which is why at Igne you will have many opportunities for training and progression within your role.

Igne is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

As part of our commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, all successful candidates will be required to undertake a drug and alcohol screening process before employment commences. Employees are also subject to random and for‑cause drug and alcohol testing during employment in accordance with our Drug and Alcohol Policy.