Superintendent of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)

Private Advertiser; Metro Manila; On-site; PHP 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser in the Philippines is seeking an HDD Superintendent to lead and oversee all HDD operations onsite, ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with drawings, specifications and regulations.

You will coordinate with project teams, manage crews, monitor drilling progress, and ensure equipment and materials are properly planned and used to meet project objectives. Strong leadership and a solid background in HDD drilling are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or technical qualification.
• A degree/diploma in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and manage day-to-day HDD operations including pilot drilling, reaming, pullback and related activities.
• Lead drilling crews and coordinate with project management, engineering, survey, subcontractors and site personnel.
• Promote safety culture and ensure compliance with HSE policies and regulations.
• Coordinate mobilization, setup, operation and demobilization of HDD rigs and support equipment.
• Maintain daily production and reporting; update project management on progress and constraints.
• Verify HDD installation meets specifications and ensure documentation is accurate.

Skills

HDD supervision

Crew management

Safety compliance

Reading drawings and specs

Drilling operations

Licensing/driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (advantage)

Job description

Job Summary

TheHorizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Superintendentis responsible for the overall supervision, coordination, and execution of HDD operations at the project site. The position ensures that drilling activities are carried out safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved drawings, project specifications, method statements, schedules, and applicable regulations.

The HDD Superintendent provides leadership to drilling crews, coordinates with project management, engineering, survey, subcontractors, and other site personnel, and ensures that equipment, materials, manpower, and resources are properly planned and utilized to achieve project objectives.

Key Responsibilities

1. HDD Operations Management

• Supervise and manage day-to-day HDD operations, including pilot drilling, reaming, pullback, and associated activities.

• Ensure HDD works are executed according to approved plans, drawings, specifications, and method statements.

• Review drilling profiles, bore paths, entry and exit points, and proposed drilling methods.

• Monitor drilling progress and make operational adjustments when required.

• Coordinate drilling fluid management, including mixing, circulation, recovery, and disposal.

• Monitor ground conditions and identify potential drilling risks such as inadvertent returns, borehole instability, excessive torque, or drilling fluid loss.

• Ensure proper installation and handling of HDPE, steel, or other product pipes during pullback.

• Coordinate tie-ins, connections, testing, and completion activities related to HDD works.

2. Site Supervision & Crew Management

• Lead and supervise HDD operators, drill crews, laborers, welders, fusion technicians, and other field personnel.

• Assign daily tasks and ensure adequate manpower is available for planned activities.

• Conduct daily toolbox meetings and communicate work plans, hazards, and operational requirements.

• Monitor employee performance, productivity, attendance, and compliance with site procedures.

• Provide coaching and technical guidance to HDD personnel.

• Coordinate with other site teams to prevent work conflicts and maintain efficient workflow.

3. Safety & Environmental Compliance

• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture across all HDD operations.

• Ensure compliance with company HSE policies, project requirements, and applicable local regulations.

• Conduct and participate in toolbox talks, JSA/JHA reviews, risk assessments, and site safety inspections.

• Ensure proper use of PPE and safe operation of drilling equipment.

• Monitor work areas for underground utilities, traffic hazards, lifting hazards, confined spaces, and other site risks.

• Ensure proper procedures are followed for drilling fluid spills, inadvertent returns, and environmental incidents.

• Immediately report accidents, near misses, equipment damage, and environmental incidents.

• Stop unsafe work when necessary and implement corrective actions.

4. Equipment & Resource Management

• Coordinate the mobilization, setup, operation, and demobilization of HDD rigs and support equipment.

• Ensure drilling equipment, pumps, mud systems, generators, vacuum units, tracking systems, and support machinery are properly maintained and operational.

• Coordinate preventive maintenance and repair activities with mechanics and equipment personnel.

• Monitor equipment utilization and minimize unnecessary downtime.

• Ensure required drilling tools, consumables, drilling fluids, and spare parts are available at site.

5. Project Coordination

• Coordinate closely with the Project Manager, Construction Manager, Site Engineer, Surveyor, QA/QC personnel, HSE team, client representatives, and subcontractors.

• Attend project coordination and progress meetings as required.

• Provide daily updates regarding production, manpower, equipment, drilling conditions, and site constraints.

• Coordinate HDD activities with utility owners, civil works, traffic management, and other construction activities.

• Assist in resolving technical and operational issues that may affect project progress.

6. Quality Control

• Ensure HDD installation meets approved project specifications and quality requirements.

• Verify drilling alignment, depth, bore profile, product pipe installation, and pullback procedures.

• Ensure drilling records and installation documentation are accurately maintained.

• Coordinate required inspections, testing, and verification activities.

• Identify non-conforming work and implement appropriate corrective measures.

• Ensure final HDD installation documentation is completed and submitted.

7. Planning & Reporting

• Develop and implement daily and weekly HDD work plans.

• Monitor production against project schedule and planned quantities.

• Identify potential delays, constraints, and resource requirements.

• Maintain accurate daily drilling reports, including:

• Bore footage/meters completed

• Drilling hours

• Reaming and pullback progress

• Drilling fluid consumption

• Equipment utilization

• Manpower

• Ground conditions

• Downtime

• Incidents and corrective actions

• Provide regular progress reports to project management.

Job Qualifications

• High school diploma, technical qualification, or relevant vocational certification.

• Degree or diploma in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field is an advantage.

• Minimum5–10 years of experience in HDD operations, with significant experience in a supervisory or superintendent role.

• Proven experience managing HDD crews and major drilling operations.

• Strong knowledge of HDD drilling, reaming, pullback, drilling fluids, tracking systems, and bore planning.

• Experience with HDPE and/or steel pipe installation through HDD.

• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, HDD profiles, specifications, and method statements.

• Valid driver's license.

• Relevant HDD, safety, or construction certifications are an advantage.