Geothermal Drilling Engineer

RESPEC Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Schedules

401(k) & ESOP

Professional Development and Training

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

Job summary

RESPEC is seeking an experienced Geothermal Drilling Engineer to join our growing team in Houston. You will plan and execute diverse drilling projects, from exploratory wells to solution-mining and disposal wells, in collaboration with RESPEC engineers and client personnel.

The role emphasizes project management, cost estimation (AFE), and hands-on well design and drilling program development, with travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of science degree in petroleum, geological, or mining engineering.
• Minimum of 15 years of drilling engineering experience including casing design, drilling fluids, testing, and well design is required.
• Strong technical background in well design and drilling program development and execution.
• Prior experience in AFE preparation, cost tracking, financial accountability, and procurement services.
• Strong client relationships and the ability to support business development efforts.
• Minimum of 5 years of geothermal drilling program design experience, including casing design, drilling fluids, testing, and geothermal well design would be preferred.
• Familiarity with well delivery processes.
• Professional license or the ability to achieve professional license.
• Must possess a driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record.
• EGS drilling experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete life cycle of projects—from proposal development through successful project execution—while staying on schedule and within budget.
• Project management and oversight and ensures projects are executed and completed within agreed-upon schedules and budgets.
• Prepare and manage Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) documents, ensuring accurate cost estimation and budget approval.
• Accurately develop drilling cost and schedule estimates while coordinating with service providers.
• Drilling engineering consulting, specifically related to exploratory drilling, solution-mining and disposal wells.
• Detailed well design and planning.
• Drilling program development including casing design, tubular design, mud systems, cementing programs, testing programs, etc.
• Operations supervision.
• Safety and compliance monitoring.
• Must be willing to travel 10% of the time.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical communication

Fluent English

Prioritize work independently

Education

B.S. in petroleum/geological/mining engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

RESPEC is seeking an experienced Geothermal Drilling Engineer to join our growing team. This position requires demonstrated working knowledge of engineering principles and business practices to successfully plan and execute a diverse range of engineering projects. The primary focus of this position will be working on diverse drilling projects ranging from exploratory drilling to complex solution-mining, geothermal wells and disposal wells. Typical projects include working with RESPEC engineers and client personnel to develop well designs and drilling programs for energy and mineral extraction purposes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Complete life cycle of projects—from proposal development through successful project execution—while staying on schedule and within budget
• Project management and oversight and ensures projects are executed and completed within agreed-upon schedules and budgets
• Prepare and manage Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) documents, ensuring accurate cost estimation and budget approval
  • Accurately develop drilling cost and schedule estimates while coordinating with service providers
• Drilling engineering consulting, specifically related to exploratory drilling, solution-mining and disposal wells
  • Detailed well design and planning.
  • Drilling program development including casing design, tubular design, mud systems, cementing programs, testing programs, etc.
  • Operations supervision.
  • Safety and compliance monitoring.
• Must be willing to travel 10% of the time

Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Bachelor of science degree in petroleum, geological, or mining engineering
• Minimum of 15 years of drilling engineering experience including casing design, drilling fluids, testing, and well design is required.
• Strong technical background in well design and drilling program development and execution
• Prior experience in AFE preparation, cost tracking, financial accountability, and procurement services
• Strong client relationships and the ability to support business development efforts
• Minimum of 5 years of geothermal drilling program design experience, including casing design, drilling fluids, testing, and geothermal well design would be preferred.
• Familiarity with well delivery processes
• Experience with
  • Risk Assessment and Management
  • Completions engineering and design would be an asset
  • schedule generation
  • cost and schedule tracking
  • sub-contractor management
  • client interfacing and relationship building
• Professional license or the ability to achieve professional license
• Must possess a driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record
• EGS drilling experience preferred.

Skills/Abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Technical communication skills (both written and oral)
• Must be fluent in English
• Demonstrated ability to apply engineering principles to real-world applications
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
• Ability to prioritize work demands to meet deadlines while exercising judgment and working independently

Physical Demands

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Requires sitting for extended periods of at a workstation or desk
• Special hazards include exposure to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and explosive hazards
• Use of proper personnel protective equipment based on the job task, including hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toed boots, gloves, safety harness, face mask, hearing protection, etc.
• Capable of frequent standing, walking, climbing kneeling, lifting, and repetitive use of hands while on site

Additional Information

Compensation: Salary depends on experience and expertise. Compensation includes a comprehensive fringe-benefits package. RESPEC is a 100% employee-owned company and employees are eligible for participation in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) after a qualifying period.

Featured benefits include:

• Flexible Work Schedules
• 401(k) & ESOP(with company match up to 4%)
• Professional Development and Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Company Info

Big challenges need bold thinkers.

If you’re someone who sees problems as opportunities, you’ll thrive here.RESPEC is 100% employee-owned, which means we take ownership of every challenge. Here, your ideas drive real solutions. Since 1969, we’ve tackled complex challenges in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability.

At RESPEC, you’ll work alongside clients to take on critical problems. Depending on your expertise, you might design infrastructure in remote locations, develop renewable energy solutions for global projects, or apply data-driven technology to improve mining and water systems.

We bring deep technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a commitment to work that matters. If you're looking for a place where your contributions have real impact, you’ll fit right in.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.