Head of Geothermal Drilling Operations

Stanford Climate Ventures; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Fervo is seeking a Drilling Operations Lead to direct a team of DSMs and field personnel across active rigs, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective well delivery. You will partner with Drilling Engineers to align on execution plans, manage priorities, and drive continuous improvement in well cycle time and performance.

The role demands strong field experience in US onshore horizontal drilling, leadership across multi-rig operations, and a commitment to health, safety, and environment in

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or equivalent field experience).
• 10+ years of drilling engineering/operations experience with field leadership.
• Experience leading or supervising Drilling Operations.
• Competency in well engineering fundamentals: casing design, directional drilling, drill string/BHA design, fluids, cementing, contingency planning.
• Experience in risk assessment, time/cost estimates, and planning complex drilling operations.
• Experience with horizontal drilling in unconventional wells.
• Experience with supply chain and cost management.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem solving and commitment to operational excellence.
• Unwavering commitment to Health, Safety, and Environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Drill-Site Managers and Field Superintendents across active drilling operations, setting priorities and providing day-to-day direction.
• Support real-time execution decisions on active rigs, coordinating recovery plans and reviews during NPT events.
• Establish and enforce HSE standards and practices across all rig sites, ensuring compliance with requirements.
• Develop, mentor, and grow team members’ technical and leadership capabilities.
• Drive continuous improvement in well cycle time, cost, and performance.
• Coordinate with drilling contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure resources and equipment support planned operations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues and align with planning, supply chain, and engineering.
• Lead post-well closeout reviews and capture lessons learned.
• Represent drilling operations in leadership reviews and communicate status, risks, and resourcing needs.

Skills

Drilling operations

Team leadership

Communication

Risk assessment

Cost management

Directional drilling

BHA design

Casing design

Problem solving

HSE commitment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or equivalent)

Job description

Fervo is seeking a Drilling Operations Lead to direct a team of DSMs and field personnel across active rigs, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective well delivery. You will partner with Drilling Engineers to align on execution plans, manage priorities, and drive continuous improvement in well cycle time and performance.

The role demands strong field experience in US onshore horizontal drilling, leadership across multi-rig operations, and a commitment to health, safety, and environment in