Lead Driller

MAK Drilling; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

Job summary

MAK Drilling is seeking a highly experienced Lead Driller to run our rigs in the field and lead a crew of developing drillers and helpers. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone with 10+ years behind the controls who can drill difficult holes, keep a rig running, and set the standard for safety and productivity on every site.

Because our projects span the country, this role involves heavy, extended travel — you should expect to be on the road and away from home for stretches at a time,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands‑on drilling experience; geotechnical drilling preferred.
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) in good standing; ability to haul equipment.
• Availability to travel extensively and stay away from home for extended periods.

Responsibilities

• Operate drill rigs to complete soil borings, rock coring, and subsurface investigations.
• Lead and develop a crew of entry‑level drillers and helpers, upholding safety and quality standards.
• Mobilize to job sites nationwide; frequent, extended travel.
• Maintain equipment through routine maintenance and repairs to minimize downtime.
• Perform welding and fabrication for rig maintenance and field repairs.
• Own site safety as on‑site leader; conduct daily safety briefings and maintain a clean workspace.
• Maintain field logs and reports; communicate site conditions to the Drilling Operations Manager.
• Haul and transport rigs and equipment under a Class A CDL.

Skills

Drilling experience

CDL Class A

Travel readiness

Mechanical aptitude

Welding

Rig types

Leadership

Safety mindset

Job description

We are looking for a highly experienced Lead Driller to run our rigs in the field and lead a crew of developing drillers and helpers. This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone with 10+ years behind the controls who can drill difficult holes, keep a rig running, and set the standard for safety and productivity on every site.

Because our projects span the country, this role involves heavy, extended travel — you should expect to be on the road and away from home for stretches at a time, wherever the work is.

What you’ll do:

• Operate drill rigs to complete soil borings, rock coring, instrumentation installations, and subsurface investigations to project spec and depth.
• Lead and develop a crew of entry‑level drillers and helpers — training, mentoring, and holding them to MAK’s safety and quality standards.
• Mobilize and travel to job sites wherever our projects take us. This role requires frequent, extended travel across the country, often for weeks at a time on a rotational basis.
• Keep equipment running through routine maintenance, field repairs, and troubleshooting to minimize downtime and keep the crew productive.
• Perform welding and fabrication as needed for rig maintenance, tooling, and field repairs.
• Own site safety as the on‑site leader — enforce safety protocols, run daily safety briefings, and maintain a clean, compliant work area.
• Maintain accurate field logs, boring records, and daily reports, and communicate site conditions and progress to the Drilling Operations Manager.
• Haul and transport rigs and support equipment safely and legally under a Class A CDL.

What you bring:

• 10+ years of hands‑on drilling experience — geotechnical drilling experience strongly preferred.
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) in good standing, with a clean driving record and willingness to haul equipment.
• Availability and willingness to travel extensively and work away from home for extended periods on a rotational schedule.
• Strong mechanical aptitude — you can service, troubleshoot, and repair a rig in the field.
• Welding skills for equipment repair and fabrication.
• Proven proficiency across multiple rig types and drilling methods (auger, mud rotary, rock coring, etc.).
• Leadership experience — the ability to run a crew, train less‑experienced hands, and keep a job moving.
• Strong safety mindset, dependable, and comfortable working long days in variable weather and remote conditions.

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience. Per diem is provided for travel. This is a full‑time position with a company that keeps its crews busy year‑round.

MAK Drilling is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.