Lead Geothermal Drilling Engineer — Design, Ops & Cost

Fervo Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Fervo Energy is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer to design and execute advanced geothermal drilling in a dynamic environment. The role focuses on well planning, design, and operations support with an emphasis on safety and cost efficiency.

The candidate should have a deep drilling background, hands-on field experience, and the ability to adapt traditional oil/gas playbooks for geothermal applications. Collaboration with partners and suppliers is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• 10+ years drilling engineering/operations experience (US Onshore horizontal preferred).
• Competency in casing design, directional drilling, drill string/BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning.
• Proficient with standard well engineering design software.
• Experience in risk assessment and well time/cost estimates.
• Strong planning of complex drilling operations.
• Experience with horizontal drilling in unconventional wells.
• Experience with supply chain and cost management.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Hands-on field experience in drilling operations.

Responsibilities

• Detailed well planning including design, engineering, and drilling procedures.
• Provide drilling engineering support for all well operations within a cross-functional team and coordinate recovery plans during NPT events.
• Conduct risk assessments for all operations and prepare mitigation plans for safe delivery.
• Prepare detailed time and cost estimates and own tracking of plan vs actual.
• Coordinate and manage drilling contractors supporting planning and execution, including NPT resolution and technical reviews.
• Budgeting, AFEs, and managing cost throughout operations.
• Track performance with micro-KPIs and drive continuous improvement in well cycle time and cost.
• Post-well closeout and reporting including lessons learned for future wells.

Skills

Directional drilling

Cementing

Drilling fluids

BHA design

Risk assessment

Cost estimation

AFE budgeting

Field operations

Health and safety

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

Well design software

Job description

Fervo Energy is seeking a Senior Drilling Engineer to design and execute advanced geothermal drilling in a dynamic environment. The role focuses on well planning, design, and operations support with an emphasis on safety and cost efficiency.

The candidate should have a deep drilling background, hands-on field experience, and the ability to adapt traditional oil/gas playbooks for geothermal applications. Collaboration with partners and suppliers is essential.