MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Planet A; Gloucester Point (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Opportunity to contribute to geothermal energy projects

Work with an experienced team

Job summary

Planet A is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to work on innovative drilling technologies aimed at unlocking geothermal energy. The successful candidate will focus on mechanical design for downhole drilling systems and play a crucial role in ensuring safe, efficient drilling operations.

You will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams while maintaining a focus on safety and compliance. A BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering is required, along with experience in mechanical design and troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical engineering and design.
• Familiarity with relevant standards and legislation.
• Skills in assembly, maintenance, and testing of mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical design and analysis for drilling technologies.
• Adhere to safety regulations and quality procedures.
• Assist with equipment assembly and troubleshooting.

Skills

Mechanical engineering fundamentals

Electromechanical fundamentals

Computer aided design

Component design and manufacturing

Troubleshooting

Strong problem-solving skills

Excellent communication skills

Education

BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CFD

FEA

Job description

GA Drilling is developing next-generation drilling technologies to unlock geothermal energy at depths and in conditions that conventional drilling cannot reach economically. Our mission is to make geothermal a scalable, baseload source of clean power by enabling reliable, efficient drilling in hard, hot rock. With engineering teams in the USA, Brazil, the UK, and across Europe, we are progressing rapidly toward commercial deployment of our technologies.

We are seeking a mechanical engineer with a practical bias to perform mechanical design for downhole drilling systems and associated equipment related to assembly, testing, and maintenance. The ideal candidate will be equally comfortable working with established processes and procedures, or with helping to develop and refine new ones.

You will be based at our UK Tewkesbury Product Center.

The opportunity for you

You will be a core member of the operations team at our UK Product Centre, working closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality & Compliance. Your work will ensure that drilling tools are produced, deployed, and maintained. You will have the opportunity to positively impact technology and processes as we move from prototype builds to commercial operations.

You will own

1. Safety and Compliance
   
   • Adhere to all health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations and quality procedures to ensure safe work practices.
   • Support a positive and proactive HSE culture.
   • Help maintain a safe, organized, and tidy work environment (5S, housekeeping, waste segregation).
2. Mechanical Design
   
   • Perform mechanical design and analysis of mechanical components and systems for drilling technologies, and associated tooling and test equipment.
   • Adhere to GA Drilling processes to ensure that equipment is safe, reliable, and efficient.
   • Perform calculations to support the design and material selection (e.g. Stress calculations).
   • Use analytical skills to derive potential solutions to engineering problems and use engineering judgement to recommend suitable options.
   • Generate high quality engineering documentation, including drawings, calculations, procedures, and reports.
   • Contribute to technical risk management.
   • Plan equipment integration and commissioning.
   • Actively participate in design reviews.
   • Assist with project requirements, budgeting, timelines, and specifications.
   • Maintain equipment product files.
   • Travel to field locations if required.
3. Assembly and Maintenance
   
   • Assist with equipment assembly, disassembly, maintenance, repair, and testing process and procedures creation and refinement.
   • Assist on a hands‑on basis when required.
4. Troubleshooting and Repair
   
   • Assist with diagnosing and repairing equipment failures.
   • Assist with failure reporting.
   • Work with Engineering, Manufacturing and Quality & Compliance to escape solve technical or quality issues, and support investigations.
5. Collaboration
   
   • Support other departments and functions e.g. manufacturing or supply chain to ensure seamless equipment deployment.
   • Engage with external suppliers when required.

What we expect from you:

1. Experience & technical skills
   
   • Familiar with mechanical engineering fundamentals.
   • Familiarity with electromechanical fundamentals would be beneficial.
   • Familiarity with computer aided design, and analysis (CFD/FEA) applications.
   • Knowledge of relevant standards and legislation.
   • Experience in component design and manufacturing.
   • Experience with equipment troubleshooting, and report generation.
   • Experience with the assembly, maintenance, and testing of complex mechanical and electromechanical systems would be advantageous.
   • Design justification experience via analysis and calculation- FEA, Stress, and Thermal Calculations would be beneficial.
   • Experience with hydraulics would be beneficial.
   • Experience with drilling tool design would be advantageous.
   • Qualifications: BSc or MSc.
2. Working style & collaboration
   
   • High attention to detail, accuracy, and documentation discipline.
   • Pragmatic and able to make decisions based on business priorities.
   • Comfortable working with established processes and procedures, or with helping to develop and refine new ones
   • Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
   • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective collaboration and reporting.
   • Demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team
   • Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback, contributing to improved product performance and reliability.

What we offer

• Opportunity to contribute directly to making ultra-deep geothermal energy a commercial reality.
• Chance to help establish and shape a new UK Product Centre from its early stages.
• Work with an experienced, international team of engineers and operations professionals.
• Competitive compensation and benefits in line with industry and local market.