Principal Geophysicist

TGS ASA; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 200,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

TGS ASA is seeking a Principal Geophysicist to provide principal level technical leadership across complex seismic imaging and earth model building, owning end-to-end delivery of large programs. You will define strategy, lead cross-disciplinary teams, and serve as a senior client-facing authority for technical direction.

Responsibilities include setting technical vision for imaging and ML-enabled workflows, mentoring geophysicists, and engaging with clients and industry forums.

Qualifications

• 20+ years in seismic processing and imaging, with deep expertise in earth model building in complex geology.
• Proven delivery of FWI and depth imaging (RTM/LS-RTM, tomography) on GoA or comparable salt basins.
• Strong experience with OBN (sparse and dense) and streamer imaging.
• Demonstrated application of ML/AI to seismic or geophysical problems.
• Proven program/project management track record on large, multi-stakeholder engagements: scope, schedule, budget, and risk.
• Established client-facing leadership: trusted advisor role, executive communication, and workshop/proposal experience.
• Proficient in Python; comfortable with Linux/HPC environments and ML frameworks

Responsibilities

• Own execution of large, multi-workstream programs: scope, schedule, budget, risk, and governance.
• Define KPIs, milestones, and decision gates; report progress to TGS and client leadership.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across imaging, processing, R&T, data engineering, and commercial.
• Serve as senior client interface, align on strategy, lead technical reviews, and translate tradeoffs into business decisions.
• Set technical strategy for imaging and FWI-driven earth model building across OBN and streamer data.
• Guide model building decisions: parameterization, anisotropy strategy, multi-scale design, convergence criteria, and uncertainty framing.
• Drive integration of ML/AI methods into production workflows (denoising, interpolation, velocity estimation, imaging enhancement).
• Partner with R&T to mature new methods from prototype to production.
• Mentor senior and junior geophysicists; raise team capability in FWI, OBN, subsalt imaging, and ML workflows.
• Represent TGS in technical forums, client workshops, and industry venues (SEG, EAGE).

Skills

Python

Linux

HPC

ML frameworks

Education

MS/PhD in Geophysics, Geology, Physics or CS

Job description

TGS provides scientific data and intelligence to the global energy sector, enabling energy for all by unlocking vital, data‑driven solutions and knowledge. Through an extensive and diverse energy data library, advanced analytics, cloud‑based applications, and specialized services, we work in a way that is Passionate, Results‑Driven, Collaborative, and Responsible.

Job Summary

Provide principal level technical leadership across complex seismic imaging and earth model building, while owning end-to-end delivery of large, strategic programs. The Principal Geophysicist sets the technical vision spanning depth imaging, EMB and ML/AI workflows, leads multi-disciplinary teams, and serves as a senior client-facing authority for technical strategy and program execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Own execution of large, multi-workstream programs: scope, schedule, budget, risk, and governance.
• Define KPIs, milestones, and decision gates; report progress to TGS and client leadership.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across imaging, processing, R&T, data engineering, and commercial.
• Serve as senior client interface, align on strategy, lead technical reviews, and translate tradeoffs into business decisions.

Technical Direction

• Set technical strategy for complex imaging and FWI-driven earth model building across OBN (sparse/dense) and streamer data.
• Guide model building decisions: parameterization, anisotropy strategy, multi-scale design, convergence criteria, and uncertainty framing.
• Drive integration of ML/AI methods into production workflows (denoising, interpolation, velocity estimation, imaging enhancement).

Collaboration & Capability Building

• Partner with R&T to mature new methods from prototype to production.
• Mentor senior and junior geophysicists; raise team capability in FWI, OBN, subsalt imaging, and ML workflows.
• Represent TGS in technical forums, client workshops, and industry venues (SEG, EAGE).

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Geophysics, Geology, Physics, Computer Science.
• 20+ years in seismic processing and imaging, with deep expertise in earth model building in complex geology.
• Proven delivery of FWI and depth imaging (RTM/LS-RTM, tomography) on GoA or comparable salt basins.
• Strong experience with OBN (sparse and dense) and streamer imaging.
• Demonstrated application of ML/AI to seismic or geophysical problems.
• Proven program/project management track record on large, multi-stakeholder engagements: scope, schedule, budget, and risk.
• Established client-facing leadership: trusted advisor role, executive communication, and workshop/proposal experience.
• Track record of mentoring and leading technical teams.
• Python proficiency; comfort with Linux/HPC environments and ML frameworks

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or equivalent program management credential.
• Publications, patents, or recognized internal technology leadership in imaging, inversion, or ML for geophysics.
• Experience leading multi-year, multi-stakeholder programs.

TGS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our application process for individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail].