Principal Geophysicist: Imaging Strategy & ML Leader

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 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.