PROJECT MANAGER, ADVANCED DRILLING SYSTEMS

Planet A; Gloucester Point (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation & benefits

Opportunity to develop innovative solutions

Collaborate with top industry players

Job summary

Planet A in Virginia seeks a Project Manager to drive complex engineering new product development (NPD) projects. You will manage multi-million-dollar projects, ensuring successful delivery through collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.

The ideal candidate has over 15 years of experience in advanced engineering project management, a deep understanding of drilling technologies, and a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams.

Competitive compensation and benefits are offered, along with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of project management experience in advanced engineering.
• Deep understanding of drilling systems and downhole technologies.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams through full NPD cycles.

Responsibilities

• Manage multi-million-dollar NPD projects from concept through commercialization.
• Plan, track, and monitor project progress using various tools.
• Coordinate creation and delivery of engineering documentation.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Risk management

Stakeholder management

Education

BSME/MSME preferred

PMI certification (e.g., PMP) desirable

Tools

Jira

Power BI

Job description

GA Drilling is developing next generation drilling technologies to unlock geothermal energy anywhere on Earth. Our mission is to make geothermal a globally scalable, baseload source of clean power by enabling access to hard, hot rock at depths and temperatures that conventional drilling cannot reach economically.

Our work demands mastery across all facets of engineering—electronics, hydraulics, mechanics, systems, and control—and project management to create products that can survive and perform in harsh, high-temperature, high-load downhole conditions. Our technologies include smart downhole anchoring and drive systems that control the drilling process at the bit, plasma-based rock-destruction systems that fracture rock ahead of the drill bit, and innovative reeled drilling systems that redefine how hard-rock wells are constructed. These innovations—whether deployed individually or integrated into a groundbreaking autonomous reeled drilling system—enable hard-rock wells to be drilled further, faster, and safer than conventional technologies. With engineering teams in the USA, Brazil, the UK, and across Europe, and strong collaboration with leading operators, GA Drilling is progressing rapidly toward commercial deployment of these technologies.

We are seeking a Project Manager who will help us with this mission and will drive complex engineering new product development (NPD) projects from ideation through to commercialization following our rigorous stage gate process. You can be based at our UK (Tewkesbury) or USA (Houston, TX) office.

The opportunity for you

You will manage multi-million-dollar NPD projects from concept through to commercialization, coordinating and supporting the efforts of engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and field operations in a fast-moving, geographically separated and culturally diverse organization with technically challenging projects. Your work will directly influence GA Drilling’s ability to commercialize technology and accelerate the global energy transition.

You will own

Project Delivery

• Own project/product specifications, budgets, schedules, and ultimate delivery and work closely with peers and other stakeholders to ensure alignment
• Track budgets, forecast costs, and collaborate with finance to maintain strong project financial controls
• Ensure contract compliance, maintain audit-ready documentation, and support client handover packages.

Planning, Tracking, and Execution

• Plan, track, and monitor project and task progress using Jira, Power BI, schedules, Gantt charts, and resource-allocation tools following the company’s rigorous stage gate process.
• Lead kickoff, design reviews, status reviews, manage change processes, and document scope/schedule/cost adjustments.

Cross-Functional & External Coordination

• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and other functions in the organization to ensure alignment.
• Serve as the primary coordination point for suppliers, partners, and customers for assigned projects ensuring clear communication and alignment.

Technical & Risk Management Support

• Support and report on the conception, design, development, testing, and commercialization of innovative drilling technologies and systems.
• Identify project and technical risks, develop mitigation plans, track their implementation and contribute to formal technical risk-management processes.
• Coordinate creation and delivery of engineering documentation—drawings, calculations, procedures, reports

Team Leadership & HSEQ Culture

• Mentor and support team members to foster a collaborative, accountable, high-performance project environment.
• Promote a proactive HSEQ culture and ensure all activities comply with company policy.

What we expect from you:

Experience & Technical Domain Knowledge

• 15+ years of project management experience in advanced engineering, drilling technology, or complex industrial product development.
• Deep understanding of drilling systems and downhole technologies, including mechanical, hydraulic, electronic, and operational aspects.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams through full NPD cycles—from concept and design to testing, qualification, and commercialization.
• BSME/MSME preferred; PMI certification (e.g., PMP) desirable.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Ability to thrive in a matrix organization and coordinate across multiple functions, stakeholders, and international teams.
• Strong communication, delegation, and teamwork skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Demonstrated ability to provide and receive constructive, technically grounded feedback that drives product improvement.

Execution Excellence & Strategic Focus

• Highly detail-oriented while able to balance trade-offs, prioritize effectively, and maintain alignment with broader strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, translate high-level direction into actionable plans, and deliver reliably against schedule and milestones.

Professional Mindset & Working Style

• Comfortable operating in fast-moving, high-accountability engineering environments.
• Commitment to quality, rigor, and disciplined project execution

What we offer:

• Opportunity to develop unique and innovative technological solutions which have the potential to change the world.
• The satisfaction of solving challenges associated with making ultra-deep geothermal energy a commercial reality.
• Be part of an experienced, global and highly motivated team.
• Collaborate with the world’s top industry players.
• Competitive industry compensation & benefits