Drilling Operations Lead

Fervo Energy

Houston, TXRemoteFull-timeNo compensation foundPosted 3w agoVerified open 4 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation

No compensation found

Location

Houston, TXRemote

Schedule

Full-time

Work Authorization

Not specified

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degree

Job overview

Fervo Energy is hiring a Drilling Operations Lead. Fervo Energy seeks a Drilling Operations Lead to guide engineers and field personnel in advanced geothermal drilling. The role demands strong field instincts, extensive drilling operations expertise, and the ability to build and manage high‑performing teams while adapting oil‑and‑gas practices for cost‑effective, safe, and reliable geothermal well execution.

Key focus areas include Lead and manage a team of Drill‑Site Managers and Field Superintendents across active drilling operations, Support real‑time execution decisions on rigs, coordinating recovery plans and technical reviews during NPT events, and Establish and enforce HSE standards and practices across all rig sites ensuring full compliance.

Successful candidates bring Bachelor's Degree In Engineering, 10+ Years Drilling Engineering Operations Experience, and Minimum 5 Years With Operator In US Onshore Horizontal Drilling. Important skills include Team Leadership, Offshore Drilling, Risk Analysis, Casing Design, Directional Drilling, and Drill String / BHA Design. Preferred (not required): Operational Excellence, Mentorship, Onshore, and Supply Chain Management.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Team LeadershipOffshore DrillingRisk AnalysisOperational ExcellenceMentorshipOnshoreSupply Chain ManagementCost ManagementCasing DesignDirectional DrillingDrill String / BHA DesignDrilling FluidsCementingContingency PlanningRisk AssessmentWell Time / Cost EstimatesPlanning Complex Drilling OperationsCommunicationLeadershipInterpersonal SkillsProblem SolvingContinuous ImprovementHSE ProtectionCoachingDrill String DesignBHA DesignWell Time EstimatesCost EstimatesExecuting Horizontal Drilling in Unconventional WellsProtecting Health, Safety, and EnvironmentOverseeing Multi-Rig Drilling OperationsHands-on Field Experience Across DrillingCompletionsWorkover OperationsManaging Multiple Rigs ConcurrentlyManaging Multiple Crews ConcurrentlyMentoring Early-Career StaffWorking on First-of-a-Kind Well DesignsWorking on Non-Standard Well DesignsWorking on Technically Complex Well DesignsWell Cost EstimatesComplex Drilling PlanningHorizontal DrillingUnconventional WellsHSE StandardsComplex Drilling Operations PlanningHSE Standards ComplianceField Experience Across Drilling, Completions, WorkoverManaging Multiple Rigs or CrewsFirst-of-a-Kind Well DesignsMulti-Rig Drilling Operations OversightHands-on Field ExperienceHSE ComplianceField LeadershipMulti‑Rig OperationsCompletions OperationsHSE Standards EnforcementMulti-Rig Drilling Operations LeadershipHands-on Field Experience Across Drilling Completions WorkoverManaging Multiple Rigs or Crews ConcurrentlyHealth Safety Environment CommitmentManaging Multiple Rigs Crews ConcurrentlyFirst-of-a-Kind Non-Standard Technically Complex Well DesignsHands-on Field Experience Drilling Completions WorkoverFirst-of-a-Kind Non-Standard Complex Well DesignsHealth Safety Environment ComplianceMulti‑Rig Operations ManagementHands-on Field Experience Across Drilling, Completions, and/or Workover OperationsField Leadership Multi‑Rig OperationsHands‑on Drilling Completions WorkoverMultiple Rig ManagementTeam ManagementDrilling Operations ExpertiseDrilling Fluids KnowledgeCementing KnowledgeWell Time Cost EstimationHorizontal Drilling in Unconventional WellsFirst‑of‑a‑Kind Well Design ExperienceHorizontal Drilling Unconventional WellsField Experience Drilling Completions WorkoverWell Cost EstimationField ExperienceMentoring StaffField Leadership Overseeing Multi-Rig Drilling OperationsMentoring Early-Career Staff Into Leadership RolesField Personnel LeadershipEscalation ManagementCross‑Functional AlignmentMulti‑Rig Drilling LeadershipHands‑on Drilling, Completions, Workover ExperienceFirst‑of‑a‑Kind Complex Well Design ExperienceFirst-of-a-Kind Well DesignMulti-Rig Field LeadershipDrilling Completions Workover ExperienceMultiple Rig Crew ManagementStaff MentoringFirst-of-a-Kind Complex Well DesignsBottom Hole Assembly DesignUnconventional Well DrillingHealth Safety Environment StandardsMulti-Rig Drilling OperationsDrilling Completions

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering10+ Years Drilling Engineering / Operations ExperienceMinimum 5 Years Operator US Onshore Horizontal Drilling ExperiencePrior Experience Leading or Supervising Drilling OperationsPrior Experience in Field Leadership Role Overseeing Multi-Rig Drilling OperationsExperience Managing Multiple Rigs or Crews ConcurrentlyExperience Mentoring Early-Career Staff Into Leadership RolesExperience Working on First-of-a-Kind Non-Standard Technically Complex Well Designs

Full job description

Apply Job Type Full-time Description Fervo is working to build the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in the world. Delivering on this mission requires first-of-a-kind well designs, disciplined execution in the field, and continuous learning across the full well lifecycle. Joining Fervo’s Geoblock Factory organization means operating where subsurface innovation meets real-world execution, with safety, reliability, and capital efficiency as non-negotiables.

We are seeking a Drilling Operations Lead who is excited by Fervo’s mission and motivated to lead a team of engineers and field personnel executing advanced geothermal drilling operations in a highly dynamic environment. This role is ideal for a leader with strong field instincts, deep drilling operations experience, and the ability to build and manage a high-performing team where standard oil and gas playbooks must be adapted—or reinvented—for geothermal applications.

The Drilling Operations Lead is responsible for leading Fervo’s drilling operations team and overseeing daily execution across active rigs to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of wells. The Drilling Operations Lead will manage and develop a team of field personnel, set operational priorities, and serve as the primary point of accountability for rig-site execution.

Requirements Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of Drill-Site Managers (DSMs) and Field Superintendents across active drilling operations, setting priorities and providing day-to-day direction
In alignment with the Drilling Engineers, support real-time execution decisions on active rigs, coordinating recovery plans and technical reviews during NPT events
Establish and enforce HSE standards and practices across all rig sites, ensuring full compliance with company and regulatory requirements
Develop, mentor, and grow team members’ technical and leadership capabilities, including career development planning
Drive continuous improvement in well cycle time, cost, and performance
Coordinate with drilling contractors, service providers, and vendors to ensure resources and equipment support planned operations
Serve as the primary escalation point for operational issues, resolving conflicts and driving cross-functional alignment with planning, supply chain, and engineering teams
Lead post-well closeout reviews and ensure lessons learned are captured and implemented across the team
Represent drilling operations in leadership reviews and communicate program status, risks, and resourcing needs Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in engineering (or equivalent field experience)
10+ years of experience in drilling engineering / operations, including experience leading field teams (minimum 5 years with an operator in US Onshore horizontal drilling)
Prior experience leading or supervising Drilling Operations
Ability to demonstrate competency in core well engineering fundamentals, including casing design, directional drilling, drill string / BHA design, drilling fluids, cementing, and contingency planning
Experience in risk assessment, well time / cost estimates, and planning complex drilling operations
Experience executing horizontal drilling in unconventional wells
Experience with supply chain and cost management
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Strong problem solver committed to continuous improvement and operational excellence
Unwavering commitment to protecting Health, Safety, and Environment in all aspects of design and operations Preferred
Prior experience in a field leadership role overseeing multi-rig drilling operations
Hands-on field experience across drilling, completions, and/or workover operations
Experience managing multiple rigs or crews concurrently
Experience mentoring or developing early-career staff into leadership roles
Experience working on first-of-a-kind, non-standard, or technically complex well designs

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