Senior Drilling Engineer
About the Company
The mining industry has steadily become worse at finding new ore deposits, requiring >10X more capital to make discoveries compared to 30 years ago. The easy-to-find, near-surface deposits have largely been found, and the industry has chronically under-invested in new exploration technology, relying on the manual techniques of yesteryear — even as demand accelerates for copper, lithium, and other metals to build electric vehicles, renewable energy, and data centers.
KoBold builds AI models for mineral exploration and deploys those models — alongside our novel sensors — to guide decisions on KoBold-owned-and-operated exploration programs. Since our founding in 2018, KoBold has become by far both the largest independent mineral exploration company and the largest exploration technology developer. Our data scientists and software engineers, who come from leading technology companies, jointly lead exploration programs with our renowned exploration geologists.
KoBold has proven its first discovery with materially less capital than the industry average and found one of the best copper deposits ever discovered: the copper is far more concentrated than the global average of copper mines, and this asset alone is expected to generate meaningful revenue for decades. KoBold has a portfolio of more than 60 other projects, each of which has the potential for another high-quality discovery.
KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and natural resources companies Equinor, BHP, and Mitsubishi.
About the Role:
In the role of Senior Drilling Engineer, you will design, plan, and provide technical oversight of drilling programs across KoBold’s global exploration portfolio. You will work closely with our science teams to translate exploration objectives into hole designs, drilling programs, and operational plans that deliver safe, high-quality data collection at optimal cost. You will report to the Vice President Field Operations and collaborate daily with Geologists, Data Scientists, Field Operations, Drilling, HSE, and other functions. Your primary responsibility will be to serve as the technical lead for drilling engineering on multiple concurrent projects across diverse geographies and commodities.
Responsibilities
Design and Plan
- Lead hole design, drilling method selection, and rig specification for complex exploration drilling programs including diamond core, sonic, reverse circulation and air core programs
- Develop comprehensive drilling execution plans: scope, cost estimates, schedules, risk assessments, and procurement strategies
- Complete detailed engineering design to inform the development of drilling programs for various hole types including casing design, torque and drag analysis, directional drilling design, mud system design.
- Complete detailed root cause analysis on all downhole failures with a particular focus on rod string and thread failures, stuck in hole, wireline failures and the correlation to dogleg severity, hole trajectory, and adherence to good drilling practices.
- Collaborate with KoBold’s science teams to translate exploration hypotheses and data collection objectives into executable drilling programs and AFEs
- Lead procurement processes from RFP development through bid evaluation and contractor selection, including assessment of contractor safety management plans and technical capability
- Contribute to data collection planning during all phases of the Exploration Project Lifecycle
- Generate creative drilling solutions that improve efficiency, data quality, or safety beyond conventional approaches
- Mentor 2 junior drilling engineers to develop skills related to all aspects noted above
Execute
- Provide technical oversight of drilling operations across multiple concurrent programs, ensuring adherence to hole design, safety standards, and data collection objectives
- Use advanced hole design and analysis software tools to conduct analyses and develop recommendations during active programs
- Manage and direct contractor performance, providing technical guidance, feedback, and improvement recommendations
- Track and forecast production rates, costs, and resource requirements; synthesize complex operational scenarios with benefits and risks for leadership review
- Ensure drilling safety and value engineering principles are applied throughout program execution
- Identify and resolve complex multivariable drilling problems using independent judgment and technical expertise
- Mentor 2 junior drilling engineers to develop skills related to all aspects noted above
Close
- Lead post-program reviews and lessons learned to drive continuous improvement in drilling operations
- Contribute to the development of KoBold’s drilling engineering standards and best practices
- Mentor 2 junior drilling engineers to develop skills related to all aspects noted above
Compliance and Stakeholder Engagement
- Ensure drilling programs comply with applicable regulatory, environmental, and permitting requirements across multiple jurisdictions
- Ensure execution is conducted within applicable permitting processes, land access agreements, community relations obligations, third-party agreements, and any joint venture requirements
- Represent KoBold to drilling contractors, regulatory bodies, and external partners with professionalism and sound judgment
Qualifications
- Undergraduate or Masters degree in Mechanical, Petroleum, Civil, Geological or Electrical with 7+ years of progressive experience in drilling engineering for oil and gas and/or mineral exploration
- Fully competent in all standard drilling techniques and procedures, with advanced knowledge of diamond core drilling operations across multiple program types, geographies, and commodities
- Advanced knowledge of construction methodology relevant to drilling programs, including seasonal and terrain-specific construction (tracks, pads, access roads)
- Advanced understanding of helicopter-supported exploration drilling, including utilization optimization and emergency response considerations
- Proficiency in hole design and analysis software tools
- Strong understanding of procurement processes: RFP development, bid evaluation, contract administration, and vendor management
- Demonstrated commitment to health and safety standards, including incident management, root cause analysis, and corrective action implementation
- Comprehensive knowledge of industry drilling codes, company standards, and safety policies
- Ability to design complex drilling programs including scope, cost estimates, risk assessments, procurement, and execution plans
- Ability to work in remote and isolated locations for extended periods across diverse global environments
- A high degree of independence and the ability to work effectively with limited supervision
- Must speak, read, and write in English, French fluency considered a strong positive
- Valid First Aid Certification (Level 3 or Wilderness First Aid preferred)
- Working towards or holding P.Eng. designation or equivalent professional registration
Preferred
- Expert-level knowledge of drilling operations across multiple program types, geographies, and commodities, preference given to those with experience in Africa
- Experience working on projects with dedicated exploration teams including both Geologists and Data Scientists, demonstrating sustained partnership and effective interdisciplinary collaboration
- Understanding of regulatory, environmental, and permitting frameworks across multiple jurisdictions
- Experience with logistics tied to complex remote drilling operations, including helicopter, weather, camps, chartered flights, and camp infrastructure
- Experience evaluating and introducing new drilling technologies and methodologies
- Experience mentoring junior drilling engineers and technical staff
- Additional language skills (French, or languages relevant to KoBold’s operating jurisdictions) are an asset
What We Value
- Effective communication with team members across Geology, Data Science, HSE, Aviation, Legal, Community Relations, and Land and Permitting
- Perpetuating KoBold’s ethical standards through your own actions and in communicating with others
- Active collaboration with science teams to ensure drilling programs are optimized for data collection objectives
- Translating complex technical drilling programs into clear, executable operational work packages for cross-functional audiences
- Composure and professionalism in high-pressure field situations; serving as a stabilizing presence when others look for direction
- Receiving constructive and critical feedback with grace and providing constructive guidance to others
- Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eagerness to pitch in where needed
What to Expect
Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.
KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
This position is a Full-Time Employee Location: Location: Remote. Preference will be given to candidates legally authorized to work in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, United Kingdom, or Zambia.