Senior Drilling Engineer

Senior Drilling Engineer

About the Company

In the coming decades, our world needs far more critical minerals including copper, lithium, and cobalt, to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. The mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered.

KoBold is the leading scientific mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects.

Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations.

KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another 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 strategic natural resources companies 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