Principal Drilling Engineer

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the planning and coordination of drilling activities. This includes serving as a project manager for drilling projects, preparation and implementation of drilling engineering programs, regulatory agency approvals, optimization of drilling processes and operations, summarization of results and lessons learned, and preparation and maintenance of the drilling budget.

• Collaborate and lead project teams of drilling engineers, geologists, resource engineers, drilling personnel, procurement, permitting, and other internal and external staff, vendors, and business partners.
• Prepare and manage drilling programs to ensure timely and efficient execution of all drilling activities.
• Ensure that drilling tasks have been thoroughly researched, engineered, analyzed and implemented with regulatory agency approval and in a safe and efficient manner.
• Establish goals, schedules and deadlines for drilling activities and programs.
• Consult on safety, regulatory and quality assurance concerns.
• Keep abreast of new developments in drilling techniques; modify drilling operations to implement these new techniques.
• Supervise and manage drilling projects.
• Prepare the drilling budget and control expenditures.
• Track drilling costs and approve invoices.
• Manage Ormat and contract company representatives to solve issues while drilling.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle in a safe manner, enter and exit vehicle without assistance, remain alert while driving for continuous period of time and read and understand maps.
• Must be able to travel frequently nationally and internationally.
• Proactively make recommendations for reservoir management and wellfield operations based on data analysis and conceptual models.
• Effectively communicate results and recommendations to peers and management verbally and in writing. Verbal communication may be presentations, group meetings, or individually.

• Provides technical advice for drilling contractors and consultants.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• Must have excellent communication and project management skills, PMP certification preferred, but not required.
• Must have excellent organizational and planning skills with a strong sense of urgency and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a busy work environment with intense periods of activity.
• Proficiency in various computer software applications, including Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, Project, Teams, etc.), SAP, and Primavera P6.
• Knowledge in RIMBase and Landmark Software such as Well Plan, Compass, Stress Check and WellCAT is a plus.
• Must have the ability to read, write and speak English at a level that will permit the employee to understand and communicate information in a manner that will enable the employee to safely and efficiently perform the job duties.
• Must possess at any time a valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to ORMAT auto insurance carrier.
• Some weekend and holiday work required.
• Drilling Engineer: 0 - 5 years experience.
• Project Drilling Engineer: 3 - 9 years experience.
• Senior Drilling Engineer: 7 - 15 years experience.
• Chief Drilling Engineer: 13 - 20 years experience.
• Years of experience above are a guideline and each candidate is subject to placement based on Ormat's Technical Career Path.

• The ability to navigate and work in remote field locations and work outdoors in difficult weather conditions.
• The ability to climb stairs and navigate around equipment on a drill rig.

• Mid-Senior level

• Full-time

• Engineering and Information Technology

• Industrial Machinery Manufacturing