Head of Drilling (m/w/d)

Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled-starting from (below) the ground up. As the nation's leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, and up to 4x more efficient than traditional HVAC, with a focus on large, scaled deployments to large homebuilders. We're an ambitious (and growing) team on a mission to revolutionize home heating.

Backed by Google Ventures (GV) and other top tech investors, our end-to-end geothermal solution is breaking the status quo of residential heating and cooling technology, and we're scaling rapidly to meet demand. Whether we're serving national homebuilders or individual homeowners, our mission is the same: to make geothermal the default choice for heating and cooling in the U.S.

About the job

The Regional Drilling Director will lead the expansion and optimization of Dandelion's geothermal drilling operations on the East Coast. Reporting to the VP of Drilling, the Director will oversee a regional team of drilling crews, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive continuous improvement. This role combines strategic planning, technical leadership, and operational management to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective drilling while fostering a culture of safety, innovation, and excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage drilling teams, drillers, and support personnel to ensure safe, efficient execution of drilling operations.
• Establish a technical department focused on drilling techniques, equipment selection, and logistics to maximize productivity.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance drilling performance, reduce downtime, and increase overall project profitability.
• Develop and manage budgets, schedules, and performance metrics; provide regular reports to senior management.
• Cement a safety mindset in the team and support with safety standards, routines, and recognition.
• Mentor and coach team members to promote professional development and a culture of safety and excellence.
• Stay current on industry trends, technology, and regulatory developments, incorporating innovations into drilling strategies.

You will thrive in this role if you have

• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead large, multi-state teams and navigate complex operational challenges.
• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Passion for sustainability and mission-driven work.
• Curiosity, ownership, and a team-first mentality.

Must-haves

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
• 8+ years of experience in heavy construction, utility-scale renewable energy, or related industries.
• Minimum of 3 years of direct management or supervisory experience leading teams of 4 or more.
• 4+ years drilling operations experience
• Strong technical knowledge of drilling techniques, geothermal reservoir characteristics, and project management.
• Strong understanding of safety regulations, environmental compliance, and risk management practices.
• Proficiency with project management systems, operational software, and data analysis tools.
• Willingness to travel locally and regionally up to 50% of the time - a mix of same-day visits and overnight trips - with occasional short-notice travel as business needs arise.
• Valid driver's license with a safe driving record that meets company insurance requirements
• Personal vehicle and ability/willingness to drive to job sites within approximately 75 miles

Bonus points for

• Degree in Geology, Petroleum Engineering, Geothermal Engineering or Civil Engineering.
• Prior experience in geothermal energy, HVAC, water, oil and/or clean tech.
• Experience building and leading technical drilling teams.
• Familiarity with startup or high-growth environments.

You'll love working at Dandelion because

Since spinning out of Google X in 2017, Dandelion Energy has been transforming home heating and cooling through cutting-edge geothermal technology. We design and install the most efficient residential heat pump in the U.S., serving both individual homeowners and some of the nation's largest homebuilders.

Our team has elevated the profile of geothermal heat pumps nationally, delivered thousands of high-quality installations across the country, and successfully championed electrification-friendly policy at local and federal levels.

We're a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team of experts-spanning hardware engineering, HVAC, drilling, solar finance, behavioral economics, and startup operations-united by a shared mission: to make clean, affordable heating and cooling the default for every home. The work is complex, meaningful, and built to scale.

We foster a collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive work culture where cross-functional teamwork, curiosity, and continuous learning are core to how we operate. Our nationwide team is united by a shared passion for sustainability and a commitment to scaling clean, affordable energy solutions that make a real difference.

We're driving a wholesale shift in how homes are heated and cooled-join us.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical (including mental health), dental, vision, and pet insurance
• 401(k) plan
• Commuter benefits
• Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave
• Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses