Master Driller

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

Dandelion Energy is seeking a licensed and experienced Geothermal Driller to join our growing field operations team. Based in Maryland or Virginia, this full-time role involves drilling vertical geothermal boreholes for both production single-family new construction and multifamily residential projects across the greater Washington, DC region. This is an opportunity to be part of the team scaling the clean energy transition from the ground up.

The ideal candidate holds an active Maryland Master Well Driller or Master Well System Driller license and brings a strong commitment to safety, quality, and efficient field execution. This position reports to our VP of Drilling.

Responsibilities

• Drill vertical geothermal boreholes to specification for residential and multifamily construction sites.
• Operate and maintain drilling rigs and associated equipment, ensuring all work is performed safely and in compliance with local regulations.
• Interpret site plans, drilling logs, and geothermal system designs to execute accurate and efficient borehole drilling.
• Coordinate with field operations, site supervisors, and subcontractors to support project timelines and minimize disruptions.
• Document drilling activity, soil and rock conditions, depths, grouting, and other critical field data.
• Ensure compliance with Maryland and local jurisdiction regulations, including permitting, well construction standards, and environmental protections.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior drillers or helpers on best practices and regulatory compliance.
• Support routine maintenance of drilling equipment and vehicles to ensure reliability and longevity.

You will thrive in this role if you have

• Passion for hands-on, outdoor field work and operating heavy machinery
• A strong commitment to safety and following procedures
• Excitement about working on a collaborative, mission-driven team
• Comfort working in dynamic environments with evolving challenges
• Desire to be part of a fast-paced, growing clean energy company

Must-haves

• Active Maryland Master Well Driller or Master Well System Driller license
• Residency in or willingness to work in DC, Maryland or Virginia with regular travel to DC metro area job sites
• 3+ years of experience in geothermal or water well drilling, ideally in residential or multifamily settings
• Proven ability to work on active construction sites and coordinate with multiple trades
• Strong knowledge of drilling practices, grouting, site safety, and local regulatory compliance
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and borehole logs
• Physically able to perform demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions
• Valid driver’s license with a clean record; CDL is a plus

Bonus points for

• Experience drilling geothermal borefields for high-volume production (multiple bores per site)
• Familiarity with loop installation, grouting systems, and closed-loop geothermal components
• Familiarity with one or more drilling techniques (e.g., mud/air rotary, casing advancement, dual rotary, sonic)
• OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification

Pay Range

The expected base salary range for this role in DC, Maryland or Virginia is $140,000-$175,000. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors permitted by law. This role may also be eligible for equity.

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
• Stock/equity options
• Commuter benefits
• Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave
• Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses