Senior to Lead Geologist

This role leads basin-scale subsurface evaluations and interpretations across the Permian Basin from our Houston office, establishing the technical foundation for analytical models that guide development strategies, identify upside potential, and define long-term growth priorities. Leveraging newly acquired 3D seismic, the Senior to Lead Geologist spearheads opportunity evaluation and prospect generation, ensuring high-quality geoscience insights directly inform both near-term and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical evaluation and recommendation of development, exploration, acquisition, and divestiture opportunities, providing strategic guidance to executive leadership on asset value, risk, and growth potential.
• Serve as a key advisor to senior leadership by integrating geoscience insights with business objectives to influence capital allocation, development planning, and long-range corporate strategy.
• Establish and drive geological standards, best practices, and technical workflows across the organization to ensure consistency, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams in identifying, maturing, and prioritizing drilling and development opportunities that support corporate production and reserve growth targets.
• Evaluate subsurface risks and uncertainties and provide strategic recommendations to optimize investment decisions and portfolio performance.
• Represent the Geology & Geophysics function in strategic planning sessions, reserves discussions, A&D evaluations, and executive-level presentations.
• Influence organizational direction through the identification of emerging plays, technologies, and business opportunities that enhance competitive advantage and long-term value creation.
• Provide high-level geological and geophysical support including subsurface analysis, exploration, and development programs; deliver accurate, decision-ready technical work with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrate advanced technical expertise in A&D focus areas, integrating cross-basin knowledge to elevate evaluation quality and introduce innovative approaches to field, play, and asset development.
• Monitor emerging technologies, scientific research, and industry advancements, translating relevant insights into actionable recommendations that enhance organizational capability and technical competitiveness.
• Execute technical projects with disciplined rigor, ensuring interpretations, workflows, and recommendations maintain geological integrity and clearly communicate economic implications.
• Lead technical staff in concept development, workflow refinement, and project optimization in support of continuous improvement across the department.
• Build and maintain respectful, productive working relationships across all work groups, fostering a culture of cooperation, shared accountability, and effective problem-solving.
• Act as a mentor, coach, and technical resource, helping to develop team technical talent.
• Foster a work environment consistent with the company’s Purpose, Vision & Core Values.

Requirements

• M.S. in Geology or equivalent relevant experience.
• Minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in Oil & Gas Exploration and Production.
• Experience working in either the Eagle Ford or Austin Chalk formations (experience in both strongly preferred).
• Operations geology experience, including supporting drilling activities and providing real-time geological interpretation.
• Demonstrated experience geosteering horizontal wells and making recommendations to optimize well placement during drilling operations.
• Ability to interpret subsurface geological and drilling data to support operational decision-making and maximize reservoir exposure.
• Knowledge of the San Miguel formation.
• Advanced proficiency in Geographix and/or Kingdom software.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to connect technical findings to commercial outcomes.
• Proven ability to execute projects with a high degree of technical rigor and professionalism.
• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in horizontal well planning, development workflows, and geosteering practices.
• Demonstrated passion for and expertise in exploring and developing unconventional reservoir opportunities.
• High level of professional integrity, accountability, and ownership of work products.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8-10 years of relevant oil and gas upstream experience.
• Seismic interpretation and solid petrophysical experience.
• Leadership and mentoring experience.
• Experience collaborating with drilling, completions, and multidisciplinary asset teams.
• Self-starter comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with minimal direction.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects, timelines, and stakeholders.
• Comfortable in a small-company, hands-on environment, producing analyses and reports as needed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package including generous PTO, 401k match, and discretionary profit sharing.
• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities.
• Eligibility for short-term incentive program.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance available from the first day of employment.
• Several voluntary group benefits available.

Schedule

• Hybrid work schedule.
• Up to 10% travel as business requires.

Work Environment

• Climate-controlled office environment.
• Routine use of standard office equipment.

Physical requirements include remaining seated for 90% of work time, speaking and hearing clearly, lifting office products and supplies up to 20 lbs (20% of work time), stooping/kneeling/bending/reaching (15% of work time), and dexterity to write and manipulate keyboard and mouse (100% of work time).