Sr. Drilling Engineer

Position Summary

This position is responsible for leading the planning, design, and coordination of safe, efficient drilling and workover operations. It is a lifecycle well engineering role supporting drilling activities across the Concept Select, Define, and Delivery stages of Ormat’s Well Delivery Process, with occasional support for workover operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead collaboration across project teams including subsurface, drilling operations, procurement, and permitting to ensure aligned well delivery.
• Prepare and own detailed well programs, engineering designs, and execution strategies.
• Perform and validate engineering analysis (hydraulics, torque & drag, casing design, cementing, etc.) ensuring technical integrity.
• Identify, quantify, and manage well risks; develop contingency plans and decision frameworks for critical operations.
• Establish goals, schedules, and performance targets for drilling activities and ensure delivery against plan.
• Provide real-time engineering support during drilling operations, including optimization and structured problem-solving.
• Own drilling budgets, cost forecasting, and expenditure control; approve invoices and manage financial performance.
• Lead post-well reviews, identify performance gaps, and implement lessons learned into future designs and standards.
• Develop, maintain, and improve drilling standards, best practices, and engineering guidelines.
• Led contract holder for multiple service lines; define scopes of work, KPIs, and drive vendor performance.
• Evaluate and implement new drilling technologies and techniques to improve efficiency and outcomes.
• Ensure full compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety requirements; support permitting strategy as needed.
• Leverage and improve digital tools and systems (e.g., RimBase, Corva, Landmark, dashboards) to enhance planning, execution, and reporting.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to development of team capability and culture.
• Communicate complex technical concepts, risks, and recommendations clearly to management and stakeholders.
• Demonstrates full ownership of well engineering scope from planning through execution and handover.
• Proactively manages uncertainty and drives high-quality decision-making.
• Delivers wells safely, on schedule, and within budget while optimizing performance.
• Acts as a technical leader and trusted partner across disciplines.
• Continuously improves systems, processes, and team capability.

Essential Functions

• Other duties assigned by management.

Education, Experience, And Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant drilling engineering experience, with demonstrated ownership of well planning and execution.
• Experience supporting full well lifecycle activities across planning, design, and execution phases (Concept Select, Define, Delivery).
• Strong understanding of drilling engineering fundamentals, including well design, hydraulics, torque & drag, casing, and cementing.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage operational and technical risks.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional coordination and deliver well programs safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Strong project management, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a sense of ownership and urgency.
• Able to support real-time operations and provide structured troubleshooting and decision-making during critical activities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly present technical information, risks, and recommendations to peers and management.
• Proficiency in standard business software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and ability to learn and apply drilling engineering tools and systems (e.g., RimBase).
• Experience with industry drilling software (e.g., Landmark WellPlan, WellCAT) is a plus.
• Well Control certification (IWCF or IADC) preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with periods of high operational intensity.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, including occasional weekend and holiday support.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to ORMAT’s Safe Driving policy.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English to safely and efficiently perform job duties.

Physical Requirements

• The ability to navigate and work in remote field locations and work outdoors in difficult weather conditions.
• The ability to walk, hike and work on steep, rough terrain for extended periods of time on occasion.
• Must be able to work in plant/drilling operating areas including exposure to noise, vibrations, heat and cold.
• Must be able to wear any required protective equipment, as required by safety procedures and regulations.