Lead Geothermal Exploration Geologist

Quaise Energy, Inc•La Pine, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Quaise Energy is seeking a Lead Geothermal Exploration Geologist to lead geothermal exploration, geological evaluation, and subsurface characterization activities. The role focuses on identifying and advancing resources suitable for Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) development. This position is responsible for translating regional geothermal concepts, lease-position data, and subsurface evidence into actionable exploration, acquisition, and resource development programs to support long-term project execution and portfolio growth. The Lead Geothermal Exploration Geologist will serve as a technical lead, integrating various datasets to develop conceptual three-dimensional geothermal resource models. This individual will guide prospect ranking, exploration strategy, drilling recommendations, wellsite geology, and resource assessment in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary team. Additional responsibilities include maintaining a positive corporate culture, promoting a safe and creative work environment, and identifying external collaboration opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in geology, geological engineering, geophysics, earth sciences, or a related discipline required.
10+ years of relevant geoscience experience in geothermal, oil and gas, mining, or other subsurface resource industries preferred.
Demonstrated experience leading exploration or subsurface evaluation programs from concept through drilling or appraisal.
Strong technical understanding of geothermal systems, structural geology, reservoir geology, fracture systems, heat flow, and subsurface uncertainty analysis.
Working knowledge of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) concepts and geothermal reservoir development workflows.
Ability to integrate geologic, geophysical, thermal, well, and drilling datasets into conceptual and three-dimensional resource models.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to operate independently while maintaining effective collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, and brief senior leadership on geothermal exploration risks, recommendations, and investment decisions.
Comfortable operating within a startup or high-growth environment with evolving priorities.
Proficiency with GIS and geomodeling software such as ArcGIS, QGIS, Leapfrog, Petrel, EarthVision, GOCAD, or similar platforms.
Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.

Nice To Haves

Master’s or Ph.D. in geology, geophysics, geothermal engineering, or related field preferred.
Experience supporting drilling operations, well planning, wellsite geology, or subsurface operational activities preferred.
Experience interpreting thermal datasets, well logs, structural geology, and fracture characterization data preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead geothermal exploration strategy across selected lease areas and portfolio growth opportunities supporting Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) development.
Develop geothermal play concepts and prospect-ranking frameworks integrating resource potential, thermal regime, permeability, structural setting, stress state, infrastructure, permitting, and development risk.
Identify and evaluate geothermal growth opportunities through lease-area screening, prospect generation, land acquisition support, and technical diligence activities.
Design and execute stage-gated geothermal exploration programs, including desktop studies, geologic mapping, geophysical acquisition, geochemical sampling, temperature-gradient assessment, exploration drilling, and appraisal planning.
Develop exploration scopes, schedules, budgets, data-acquisition plans, and decision criteria for advancing, pausing, or exiting exploration programs.
Lead technical evaluation of geothermal leases from initial screening through drilling readiness.
Define lease-specific exploration objectives, technical risks, subsurface uncertainties, resource potential, and success criteria for EGS development.
Design integrated exploration campaigns that may include geologic mapping, structural analysis, geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling, temperature-gradient drilling, slim-hole programs, exploration wells, and appraisal wells.
Incorporate risk assessment, uncertainty analysis, contingency planning, and stage-gate decision logic into exploration program design.
Coordinate exploration campaign execution with drilling, completions, reservoir engineering, land, permitting, environmental, development, and HSE teams.
Lead geological support activities for geothermal exploration, appraisal, and drilling operations.
Oversee wellsite geology activities including mudlogging, cuttings and core description, wireline and image-log interpretation, geo-steering support, drilling data capture, and real-time geologic interpretation.
Perform offset well analysis to support geologic prognoses, well planning, drilling hazard identification, and wellbore stability evaluations.
Evaluate subsurface stress state using image logs, structural data, seismicity data, drilling observations, and geomechanical inputs.
Characterize fracture systems, structural controls, and permeability indicators relevant to geothermal reservoir performance and EGS stimulation design.
Provide technical recommendations related to logging programs, casing points, coring, well trajectories, and other geologic decisions during drilling operations.
Partner with reservoir engineers, geophysicists, and data scientists to support geothermal reservoir conceptual models and pre-development reservoir evaluations.
Support resource assessment, reserve estimation, asset management, investment analysis, and technical diligence activities for geothermal opportunities.
Ensure geological interpretations support EGS development planning, reservoir stimulation strategy, well placement, and long-term resource development decisions.
Communicate geothermal exploration results, technical risks, subsurface uncertainties, and development recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and quality oversight for geologists, consultants, contractors, and field personnel.
Establish exploration workflows, data standards, reporting practices, prospect review processes, and technical assurance procedures supporting geothermal exploration activities.
Manage external consultants and service providers supporting geologic mapping, geophysics, geochemistry, logging, modeling, and drilling operations.
Serve as a visible field safety leader by supporting HSE initiatives, participating in site safety reviews, and reinforcing safe operational practices.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, scientific rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Performs other related duties as assigned.