Technical Demonstration Lead (On-Site Representative)

About Deep Isolation

Deep Isolation is a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal, providing a safe and cost-effective solution to the world’s unresolved problem of how to dispose of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) using deep boreholes. Deep Isolation has government customers and prospects in the US, UK, EU, Asia, and the Middle East. Our growing team of employees and associates works remotely, meeting in person 3–4 times per year.

The company values scientific integrity, operational excellence, stakeholder engagement, and entrepreneurial spirit. Candidates will join a fast-paced, mission-driven start-up company transitioning into the public markets. This is an opportunity to work with a collaborative team on one of the world’s most important environmental challenges in a flexible and empowering culture emphasizing accountability, teamwork, and innovation.

Position Summary

Deep Isolation is seeking a Technical Demonstration Lead to serve as the company’s on-site representative to manage and lead our $20M Deep Borehole Demonstration Project – a full-scale, end-to-end, nonradioactive field test designed to validate Deep Isolation’s deep borehole disposal technology for nuclear waste, including drilling, emplacement, and retrieval of prototype canisters. This individual will provide technical oversight and project management throughout all phases of the project, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution in alignment with company objectives and deliverables.

This role will act as Deep Isolation’s primary field interface with drilling and engineering partners, coordinating daily site activities and ensuring adherence to technical, safety, and schedule requirements. The position requires strong project management, construction, leadership, and communication skills.  Drilling experience would be preferred.  The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering a high-visibility, first-of-its-kind demonstration central to Deep Isolation’s mission and strategic roadmap.

Core Functions

• Lead the $20M multi-year full-scale end-to-end Deep Borehole Demonstration Project. 
• Responsible for planning, budgeting, and delivering the Deep Borehole Demonstration Project on schedule and on budget. Oversee borehole construction, equipment procurement, demonstration operations, and integration of supply chain teams. Liaises with project partners and ensures technical quality. 
• Oversee project management across all internal teams and external partners, ensuring seamless coordination, accountability, and timely execution of all project activities.
• Serve as Deep Isolation’s on-site representative and technical lead during all phases of the Deep Borehole Demonstration.
• Oversee the project’s field operations, ensuring safe and compliant execution of drilling, construction, and testing activities in accordance with Company and project goals and objectives.
• Coordinate, monitor, and manage performance of drilling, engineering, and testing contractors, including progress tracking, safety meetings, and documentation of activities, issues, and lessons learned.
• Support integration of subsurface and surface handling operations during emplacement and retrieval demonstrations.
• Provide technical input on drilling design, well construction, and operational readiness reviews.
• Interface with the engineering, safety, and communications teams to align field activities with company objectives and public demonstration milestones.
• Support planning and execution of key public events.
• Ensure regulatory and safety compliance with partner and site requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of project management or construction management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-partner projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects to completion within budget and schedule constraints. 
• Proven ability to act as a site lead, safety-conscious representative for a technical organization.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Experience with field safety protocols, QA/QC documentation, and contractor oversight.
• Ability to work in the US immediately.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Direct involvement in drilling, well construction, or subsurface operations 
• Strong technical background in drilling, subsurface testing or nuclear operations. 
• Prior work with DOE, regulatory agencies, or similar oversight environments.
• Experience with borehole design, directional drilling, or deep well completions.
• Knowledge of digital field management tools or project data systems.

Education & Experience

• Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Geoscience, or related technical discipline.
• Preferred: Advanced degree or professional certification (e.g., PMP, PE) with demonstrated field leadership experience.

Other

• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote and field-based environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
• Ability to manage deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Texas to the demonstration site and periodically within the US and internationally.

Deep Isolation is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.