Principal Geologist (Subsea Geothermal)

Location: Seattle, WA, United States. Work arrangement: On-site. The role includes fieldwork and travel to deployment sites along oceanic ridges.

Salary: $160,000–$200,000 per year, plus equity.

Company

hirify.global is a pre-revenue startup developing modular subsea geothermal power plants to convert ocean-floor thermal resources into baseload power.

What you will do

• Lead geological site assessment and characterization for subsea geothermal installations along mid-ocean ridges and hydrothermal systems.
• Develop drilling strategies, wellbore designs, and completion approaches for subsea geothermal energy extraction.
• Interpret seismic, magnetic, bathymetric, well-log, and subsurface imaging data to identify geological structures and thermal anomalies.
• Design and oversee geological sampling programs using ROVs, submersibles, and specialized drilling equipment.
• Collaborate with marine operations teams on subsea drilling campaigns, field operations, and data collection.
• Assess geological risks, build reservoir models, and support environmental impact assessments and regulatory permitting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Geology, Petroleum Engineering, or a related discipline; an MS or PhD is preferred.
• Direct drilling operations experience in oil and gas, geothermal systems, or deep-water wells, including experience with wells deeper than 2,000 feet.
• Experience managing drilling projects with cumulative budgets of $10 million–$100 million or more and controlling project costs.
• At least 4 years of experience in the subsurface fluid resource sector, with operator experience strongly preferred.
• Experience interpreting geophysical data, well logs, and other subsurface geological information.
• Ability to make critical geological decisions with incomplete data and work effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.

Nice to have

• Offshore geoscience experience on research vessels or drilling platforms.
• ROV/AUV operations and subsea geological sampling experience.
• Knowledge of reservoir engineering, geothermal fluid dynamics, seafloor drilling systems, structural geology, tectonics, or volcanology.
• Experience with geological risk assessment for offshore energy projects.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment with health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Flexible PTO and 12 paid company holidays.
• Meaningful equity participation for full-time employees.
• Travel and hands-on participation in sea trials and deployment operations with oceanographic institutions.
• Company-sponsored recreational dive certification, access to a company boat, free meals, and snacks.