CONTROL SYSTEM / ACTUATION / HYDRAULICS ENGINEER

GA Drilling is developing next generation drilling technologies to unlock geothermal energy anywhere on Earth. Our mission is to make geothermal a globally scalable, baseload source of clean power by enabling access to hard, hot rock at depths and temperatures that conventional drilling cannot reach economically. Our work demands mastery across all facets of engineering—electronics, hydraulics, mechanics, systems, and control—and project management to create products that can survive and perform in harsh, high-temperature, high-load downhole conditions.

Our technologies include smart downhole anchoring and drive systems that control the drilling process at the bit, plasma-based rock-destruction systems that fracture rock ahead of the drill bit, and innovative reeled drillstrings that redefine how hard-rock wells are constructed. These innovations—whether deployed individually or integrated into a groundbreaking autonomous reeled drilling system—enable hard-rock wells to be drilled further, faster, and safer than conventional technologies.

With engineering teams in the USA, Brazil, the UK, and across Europe, and strong collaboration with leading operators, GA Drilling is progressing rapidly toward commercial deployment of these technologies. We are looking for a highly specialized Control and Hydraulics Engineer to drive the design, simulation, and control of the actuation systems integral to our downhole tools. You can be based at our UK (Gloucester) or USA (Houston, TX) office.

• Design and develop hydraulic and actuation systems for downhole tools, from initial requirements definition and conceptual schematic to analysis and simulation.
• Conduct calculations and simulations to validate system performance and predict fluid behavior under various downhole conditions, including high pressure and temperature.
• Develop high-fidelity, multi-domain (hydraulic, mechanical, control) dynamic models of the actuation system using tools like Simscape and MATLAB/Simulink.
• Analyze the impact of varying drilling fluid properties (viscosity, density, temperature) on hydraulic performance and response time.
• Collaborate with firmware engineers on the implementation, optimization, and real-time testing of control algorithms on embedded processors.
• Define and execute rigorous component and system-level validation plans, including Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) simulation and extreme environmental testing (e.g., flow loop, hot box).
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) on field failures related to hydraulics, control stability, or actuation performance, driving effective and timely design modifications.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, including design reports, FMEAs, and qualification procedures.

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience: 7+ years of professional experience in control systems, dynamic modeling, and hydraulic design, with a minimum of 3 years directly related to Downhole Tools (RSS, MWD, or similar).
• Expertise in MATLAB/Simulink for modeling and control design.
• Deep understanding of electro-hydraulic servo systems and fluid power principles.
• Proven ability to design for extreme environments (HPHT, shock, and vibration).
• Familiarity with downhole sealing technology and fluid compensation systems.
• Experience with advanced control techniques (e.g., optimal control, non-linear control).

• Opportunity to develop unique and innovative technological solutions which have the potential to change the world.
• The satisfaction of solving challenges associated with making ultra-deep geothermal energy a commercial reality.
• Be part of an experienced, global and highly motivated team.
• Collaborate with the world’s top industry players.
• Competitive industry compensation & benefits.