Senior Geologist

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Diamondback Energy is seeking a Senior Geoscientist to reduce subsurface-driven drilling and completions risk across its Permian Basin development program. This senior technical contributor will integrate geological, petrophysical, geomechanical and operational data to characterize uncertainty, forecast hazards and improve capital efficiency. Working closely with Drilling, Completions, Asset Development and Reservoir Engineering, the role will evaluate execution risks and alternatives while honoring development design intent. Responsibilities span pre-drill planning, well execution, root cause analysis and post-well evaluation. The successful candidate will independently challenge assumptions, translate technical findings into practical recommendations and strengthen organizational capability through mentorship and repeatable analytical workflows.

 

Job Responsibilities:

Include but are not limited to

•  Develop, calibrate and apply wellbore stability and geomechanical models, incorporating in-situ stress, pore pressure and rock properties to inform trajectory design, mud weight windows and casing decisions.

• Develop practical, predictive workflows integrating subsurface and drilling performance data to identify hazards, quantify uncertainty where defensible and evaluate operational consequences and mitigation options.

• Lead multidisciplinary root cause analyses of drilling and completions irregularities, distinguish subsurface and operational contributors and translate findings into actionable mitigations and improved planning standards.

• Prepare quantitative pre-drill risk assessments using structural and stratigraphic interpretations, petrophysical data, offset performance and geomechanical models to define target windows, characterize hazards and communicate uncertainty and mitigations.

• Evaluate landing-zone and target-design alternatives with Asset Development and Reservoir Engineering, quantifying geological and execution risks while honoring development objectives and recommending technically defensible strategies.

• Recommend fit-for-purpose operational data acquisition (e.g., LWD/MWD, borehole imaging, formation pressure and leak-off tests, core and rock mechanics testing) supported by technical and cost-benefit justification.

• Collaborate with geoscience, reservoir, drilling and completions disciplines to integrate subsurface interpretations, reservoir dynamics and operational performance into better-informed decisions.

• Independently test interpretations and operational assumptions; challenge established approaches when warranted by evidence and help standardize scalable technical workflows and practices.

• Provide backup geosteering and real-time geological support during critical operational situations as needed.

• Elevate organizational geoscience capability through mentorship, technical peer review, knowledge transfer and development of repeatable analytical methods.

 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology or related Geoscience discipline required
• Minimum five (5) years of oil and gas geoscience experience required

• Strong grounding in subsurface interpretation and the ability to develop or critically evaluate wellbore stability models, pore pressure and fracture gradients, in-situ stress and rock mechanical properties.

• Ability to integrate complex datasets, apply quantitative reasoning and develop or learn predictive analytical methods; sound judgment when data do not support precise estimates.

• Strong diagnostic problem-solving skills and ability to turn root cause findings into practical operational recommendations.

• Ability to learn new tools and workflows essential.

• Working knowledge of drilling and completions operations and credibility collaborating with engineers and rig-site personnel.

• Ability to challenge assumptions constructively, collaborate across disciplines and communicate technical findings to technical and management audiences.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Geology, Geophysics or related geoscience discipline preferred.

• Experience in operational geomechanics, integrated subsurface risk assessment or multidisciplinary drilling and completions optimization valued; demonstrated technical capability and adaptability matter more than tenure alone.

• Proficiency in IP (Interactive Petrophysics) and Kingdom preferred; StarSteer experience beneficial.

• Familiarity with the Permian Basin (Midland and/or Delaware Basins) strongly preferred.

• Evidence of technical mentorship, peer review or informal leadership preferred.

Diamondback is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Diamondback provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, color, age, religion, veteran or disability status, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Diamondback participates in E-Verify. Learn more about E-Verify.