HDD Superintendent

HDD Superintendent / Site Manager (Heavy Rigs)

Role Overview
You will be responsible for the safe, efficient delivery of horizontal directional drilling (HDD) works on heavy/maxi rigs, leading site teams and ensuring installations of underground utility/cable ducts, conduits and associated infrastructure meet specification, programme and quality requirements. This is a senior on-site leadership role for long-term works, supporting major utilities/energy transition projects.

Duties and Responsibilities
Planning & Preparation: Lead the preparation of HDD work sites including site surveys, route reviews, access planning, setup sequencing, and coordination of plant, materials and personnel.
Site Leadership: Supervise and coordinate drilling crews, locators/steering, pipe-side/rig hands, mud/fluid teams and subcontractors to deliver works safely and on programme.
Heavy Rig Operations Oversight: Provide technical and operational oversight of heavy spreads (e.g., DD-1100RS / DD-440 class or equivalent) including setup, drilling execution, reaming and pullback, ensuring correct procedures and discipline on the spread.
Directional Drilling Execution: Ensure HDD operations are carried out to project specifications, including bore path adherence, obstacle avoidance, utilities detection/avoidance, and appropriate steering methods (e.g., gyro / wireline / locator systems as applicable).
Rod/Pipe Handling (Make/Break): Oversee safe rod/pipe handling operations and make/break procedures (“rotating rods on/off”) and ensure team competence and compliance with safe systems of work.
Monitoring & Control: Monitor drilling parameters and performance (torque, rotation speed, drilling fluid flow/pressure, returns) and instruct adjustments to maintain productivity, bore stability and quality.
Drilling Fluids & Environmental Control: Oversee drilling fluids strategy, mud mixing/recycling interface and environmental controls to minimise impact on watercourses/sensitive areas and ensure compliance with project requirements.
Quality Assurance: Ensure bore profiles, depth/alignment, product installation, pressure testing/QA checks and reinstatement meet quality standards and regulatory requirements.
Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate records including bore profiles, drilling logs, equipment and maintenance records, as-built information, daily reports and incident/near miss reporting.
Safety Compliance: Lead HSEQ performance on site, ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations, PPE requirements, permits, RAMS, lifting plans and safe working practices.
Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with client representatives, project management, engineering and planning teams to resolve constraints, manage interfaces and maintain delivery momentum.
Problem Solving: Troubleshoot technical issues related to equipment, ground conditions, tooling selection, steering/returns, and implement solutions to minimise downtime and delays.
Team Development: Coach and develop crew capability, competence standards and discipline to improve performance, safety and retention.

Skills and Experience
Experience: Demonstrable experience leading HDD delivery as a Superintendent/Site Manager/Senior Supervisor, ideally on heavy/maxi rigs and complex crossings.
Technical HDD Competence: Strong understanding of full HDD scope including pilot bore, reaming, pullback, steering methods, drilling parameters, tooling and bore stability.
Heavy Rig Familiarity: Experience on heavy/maxi rigs (e.g., DD-1100RS / DD-440 class or equivalent heavy spreads) and comfort managing rod/pipe handling operations and spread discipline.
Safety Awareness: Strong awareness of HSEQ regulations, hazard identification, risk assessment and safe working practices in utilities/energy transition/civils environments.
Problem-Solving Skills: Excellent problem-solving ability to diagnose technical issues, prevent downtime and maintain programme.
Communication Skills: Effective communication with crews, supervisors, client reps and stakeholders; clear reporting.
Attention to Detail: Strong attention to detail in interpreting plans, recording parameters and maintaining quality.
Driving License: A valid driving licence is preferred due to site travel requirements.
Flexibility: Willingness to work flexible hours/rotations to meet project deadlines.
Training/Certification (Preferred): Relevant supervisory/HSEQ credentials (e.g., SMSTS/SSSTS) and plant/trenchless qualifications where applicable.