Geotechnical Driller – Total Depth Drilling (East Tennessee)
Location : Knoxville, TN + regional travel (TN, NC, VA, KY)
Employment Type : Full-time
Compensation : Competitive hourly rate + per diem + benefits
About Us
Total Depth Drilling, Inc. is a family-owned geotechnical drilling company serving engineering firms, DOTs, and infrastructure clients across the Southeast. We operate a small fleet, maintain a strong safety culture, and take pride in producing clean, reliable subsurface data for our clients.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Geotechnical Driller to operate and maintain our drilling equipment, lead a small crew, and perform high-quality subsurface investigations. The ideal candidate is dependable, safety-driven, and capable of running a jobsite with minimal oversight.
Equipment You’ll Operate
You must be comfortable operating or willing to learn the following Total Depth Drilling rigs and tools :
- CME-550X track rig
- CME-75 truck-mounted rig
- Diedrich D-50 track rig
- Automatic hammers
- NW and HW casing systems
- Solid stem and hollow stem augers
- Shelby tube samplers
- SPT sampling equipment
- Rock coring (NX / HQ)
Key Responsibilities
Drilling & Field Operations
Operate CME-550X, CME-75, and D-50 rigs for soil borings, SPT sampling, and rock coringInstall NW / HW casing as needed and maintain circulationPerform Shelby tube sampling on cohesive soilsComplete borings to required depths (5ft–100ft+) in varied geologiesTroubleshoot drilling issues (water loss, refusal, circulation loss, broken tooling, etc.)Maintain a clean, safe, and professional jobsiteSafety & Compliance
Follow all company and client safety protocolsConduct daily JHAs and equipment inspectionsEnsure proper PPE usage and safe operation of all equipmentCrew Leadership
Direct a helper and ensure proper trainingCommunicate clearly with clients, engineers, and project managersTrack daily footage, samples, and materialsEquipment Care
Perform routine maintenance on rigs, pumps, and toolingReport mechanical issues promptlyKeep rig decks organized and samples labeled correctlyQualifications
1–3+ years geotechnical or environmental drilling experience preferredExperience with CME or Diedrich rigs strongly preferredAbility to lift 50–80 lbs repeatedlyWillingness to travel regionally and work outdoors in all conditionsValid driver’s license (CDL a plus)Ability to pass drug screen and background checkStrong problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitudeWhat We Offer
Competitive hourly pay + overtimePaid per diem on all overnight travelHealth insurance supportConsistent weekly workSupportive team, family-run cultureOpportunities to grow into lead driller or operations rolesTo apply, send your resume to sramirez@totaldepthdrilling.com