Geotechnical Driller

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-75truck-mounted rig Diedrich D-50track 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 coring Install NW/HW casing as needed and maintain circulation Perform Shelby tube sampling on cohesive soils Complete borings to required depths (5ft–100ft+) in varied geologies Troubleshoot drilling issues (water loss, refusal, circulation loss, broken tooling, etc.) Maintain a clean, safe, and professional jobsite Safety & Compliance Follow all company and client safety protocols Conduct daily JHAs and equipment inspections Ensure proper PPE usage and safe operation of all equipment Crew Leadership Direct a helper and ensure proper training Communicate clearly with clients, engineers, and project managers Track daily footage, samples, and materials Equipment Care Perform routine maintenance on rigs, pumps, and tooling Report mechanical issues promptly Keep rig decks organized and samples labeled correctly Qualifications 1–3+ years geotechnical or environmental drilling experience preferred Experience with CME or Diedrich rigs strongly preferred Ability to lift 50–80 lbs repeatedly Willingness to travel regionally and work outdoors in all conditions Valid driver’s license (CDL a plus) Ability to pass drug screen and background check Strong problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude What We Offer Competitive hourly pay + overtime Paid per diem on all overnight travel Health insurance support Consistent weekly work Supportive team, family-run culture Opportunities to grow into lead driller or operations roles To apply, send your resume to sramirez@totaldepthdrilling.com