Quaise Energy jobs, judged for you, free

What they do

Quaise Energy develops superhot geothermal energy, which is heat from rock far below the surface. It drills to basement rock with a conventional rotary rig. Then high-power millimeter waves from a gyrotron vaporize the rock below. Quaise also develops power projects. Its first plant, Project Obsidian in Central Oregon, has a target of commercial operation by 2030.

What they value

• Bring clean geothermal energy to every community and nation.
• Use the workforce, assets, and supply chains of oil and gas.
• Put safety first in the laboratory and in the field.
• Accountability and scientific rigor.
• Collaboration between engineering disciplines.
• Continuous improvement.

Where they hire

Six of the eight open postings are in Houston, Texas, and two are in Denver, Colorado. The Sr. Controls Engineer role is fully onsite in Houston. The internship entry also names a Boston office for geology and research. Field roles travel to drilling sites. The postings say nothing about remote work, the right to work, or sponsorship.

Teams and roles

The board is small, and most of its roles are in engineering.

• RF engineering: an early-career Electromagnetics Engineer who designs, models, and tests high-power RF and millimeter-wave transmission systems. The work includes waveguide components, gyrotron sources, and simulation in HFSS, CST, COMSOL, or MATLAB.
• Controls and electronics: a Sr. Controls Engineer who writes PLC control software on WAGO and Siemens platforms and designs interlock and safety systems for high-voltage equipment. A Sr. Electronic Technician assembles, wires, and tests electronic systems and instrumentation.
• Mechanical: a Jr. Mechanical CAD Designer who makes 3D models and drawings in PTC Creo and helps with prototype builds.
• Resource and operations, in Denver: a Lead Reservoir Engineer who does reservoir design and fracture modeling for Enhanced Geothermal Systems. A Senior Drilling Engineer plans geothermal well construction programs and supports field operations.
• Business operations: a Payroll Manager who runs multi-state payroll and leads the move to Paycom.
• Internships: a standing entry for future internships in business, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering in Houston.

Each role's posting says that it has no formal people-management duties.

What they look for

The engineering roles require a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. The subsurface roles in Denver want experience from geothermal, oil and gas, mining, or other subsurface industries: five years or more for the reservoir role and eight or more for the drilling role. The controls role wants five years or more in controls, automation, or instrumentation. The Electromagnetics Engineer role takes zero to three years and prefers a PhD. The technician role requires a high school diploma and five years or more in electronics. The CAD designer needs an associate's degree or formal training. The Payroll Manager needs seven years or more of multi-state payroll.

The engineering and technician postings ask for hands-on work in the laboratory or the field. Most postings ask for written and verbal communication and attention to detail. Several ask for comfort in a high-growth environment. Most roles must be able to lift 20 pounds and travel between job sites. The postings do not describe the interview steps.