Field Operations Director - Mid-Atlantic

Location: DC Metro Area (DC, MD and VA)

Team: Field Operations

Reports to: VP of Drilling

Type: Full-time (exempt)

About the Job

The Regional Field Ops Director will lead the expansion and optimization of Dandelion's geothermal field operations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Reporting to the VP of Drilling, this role is primarily an operational management and logistics leadership position — combining entrepreneurial ambition, strategic planning, team development, and day-to-day field execution. The Director will manage crews, equipment, schedules, and vendor relationships across the full installation lifecycle to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective operations while establishing Dandelion's presence in the East geothermal market.

Responsibilities

• Bring an entrepreneurial spirit to the market, making key decisions around team building, equipment planning, and operational strategies.

• Build and grow a world-class geothermal field operations team in the region, including drilling crews and ground loop installation crews.

• Lead and manage multiple field teams and support personnel to ensure safe, efficient execution of operations.

• Oversee field operations across the full ground loop installation scope, ensuring crews are coordinated, equipped, and executing efficiently from mobilization through job close-out.

• Manage equipment selection, fleet utilization, logistics, and vendor coordination to maximize productivity and minimize downtime.

• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety standards, environmental regulations, and project specifications.

• Implement best practices and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity, reduce downtime, and improve profitability across all field operations.

• Develop and manage budgets, schedules, and performance metrics; provide regular reporting to senior management.

• Mentor and coach team members; foster a culture of safety, innovation, and professional development.

• Stay up to date on industry trends, technological advancements, and regulatory developments, integrating relevant innovations into operations.

• Represent Dandelion in the region as a regional leader and ambassador.

You Will Thrive in This Role If You Have:

• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to navigate new markets and build teams from the ground up.

• Comfort working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with a proactive, solutions-oriented approach.

• Passion for sustainability and mission-driven work.

• Curiosity, ownership, and a team-first mentality.

Must-Haves

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field preferred, or equivalent relevant experience.

• Minimum 8 years of experience in field operations, construction, logistics, utilities, or heavy equipment operations; drilling background a plus but not required.

• Strong operational knowledge of field crew management, logistics, site coordination, and project management in a multi-crew environment.

• Understanding of safety regulations, environmental compliance, and risk management practices in energy projects.

• Proficiency with project management systems, operational software, and data analysis tools.

• Ability to travel to project sites across the Mid-atlantic region (40%).

Bonus Points For:

• Experience in geothermal, water well, oil & gas, or other specialty drilling or underground installation environments.

• Technical familiarity with geothermal or subsurface installation processes; deep expertise in operations management, scheduling, and performance tracking.

• Experience building and leading teams in a new market or region.

• Familiarity with startup or high-growth environments.

• Familiarity with Maryland water well drilling regulations and permitting requirements.

About Dandelion

Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled—starting from (below) the ground up. As the nation’s leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, more affordable, and up to 4× more efficient than traditional HVAC. Our focus is on large, enterprise deployments with major homebuilders, helping bring geothermal to more homes, faster.

Backed by Google Ventures (GV) and other top tech investors, our end-to-end geothermal solution is challenging the status quo in residential heating and cooling. We’re scaling strategically and intentionally to meet growing demand. Our mission is simple and bold: to make geothermal the default choice for heating and cooling in the U.S.

Why Dandelion

Dandelion Energy is at the forefront of the transition to clean, efficient home energy. Our team has delivered thousands of high-quality geothermal installations across the country, helped elevate geothermal heat pumps nationally, and played a meaningful role in advancing electrification-friendly policy at both the local and federal levels.

We’re a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team spanning hardware engineering, HVAC, drilling, solar finance, behavioral economics, and startup operations. Together, we’re building something complex, impactful, and designed to scale … work that directly shapes how homes are powered for decades to come.

At Dandelion, you’ll find a collaborative, fast-paced, and inclusive culture where curiosity, ownership, and cross-functional teamwork are core to how we operate. Our nationwide team is united by a shared commitment to sustainability and a belief that clean, affordable heating and cooling should be the standard.

We’re driving a wholesale shift in how homes are heated and cooled. Join us.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical (including mental health), dental, vision, and pet insurance

• 401(k) plan

• Commuter benefits

• Generous paid sick leave, vacation, and parental leave

• Learning & development support, including on-the-job training and virtual courses

• Pet insurance