Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Drilling Engineer
at KoBold Metals
🏢 About KoBold Metals
KoBold Metals is a trailblazer in using artificial intelligence to discover critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. By combining cutting-edge machine learning with traditional exploration, they aim to accelerate the shift to electrification and combat climate change. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven company at the forefront of sustainable resource discovery.
About This Role
As a Senior Drilling Engineer at KoBold, you will design and oversee drilling programs across a global portfolio, directly impacting the discovery of metals needed for batteries and renewable energy. This role is crucial for translating AI-driven exploration targets into cost-effective, safe, and environmentally responsible drilling operations, making you a key player in the green energy revolution.
💡 A Day in the Life
Start your day reviewing AI-generated drilling targets and collaborating with geologists to refine hole designs. Mid-morning, you'll analyze cost estimates and schedules for a new program in Africa, then mentor a junior engineer on risk assessment. Afternoon might involve a call with a drilling contractor about rig specifications, followed by updating procurement strategies. Your day ends with compliance checks and planning for the next field visit.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who KoBold Metals Is Looking For
- -
- Y
- o
- u
- h
- a
- v
- e
- 7
- +
- y
- e
- a
- r
- s
- o
- f
- d
- r
- i
- l
- l
- i
- n
- g
- e
- n
- g
- i
- n
- e
- e
- r
- i
- n
- g
- e
- x
- p
- e
- r
- i
- e
- n
- c
- e
- ,
- w
- i
- t
- h
- d
- e
- e
- p
- e
- x
- p
- e
- r
- t
- i
- s
- e
- i
- n
- d
- i
- a
- m
- o
- n
- d
- c
- o
- r
- e
- d
- r
- i
- l
- l
- i
- n
- g
- a
- n
- d
- h
- e
- l
- i
- c
- o
- p
- t
- e
- r
- -
- s
- u
- p
- p
- o
- r
- t
- e
- d
- e
- x
- p
- l
- o
- r
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- i
- n
- r
- e
- m
- o
- t
- e
- e
- n
- v
- i
- r
- o
- n
- m
- e
- n
- t
- s
- .
- -
- Y
- o
- u
- a
- r
- e
- p
- r
- o
- f
- i
- c
- i
- e
- n
- t
- i
- n
- h
- o
- l
- e
- d
- e
- s
- i
- g
- n
- a
- n
- d
- a
- n
- a
- l
- y
- s
- i
- s
- s
- o
- f
- t
- w
- a
- r
- e
- ,
- a
- n
- d
- p
- o
- s
- s
- e
- s
- s
- s
- t
- r
- o
- n
- g
- s
- k
- i
- l
- l
- s
- i
- n
- c
- o
- s
- t
- e
- s
- t
- i
- m
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- ,
- s
- c
- h
- e
- d
- u
- l
- i
- n
- g
- ,
- a
- n
- d
- r
- i
- s
- k
- a
- s
- s
- e
- s
- s
- m
- e
- n
- t
- .
- -
- Y
- o
- u
- t
- h
- r
- i
- v
- e
- o
- n
- m
- e
- n
- t
- o
- r
- i
- n
- g
- j
- u
- n
- i
- o
- r
- e
- n
- g
- i
- n
- e
- e
- r
- s
- a
- n
- d
- e
- n
- s
- u
- r
- i
- n
- g
- s
- t
- r
- i
- c
- t
- c
- o
- m
- p
- l
- i
- a
- n
- c
- e
- w
- i
- t
- h
- r
- e
- g
- u
- l
- a
- t
- o
- r
- y
- a
- n
- d
- e
- n
- v
- i
- r
- o
- n
- m
- e
- n
- t
- a
- l
- s
- t
- a
- n
- d
- a
- r
- d
- s
- .
- -
- Y
- o
- u
- a
- r
- e
- c
- o
- m
- f
- o
- r
- t
- a
- b
- l
- e
- w
- i
- t
- h
- e
- x
- t
- e
- n
- d
- e
- d
- r
- e
- m
- o
- t
- e
- t
- r
- a
- v
- e
- l
- a
- n
- d
- h
- a
- v
- e
- a
- p
- r
- o
- b
- l
- e
- m
- -
- s
- o
- l
- v
- i
- n
- g
- m
- i
- n
- d
- s
- e
- t
- t
- a
- i
- l
- o
- r
- e
- d
- t
- o
- c
- o
- m
- p
- l
- e
- x
- e
- x
- p
- l
- o
- r
- a
- t
- i
- o
- n
- c
- h
- a
- l
- l
- e
- n
- g
- e
- s
- .
📝 Tips for Applying to KoBold Metals
Highlight specific examples of designing drilling programs for remote, helicopter-supported operations, emphasizing cost savings and risk mitigation.
Showcase your experience with AI or data-driven decision-making in drilling, even if informal, to align with KoBold's tech-forward culture.
Tailor your resume to emphasize global exploration portfolio management, not just domestic projects.
Include metrics: e.g., 'Reduced drilling costs by 15% through optimized hole design' or 'Mentored 3 junior engineers to lead their own programs.'
Research KoBold's discovery of the Kabanga nickel deposit and mention how your skills could accelerate similar breakthroughs.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
Emphasize your passion for using technology to combat climate change, your experience with remote exploration drilling, and your ability to integrate AI-driven insights into operational planning. Highlight specific projects where you improved efficiency or safety in drilling programs. Stress your mentoring philosophy and commitment to environmental compliance.
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Read about KoBold's proprietary AI platform and how it integrates with drilling operations (e.g., their work in Zambia and Canada).
- → Understand the critical minerals landscape: why cobalt, nickel, and lithium are vital for electrification.
- → Familiarize yourself with KoBold's leadership team and their backgrounds in AI and mining.
- → Review recent news about KoBold's discoveries and partnerships (e.g., with Bill Gates' Breakthrough Energy Ventures).
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't mention AI or climate change—KoBold is mission-driven.
- Overlooking the remote work requirement: emphasize your comfort with extended field assignments.
- Failing to demonstrate specific knowledge of diamond core drilling and helicopter logistics—this is core to the role.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!