GA Drilling is expanding its R&D team in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, seeking highly motivated engineers to develop cutting-edge drilling technologies for offshore deepwater applications. This role focuses on innovation, new product development, and testing, rather than operations or maintenance.

We are hiring across multiple disciplines to support key technology areas, including downhole power generation, coiled tubing/drillstring development, subsea and high-voltage electronics, and advanced testing/integration systems. Candidates should have a strong background in research and development (R&D), system design, and engineering analysis, with hands-on experience in product development for high-reliability environments.

Areas of Expertise we are looking for:

• Mechanical Engineering: Expertise in drilling motor technology, downhole turbines, or subsea pumps for power generation projects; coiled tubing/drillstring development; experience with manufacturing, machining, and supplier coordination.
• Mechanical Design/Drafting: Strong skills in creating manufacturing drawings for complex drilling and subsea components, collaborating with manufacturers and suppliers.
• Integration/Test Engineering: Mechanical or electrical/electronics-focused engineers with experience in downhole or subsea technologies, test equipment design, sensor integration, and data acquisition.
• Electrical Engineering:
  • Plasma/HV Electronics - High-voltage systems for plasma-based drilling, relevant experience from military, defense, pulsed power, lasers, or nuclear sectors preferred.
  • Subsea/Downhole Electronics - Electronics/hardware for AnchorBIT technology, including high-power electrics, subsea electronics, and embedded systems.
• Software/Firmware/Controls Engineering:
  • Firmware Development - High-reliability firmware for oil & gas applications, including testing, validation, and system integration.
  • Controls Engineering - Experience with test equipment design, PLC programming, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing, and real-time control systems. Knowledge of MATLAB, dSPACE, SPEEDGOAT for industrial control applications is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver R&D projects for GA Drilling’s advanced technologies, ensuring alignment with technical specifications, timelines, and budgets
• Design, develop, analyze, test, and commercialize innovative drilling tools and systems for offshore deepwater applications
• Establish and implement processes, tools, and workflows that drive technical excellence and innovation in product development
• Collaborate with GA Drilling’s global engineering centers, leadership teams, and external suppliers to ensure seamless integration and project execution
• Provide technical risk management and ensure compliance with HSEQ standards and local regulatory requirements
• Generate high-quality engineering documentation, including drawings, calculations, and reports, to support product development and commercialization
• Contribute to a positive and proactive team culture that fosters innovation and collaboration.
• Present technical advancements to academia and industry at conferences to enhance GA Drilling’s reputation as a technology leader

GA Drilling is expanding its presence in Brazil to address the region’s unique energy challenges. With a focus on offshore and deepwater applications, the Brazilian team is playing a critical role in developing advanced drilling systems tailored to the needs of this dynamic market. The company is actively collaborating with global partners and local operators to innovate cutting-edge solutions. Brazil’s strategic importance to GA Drilling underscores the commitment to integrating into the local ecosystem while bringing world-class technology to this vital energy hub.

At GA Drilling, you’ll work on transformational R&D projects, collaborating with global teams in Brazil, Europe, and the USA, and contributing to the future of both traditional and renewable energy technologies.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Controls)

• 5+ years of relevant experience in engineering design, analysis, testing, and deployment
• Experience in R&D environments preferred over operational, production, or maintenance roles
• Experience with downhole tools and systems is a plus but not mandatory
• Strong engineering fundamentals and ability to execute complex projects independently
• Familiarity with CAE tools such as Autodesk Inventor, Altium, Matlab & Simulink
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills