Field Operations Lead

The posting, as KoBold Metals wrote it

Field Operations Lead

About the Company

In the coming decades, demand for critical minerals such as copper, lithium, and cobalt will continue to grow. These minerals are needed to build electric infrastructure, vehicles, data centers, and electronics. However, the mining industry is making 10x fewer discoveries per dollar spent on exploration compared to 30 years ago because the easy-to-find, near surface deposits have largely been discovered.

KoBold was founded to be the first AI native mineral exploration, mine development, and technology development company. Our goal is to turn mineral exploration into a repeatable science to discover the minerals the world needs—by integrating artificial intelligence, human intelligence, and new technology. Our multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, engineers, and geologists work together to build data systems, design new sensors, and establish industry-leading workflows to develop and test subsurface predictions on our exploration projects.

Our first discovery, Mingomba, is a high-grade copper deposit in Zambia, found after spending materially less than industry average. We are developing Mingomba with the same technical rigor that we apply to exploration. The Mingomba team brings together mine and processing engineers, geologists, data scientists, software engineers, and community, health & safety, construction, and operations specialists. By combining industry knowledge and cutting edge technology, we are developing Mingomba into a world class project that has safer and more predictable outcomes for ourselves, partners, and communities. It is expected to create thousands of good jobs for generations.

KoBold runs exploration programs in eight countries, all with the potential for another discovery.

KoBold is privately held; investors include institutional asset managers T. Rowe Price and Canada Pension Plan Investments; technology venture capitalists Andreessen Horowitz, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BOND Capital, Durable Capital, StepStone, and Standard Investments; and strategic natural resources companies BHP and Mitsubishi.

About the Role

In the role of Field Operations Lead, you will plan and execute our field activities across North America to meet our business objectives without causing harm to our people, our contractors and partners, or the communities and environments where we operate. You will report to our Field Operations Director North America & Europe and other members of the operations and exploration team. Your primary responsibility will be to serve as the leader of field operations for 1–3 projects per year across the United States and Canada.

Responsibilities

Plan

• Lead planning of complex exploration projects and moderate-scale development programs in North America, including drilling campaigns, electromagnetic surveys, and reconnaissance programs
• Lead 1–3 concurrent projects of varying size, complexity, and jurisdiction, with accountability for planning and exe

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skills are an asset for projects in Quebec or other francophone regions

What We Value

• Effective communication with team members across Geology, Data Science, HSE, Aviation, Legal, Community Relations, and Land and Permitting
• Perpetuating KoBold’s ethical standards through your own actions and in communicating with others
• Leading constructive field operational dialogue with colleagues; offering ideas freely and being willing to be wrong
• Receiving constructive and critical feedback well and providing constructive input and guidance to others
• Recognizing and elevating the team’s contributions, both in the field and to leadership, reinforcing a culture where strong work is visible and valued
• Interest in contributing broadly to the success of the company and eagerness to pitch in where needed

What to Expect

Joining KoBold means getting the opportunity for hands-on exposure to our exploration projects around the world. All employees are expected to travel to project sites, with a minimum of one week per year. Field-facing and technical roles spend significantly more time in the field.

KoBold Metals is an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity for people of any race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, age, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.

This position is a Full-Time Employee role.

The US base salary range for this full-time exempt position is $125,000 to $150,000 USD.

Location: Remote, Candidates can be located anywhere in the United States or Canada. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States or Canada.
Compensation ranges are listed in USD. If you are based outside the US, the range may not translate directly: US pay reflects a different market with different competitive dynamics, so we benchmark roles against the local market rather than converting the listed figure.