Project Geophysicist (field work)

Based in Richmond, BC, Ideon Technologies uses the energy from supernova explosions to image down to 1km beneath the Earth’s surface. A spin-off from TRIUMF (Canada’s particle physics lab), Ideon is a world pioneer in cosmic-ray muon tomography. The team developed a subsurface intelligence platform that integrates proprietary detectors, imaging systems, inversion technologies, and artificial intelligence to provide x-ray-like visibility underground. By transforming muon data into reliable 3D density maps, Ideon helps geologists identify, characterize, and monitor mineral deposits with confidence. This reduces risk and cost of traditional methods, while saving time, optimizing return, and minimizing environmental impact across the mining value chain. In turn, this is helping accelerate the world’s transition to low- impact mining and transform how companies find the critical minerals required to power the global shift to clean energy.

The Role

We are seeking a Project Geophysicist* to join our growing deployments team and play a direct role in bringing customer projects to fruition. You will report to the Director, Operations and work collaboratively with fellow Project Geophysicists and Deployment Specialists as well as operations, hardware, geosciences, and software team members, while also interacting directly with Ideon customers.

You will ensure each field deployment of Ideon subsurface intelligence sensors is well planned and executed successfully to help deliver impactful geoscience results for our customers. Your knowledge of a broad range of geophysics techniques, geology, and mineral exploration challenges will be key to articulating the value of muon tomography and understanding how to deploy it most effectively.

Our ideal teammate is an experienced fieldwork specialist who can provide guidance to deployments and take a hands-on approach to ensuring each deployment is executed safely, correctly, and on time. And while you are at home in an office environment, you thrive on field deployments – no matter how extreme or remote the conditions. You are someone who can improvise on the ground to make things work in unexpected or complex situations, occasionally with limited resources at hand (though we do plan ahead to anticipate obstacles that may come up).

With a strong respect for safety influencing your work, you’ll also contribute to the team by applying your past experience and injecting fresh perspectives to improve our field operations. You will focus on the following activities:

• Travel to customer mine sites primarily throughout North America – though there may occasionally be fieldwork in other regions – to install, remove, and troubleshoot our subsurface imaging detectors.
• Deploying and commissioning instruments on land and underground.
• Project planning and ownership for all field deployment-related activities, including packing, shipping, logistics, budgeting, and resourcing.
• Repairing and maintaining geophysical instruments and related equipment.
• Contributing to project meetings to ensure assigned projects move forward on time, within budget, and with excellent results for our customers.
• Educating customers about our technology, operational planning and deployment logistics, and safety requirements.
• Acting as the face of Ideon on customer projects, communicating effectively and proactively to internal and external stakeholders about projects challenges and wins.
• Developing, understanding, and upholding standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Ensuring high quality data collection of geophysical data collection; monitoring data acquisition and processing, troubleshooting, and reporting on data collection.
• Completing some administrative work including reporting and scheduling.

Priorities in the first few months will include:

1. Thoroughly understanding our equipment terminology and technology – what it can do, its limitations, and its potential
2. Familiarizing yourself with our field operating procedures and making suggestions for improvement
3. Getting up to date on health and safety certificates and customer site inductions i.e. first aid, WHMIS, basic underground common core, rigging, working at heights, elevated work platform, wireline handling
4. Playing an active role in developing and maintaining our high-level on-site field culture

* Title is dependent on the successful candidate’s status with Engineers & Geoscientist of BC (EGBC)

Qualifications

Must haves – You’ll need the following to move forward in the hiring process (and be successful in the role).

• Degree in geophysics, geology, or mine engineering, or related field
• 5+ years of fieldwork experience deploying tech equipment on surface and/or in underground mines
• Experience project managing deployments including logistics, equipment planning, contractor engagement, and other requirements as needed based on each unique site
• Health and safety champion with a consistent record of adhering to health and safety protocols; trained for safety at mine sites and remote locations; willing to undergo specific client training as required; able to obtain a pre-employment medical assessment if required by customers
• Technically competent and adaptable, with hands-on experience operating and repairing small equipment and electronics; some experience working with hand tools and around machinery
• Valid passport with no travel restrictions; willing and able to travel internationally
• Able to work in the United States i.e. eligible for a non-immigrant NAFTA (TN) visa or a US citizen
• Valid driver’s license; trailering experience is an asset
• Physically able to work in remote and underground locations, occasionally in extreme heat or cold, and lift/carry up to 50 pounds
• Well-developed communication skills in English at a fluent or professional level; able to be assertive and respectful

We also look for the following from all new Ideon team members:

• Experience with or excitement about working in a tech scale-up; happy to wear a few hats and learn on the fly
• A can-do attitude and creative solutioning mindset
• Willingness to learn, be adaptable, and take initiative in an ever-evolving environment
• Able to work well under pressure and to meet scheduled deadlines
• Able to uncover and present options for improvement and streamlining
• Solid teamwork skills; you’ll jump in to help where you can
• Great interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with colleagues, customers, and external stakeholders
• Interest in or knowledge of the mining industry or geosciences field
• Able to add something “extra” to our culture beyond the work that you do (maybe you like to wow people with your home-baked goods, display wicked improv skills, organize and play in post-work sports games, or educate us on hydroponic gardening)

Nice-to-haves – While it would be nice to if you had some of the below, we’re happy to train, coach and share our experience.

• Some experience with quality assurance and quality control of geophysical data
• Geoscientist-in-training (GIT) or professional geoscientist registration (i.e. P.Geo) or able to obtain via Engineers & Geoscientists of BC (EGBC) or equivalent

Job Requirements

Location: Our office is located at #150 - 4611 Viking Way, just off the No. 6 Road exit on the east-west connector in Richmond, BC, Canada. Lots of free parking is available and a bus stop is one block away.

Ideon is a hybrid workplace, with some roles needing to work fully in office for obvious reasons (it’s tricky to manufacture from home!). This is a hybrid role. We love seeing our employees in the office a few times a week (2-3 days depending on team needs); you’re welcome to work from home the remainder of the week or come into the office all 5 days if that’s your preference. Our “be an adult” approach means you have the flexibility to determine your in-office schedule while factoring in the impact of face-to-face connection and communicating with your leader and teammates.

Travel and field work: Approximately 25-50% of the time, depending on project deliverables, typically 1-2 weeks at a time.

Hours of work: When not on field deployments, 8 hours/day, Monday to Friday with typical working hours 9AM-5PM-ish pacific time; some employees shift slightly earlier or later based on business and personal needs. You may occasionally be asked to be flexible with your hours due to business requirements. While on field deployments, days are often longer with earlier start times, typically 7AM local time.

What We Offer

Salary: The annual salary range for this role, in Canadian dollars, is $85,000 - $105,000.

Ideon’s salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Vancouver, BC, Canada is the market we have benchmarked against. The range reflects the minimum and maximum new employee salary. It is not typical for a new employee to be hired at the top of the range; as experienced as someone may be they likely won’t have the directly applicable experience unique to working at Ideon. In exceptional circumstances, though, where a candidate has the knowledge, skills, and experience to far exceed those needed for the position, we could consider compensating at the top of the range. In the application process you will be asked to provide your salary expectations. If you move forward in the hiring process, in our initial conversation we’ll also clarify expectations and provide additional info on what Ideon’s total compensation package includes.

• This role is also eligible for field day premiums.
• Early equity option allocations upon hire plus the opportunity to earn performance-based option allocations annually.
• Accreditation and tuition support.
• Extended health and dental benefits, an employee assistance program, and a health/wellness spending account.
• An annual paid closure between the Christmas and New Year’s stat holidays, in addition to vacation time.
• Parental leave top-up.
• Casual dress – we like our jeans and hoodies.
• While we work hard we also sprinkle social events and learning opportunities into our days.
• Tasty snacks in our office!