Lead Driller

Lead Driller

Date Posted: 2026-09-22

Location: Newcastle-under-Lyme, England

Country: GB

Contract Type: Any

Closing Date: 2026-12-22T07:01:54.403

Igne is growing and currently seeking an experienced Lead Driller to join our dedicated team, working on a variety of exciting projects across the UK. We are also open to applications from full drilling crews who are looking to make the move together.

As a Lead Driller, you will be responsible for organising equipment, operating drilling rigs, and managing sites for both domestic and commercial water well projects ensuring all work is delivered to technical specifications and in line with company procedures.

Due to the nature of the work, the role requires physically demanding tasks, including lifting, carrying, and handling equipment and materials in line with health and safety guidelines.

If you're looking to join an innovative, fast-paced, and committed team that's making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out drilling, construction, and installation of water supply boreholes


• Select all required equipment for each project


• Handle all site operations ensuring all work is carried out as safely as possible


• Maintain the rig and carry out routine maintenance


• Train assistant drillers to the required standards to enable them to operate a drilling rig and other plant equipment


• Transportation of drilling rig and specialist plant equipment


• Set up and operate the drilling rig and specialist plant equipment


• Maintain and carry out routine maintenance on equipment

Person Specification

Essential:

• Full UK driving licence (travel is a requirement)


• Knowledge of Health & Safety regulations


• Previous experience of operating Rotary drilling rigs


• Able to work within a high-pressured environment


• Clear communication skills (written and verbal)


• Willingness to work outdoors in all weathers and stay away from home as required

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 2 in Land Drilling


• Tele-Handler ticket

Salary & Benefits

• c£42,000


• 33 days holiday (including bank holidays)


• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay


• Company Pension, Life insurance (3x salary) & sick pay


• Health Cash Plan & medical cash back


• Annual leave buy and sell scheme


• Ongoing training and development


• Cycle to work, Green Vehicle & Home/Tech Scheme


• High Street Discounts & Long Service Awards

About Igne Group Limited

We are Igne Group Limited, a synergetic amalgamation of six companies, renowned within our respective fields, with over 350 years of combined experience - a one-stop shop for pre-and post-construction services. Igne's six service categories are ground investigation, testing, unexploded ordnance (UXO), specialist drilling, geothermal, and geo-environmental.

We are a Disability Confident Employer, and signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recruit talented individuals who care about making a positive difference. We want colleagues to bring their whole selves to work, so equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our culture and integral to our success.

We also want all colleagues to thrive, which is why we have trained and dedicated mental health first aiders across the organisation who are available to support employees whenever needed.

We believe in developing our talent, which is why at Igne you will have many opportunities for training and progression within your role.

As part of our commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, all successful candidates may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol screening process before employment commences. Employees are also subject to random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing during employment in accordance with our Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Igne is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application.

#s1-Gen

Igne is growing and currently seeking an experienced Lead Driller to join our dedicated team, working on a variety of exciting projects across the UK. We are also open to applications from full drilling crews who are looking to make the move together.As a Lead Driller, you will be responsible for organising equipment, operating drilling rigs, and managing sites for both domestic and commercial water well projects ensuring all work is delivered to technical specifications and in line with company procedures.Due to the nature of the work, the role requires physically demanding tasks, including lifting, carrying, and handling equipment and materials in line with health and safety guidelines.If you're looking to join an innovative, fast-paced, and committed team that's making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.Key ResponsibilitiesCarry out drilling, construction, and installation of water supply boreholesSelecting all required equipment for each projectHandle all site operations
ensuring all work is carried out as safely as possibleMaintain the rig and carry out routine maintenanceTrain assistant drillers to the required standards to enable them to operate a drilling rig and other plant equipmentTransportation of drilling rig and specialist plant equipmentSet up and operation of the drilling rig and specialist plant equipmentMaintain and carry out routine maintenance on equipmentPerson SpecificationEssential:Full UK driving licence (travel is a requirement)Knowledge of Health & Safety regulationsPrevious experience of operating Rotary drilling rigsAble to work within a high-pressured environmentClear communication skills (written and verbal)Willingness to work outdoors in all weathers and stay away from home as requiredDesirable:NVQ Level 2 in Land DrillingTele-Handler ticketSalary & Benefitsc£42,00033 days holiday (including bank holidays)Enhanced Maternity and Paternity PayCompany Pension, Life insurance ( 3x salary) & sick payHealth Cash Plan & medical
cash backAnnual leave buy and sell schemeOngoing training and developmentCycle to work, Green Vehicle & Home/Tech SchemeHigh Street Discounts & Long Service AwardsWe are Igne Group Limited, a synergetic amalgamation of six companies, renowned within our respective fields, with over 350 years of combined experience-a one-stop shop for pre-and post-construction services. Igne's six service categories are ground investigation, testing, unexploded ordnance (UXO), specialist drilling, geothermal, and geo-environmental.We are a Disability Confident Employer, and signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant. We recruit talented individuals who care about making a positive difference. We want colleagues to bring their whole selves to work, so equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are core to our culture and integral to our success. We also want all colleagues to thrive, which is why we have trained and dedicated mental health first aiders across the organisation who are available to
support employees whenever needed. We believe in developing our talent, which is why at Igne you will have many opportunities for training and progression within your role.As part of our commitment to health, safety and wellbeing, all successful candidates may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol screening process before employment commences. Employees are also subject to random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing during employment in accordance with our Drug and Alcohol Policy.Igne is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. #J-18808-Ljbffr