Principal Geophysicist

Job Summary

Provide principal level technical leadership across complex seismic imaging and earth model building, while owning end-to-end delivery of large, strategic programs. The Principal Geophysicist sets the technical vision spanning depth imaging, EMB and ML/AI workflows, leads multi-disciplinary teams, and serves as a senior client-facing authority for technical strategy and program execution.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Own execution of large, multi-workstream programs: scope, schedule, budget, risk, and governance.
• Define KPIs, milestones, and decision gates; report progress to TGS and client leadership.
• Lead multi-disciplinary teams across imaging, processing, R&T, data engineering, and commercial.
• Serve as senior client interface, align on strategy, lead technical reviews, and translate tradeoffs into business decisions.

Technical Direction

• Set technical strategy for complex imaging and FWI-driven earth model building across OBN (sparse/dense) and streamer data.
• Guide model building decisions: parameterization, anisotropy strategy, multi-scale design, convergence criteria, and uncertainty framing.
• Drive integration of ML/AI methods into production workflows (denoising, interpolation, velocity estimation, imaging enhancement).

Collaboration & Capability Building

• Partner with R&T to mature new methods from prototype to production.
• Mentor senior and junior geophysicists; raise team capability in FWI, OBN, subsalt imaging, and ML workflows.
• Represent TGS in technical forums, client workshops, and industry venues (SEG, EAGE).

Required Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Geophysics, Geology, Physics, Computer Science.
• 20+ years in seismic processing and imaging, with deep expertise in earth model building in complex geology.
• Proven delivery of FWI and depth imaging (RTM/LS-RTM, tomography) on GoA or comparable salt basins.
• Strong experience with OBN (sparse and dense) and streamer imaging.
• Demonstrated application of ML/AI to seismic or geophysical problems.
• Proven program/project management track record on large, multi-stakeholder engagements: scope, schedule, budget, and risk.
• Established client-facing leadership: trusted advisor role, executive communication, and workshop/proposal experience.
• Track record of mentoring and leading technical teams.
• Python proficiency; comfort with Linux/HPC environments and ML frameworks

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP or equivalent program management credential.
• Publications, patents, or recognized internal technology leadership in imaging, inversion, or ML for geophysics.
• Experience leading multi-year, multi-stakeholder programs.