Operations Specialist

Based in western Canada, Ideon Technologies uses the energy from supernova explosions to image deep beneath the Earth’s surface. Using sub-atomic particles called muons to image deep beneath the Earth's surface, Ideon creates high-res multi-dimensional models that help geologists identify, map, and characterize mineral deposits and other geological features such as caves and voids. Learn more at ideon.ai!

We are seeking an Operations Specialist to play a key role in bringing our subsurface intelligence solutions to life on customer sites above and below ground throughout the Australia & Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This is a great role for someone who has spent time working outdoors and/or in mining environments (i.e. conducting surveys, installing equipment, troubleshooting sensors). This role will be located in Australia.

You will report to the VP, Operations and work closely with a Senior Project Geophysicist based in the APAC region, in addition to interacting in a team setting with hardware and software teams.

You will impact and drive Ideon’s objectives forward by focusing on the following activities:

• Travel to customer sites primarily throughout the APAC region to execute successful deployments and recoveries; customer sites are currently underground in mines, on exploration sites, or above ground in remote locations
• Deploy and set up sensors both in mine and down boreholes
• Conduct minor electrical and mechanical maintenance and repairs
• Work in remote locations in all geographic regions and weather conditions
• Engage actively in field operation activities
• Assist with planning logistics for deployments, management, and maintenance of field equipment
• Collaborate with wider Ideon teams (including manufacturing, software, and hardware) to ensure smooth planning and execution of deployment projects
• Improvise on the spot to make things work in complex situations – often with limited resources close at hand
• Report and communicate outcomes of field activities
• Be a strong adopter and supporter of high-standard environment, safety, health, and quality practices

Success in the role looks like:

• Identifying and presenting options for improvement and streamlining procedures
• Showing solid teamwork skills by jumping in to help where you can
• Able to clearly communicate the processes, activities, and results from the field
• Following all safety procedures and operating equipment responsibly, while complying with all internal and external health and safety standards and requirements
• Becoming a skilled and creative deployment “MacGyver”

Priorities in the first few months will include:

• Familiarizing yourself with our field operating procedures and equipment terminology
• Playing an active role in developing our on-site field culture
• Taking the time to thoroughly understand our technology – what it can do, its limitations, and its potential
• Getting up-to-date on your HSE certificates and our customer site inductions

Qualifications

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

• 2+ years of experience in a similar role or in mechanical and electrical repairs
• Direct, hands-on experience in a professional setting in an outdoor environment, utilizing hand tools and operation around heavy machinery
• Physically able to lift and carry up to 20kg
• Health and safety champion with a consistent record of adhering to health and safety protocols; able to obtain a pre-employment medical assessment and complete training required by Ideon and customers
• Willingness to learn, be adaptable, and take initiative in an ever-evolving environment
• Proven ability to work well under pressure and to meet scheduled deadlines
• Valid driver’s license (trailering experience considered an asset)
• Valid passport with no international travel restrictions
• Well-developed communication skills in English at a fluent or professional level; able to be assertive and respectful
• Legally able and currently documented to work full time hours in Australia

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

• Experience in or excitement for working in a tech scale-up; happy to wear a few hats and adjust on the fly
• An ambitious, can-do attitude; you get that we’re doing challenging work and are excited to dive in
• Enthusiastic and confident to take initiative and be adaptable in an agile, fast-paced environment
• Solid teamwork skills; you’re accountable to yourself and your team and will jump in to help where you can
• Creative solutioning mindset with great problem-solving skills
• Insatiable curiosity paired with a drive to deliver
• Able to work well under pressure and to meet committed deadlines
• Great interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with colleagues, customers, and external stakeholders
• Able to contribute something “extra” to our culture beyond the work that you do, like wowing people with your home-baked goods, sharing improv comedy skills, or organizing sports games

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.

• First aid, WHMIS certification
• Awareness of and/or training in compliance with mining safety legislation and Safe Work Australia requirements
• Knowledge of other common geophysical techniques
• Some experience or knowledge of down-hole geophysical methodology
• Experience on mineral exploration projects, mine sites and/or drill programs
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) and office communication tools

More Role Details

Remote work: Ideon's head office is located in Richmond, British Columbia, Canada (pacific time). As Ideon doesn't have an office established in Australia, this is a remote role. When not working on customer sites, expectations are that work is conducted from your home office in Australia (we'll provide a laptop and some financial support for peripherals).

Hours of work: When not on customer sites or active deployments, 38 hours/week, Monday to Friday. Typical working hours are 8AM-4PM-ish local time; some employees shift slightly earlier or later based on business and personal needs. You may occasionally be asked to be reasonably flexible with your hours due to business requirements and to accommodate some overlap with team members working in Canada.

When on customer sites and active deployments, workdays are frequently longer with earlier start times around 7 AM local time.

Travel: While most travel will be within Australia, there may occasionally be customer sites located in the broader Asia-Pacific region. Therefore, a valid passport is required. Ideon will arrange transportation from your home base to/from customer sites.

Field work: Approximately 50% of the time will be spent performing field work on customer sites.

What We Offer

• Regional and international work opportunities without relocation.
• An opportunity to work with a dynamic technology scale-up. You will be working to advance a ground-breaking solution that generates significant economic and environmental benefit.
• A team that is entrepreneurial by nature, mission-driven, and focused on doing things right to deliver great customer outcomes. We are committed to seeking out the best brains and the most exceptional humans, wherever they come from and however they happen to be packaged.
• In addition to base remuneration, 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.
• Superannuation contributions.
• Accreditation and tuition support.
• An annual paid closure between the Christmas and New Year’s stat holidays, in addition to vacation time.
• Paid leaves per Australia’s Fair Work Act.
• 2 weeks/year work-from-almost-anywhere.
• Parental leave top-up.
• Employee referral bonus.
• While we work hard, we also sprinkle social events and learning opportunities into our days (in person and virtually).

What It’s Like at Ideon

Great ideas and rich company culture come from diversity of thought, experience, and perspective. The Ideon culture is anchored in a set of core values that directly shape how we hire, coach, evaluate, and develop our people:

• Driven by industry, informed by science
• Inspired to create, wired to deliver
• Unified team, personally accountable
• Boldly ambitious, exceptionally human