Job Summary

The Underground Drilling Assistant at Boart Longyear is a high-intensity, “hands-on” technical role within the mineral exploration and drilling services sector. Based out of Moncton, this position is critical to the extraction and management of core samples from underground environments. You will support the Driller in the setup, operation, and teardown of specialized drilling rigs, ensuring that production targets are met without compromising the company’s industry-leading safety standards. This is a role for physically resilient individuals who are committed to a career in heavy industry and exploration.

Job Details

Employer: Boart Longyear (Global leader in drilling services and equipment)
Location: Moncton, NB (Project sites vary)
Position Type: Full-time
Compensation: * Structure: Competitive hourly wage + bonus opportunities based on performance and safety metrics.
- Advancement: Clear progression path from Assistant to Driller for those demonstrating mechanical aptitude and leadership.
Estimated Average Salaries: In the 2026 Atlantic Canada drilling sector, entry-to-mid-level assistants typically earn between $28.00 and $34.00 per hour, with substantial increases possible through overtime and production bonuses.

Core Responsibilities

Operational Support: Assist the Driller in the daily operation of underground drilling rigs, including the handling of heavy drill rods and core barrels.
Core Management: Extract, label, and organize core samples for geological analysis, ensuring the integrity of the “Hands-On Core Work.”
Equipment Maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance and cleaning of drilling equipment and tools to prevent downtime and mechanical failure.
Safety Stewardship: Strictly adhere to all safety protocols, including the correct use of PPE and participation in daily safety “toolbox” meetings.
Site Logistics: Assist in the mobilization and demobilization of equipment in various—and often challenging—underground environments.
Documentation: Maintain accurate logs of drilling progress, consumables used, and any site incidents.

Candidate Requirements

Experience: Minimum of over two years of relevant industrial or drilling experience is required.
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
Certification: Valid First Aid certification is mandatory.
Physicality: High physical stamina and the ability to perform demanding manual labor in confined underground spaces.
Aptitude: Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to troubleshoot equipment under pressure.
Availability: Must be adaptable to various drilling environments and potentially irregular schedules or rotations common in exploration.

Job Description

Are you looking for a career that takes you below the surface and rewards your hard work with a real future? Boart Longyear is seeking Underground Drilling Assistants to join our Moncton-based team. We are a global leader in the drilling industry, and our success is built on the “grit” and dedication of our field crews. If you are a self-motivated professional who treats safety as a core value rather than just a rule, we want to help you build your career in mineral exploration.

This is a “boots-on-the-ground” role. You won’t just be watching a machine; you’ll be an integral part of the drilling process, handling core samples that hold the key to the world’s mineral resources. Whether you are assisting with a rig setup or performing “fine-tuning” maintenance on a hydraulic system, your contributions are what keep the operation moving forward. We value individuals who are calm under pressure and possess the mechanical curiosity to understand the complex systems that power our underground operations.

Joining Boart Longyear means joining a team that leads with integrity. We offer competitive wages and a bonus structure that rewards efficiency and safe practices. We provide the quality vehicles, technologies, and professional development training necessary to ensure you are the best at what you do. For those who demonstrate a relentless commitment to excellence and a team-first attitude, the transition to a full Driller role is a clear and attainable goal.

If you have at least two years of experience in heavy industry and the physical stamina for demanding work, we invite you to apply.

Boart Longyear | Moncton, NB

Boart Longyear is a global leader in providing drilling services and manufacturing drilling equipment for the mineral exploration and mining industries. With over 130 years of history, the company is a critical partner for mining projects worldwide. In Moncton, Boart Longyear leverages the city’s logistical advantages to support specialized underground coring operations across the Atlantic region.

Company Culture: “Make it Personal, Make it Home”

The culture at Boart Longyear is built on the high-stakes reality of the drilling and mining industry, where safety and performance are inseparable.

Safety as Paramount: The central cultural pillar is the “Golden Rules of Safety.” The mantra is “Make it safe, make it personal, make it home,” emphasizing that safety isn’t just a corporate policy but a personal commitment to one’s family and colleagues.
Resilience and Grit: Drilling is described by employees as “tough and physically demanding.” The culture attracts individuals who are hardworking, self-motivated, and take pride in “collecting great paychecks” through high-production effort in challenging environments.
Team-Centric Environments: Because teams often work in remote or underground locations, there is a strong “crew-first” mentality. Success depends on the tight-knit relationship between the Driller and the Driller Assistant.
Global Expertise, Local Action: As a large international firm, the culture provides the structure and training of a global leader while maintaining the hands-on, “get it done” attitude of a field-based contractor.

Location: Moncton Operations

While Boart Longyear has massive manufacturing plants in places like North Bay, ON, its presence in Moncton is focused on the Drilling Services division.

Boart Longyear Drilling Services

Regional Hub: The Moncton hub serves as a mobilization point for crews and equipment heading to mine sites throughout New Brunswick and neighboring provinces.
Underground Coring Focus: The Moncton branch is particularly active in Underground Coring, a high-precision drilling method used to extract rock samples to determine the shape and value of ore bodies.
Rotational Life: Many roles based out of Moncton involve rotational schedules (e.g., 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off), where crews are dispatched from the city to remote project sites.
Specialized Fleet: The team utilizes Boart Longyear’s own proprietary rigs, which are considered the industry standard for depth and core recovery quality.

Core Field Roles in Moncton

Role	Focus
Driller (Underground)	The “captain” of the rig, responsible for production, safety, and sample quality.
Driller Assistant	Manages rod handling, sample collection, and basic rig maintenance.
Drilling Field Supervisor	Oversees multiple crews, ensuring contract compliance and safety standards.
Field Mechanic	Keeps the high-tech drilling fleet operational in harsh environments.

Employee Benefits & Growth

Compensation: Competitive hourly rates often ranging from $28 to $45+ per hour depending on experience and role, with significant overtime opportunities.
Comprehensive Benefits: Includes Health, Dental, Vision, and a Pension Plan, along with a Disability Program.
Rapid Advancement: The “Driller Development Program” provides a clear path for assistants to move into driller roles, often within a few years of dedicated service.

To apply for this job please visit careers.boartlongyear.com.