Principal Development Engineer / Principal Development Engineeress

Get to Know Climeworks

Climeworks is a leading provider of high-quality carbon removal solutions, leveraging decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. Our holistic approach to carbon removal solutions integrates tailored portfolios comprising both nature-based and engineered strategies to help companies achieve their net-zero goals.

Climeworks operates the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, a testament to our unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality carbon removal solutions rooted in over 15 years of pioneering research, development, and deployment.

By advancing the most reliable solutions available, Climeworks accelerates the global transition to net zero, unlocking significant economic value for businesses, governments, and society as a whole.

We foster a dynamic work environment and are dedicated to building a purpose-driven global team. We welcome aspiring leaders, disruptive thinkers, and passionate achievers eager to confront one of the world’s greatest challenges.

Your Mission

Job Description

• Strategic Technology Leadership: Lead the development of next-generation CO₂ collector system architectures, integrating sorbent and process requirements into scalable, manufacturable solutions.
• Advanced Prototyping & Validation: Drive the prototyping and testing of novel collector concepts and subsystems, overseeing their full lifecycle from ideation to final validation. Design and manage complex experimental campaigns to mitigate technological risks and accelerate development timelines.
• Cross-Functional Influence: Act as a key interface between sorbent science, process engineering, mechanical design, and industrialization, ensuring the seamless integration of material and process properties into mechanical systems.
• Innovation & IP Strategy: Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies to identify opportunities for differentiation, contributing actively to Climeworks’ intellectual property portfolio and shaping our innovation strategy.
• Mentorship & Technical Excellence: Mentor both senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and continuous learning, while setting engineering standards and ensuring best practices in design, prototyping, and documentation.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Program Leadership: Lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional programs, managing technical and non-technical risks, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring successful delivery against ambitious goals.

Your Story

Requirements

• Expertise & Education: Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field with 10+ years of experience in developing complex industrial equipment, ideally involving steam, vacuum, and thermal systems.
• Innovation Track Record: Proven history of leading hardware development innovations from lab-scale prototypes to industrial-scale systems, excelling in ambiguity and solving complex engineering challenges with creativity and rigor.
• Technical Mastery: Deep knowledge in design-for-manufacture, industrialization, and scaling of hardware systems, alongside proficiency in CAD tools (preferably SolidWorks) and experience with sorbents, adsorption/desorption processes, or thermal separation technologies.
• Leadership & Collaboration: A trusted technical leader who inspires teams and drives alignment across disciplines, with effective communication skills to engage diverse stakeholders and an entrepreneurial mindset in all endeavors.

How to Apply

At Climeworks, we value individuality and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply online using the form below, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.

What We Offer

• Time Off: Enjoy 25 paid vacation days every year, plus public holidays.
• Flexibility: Work in a way that suits you best. We offer a hybrid work setup and up to 4 weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
• Ownership: Fair base pay paired with an equity package—because your contributions matter.
• Family Support: Inclusive parental leave.
• Continuous Learning: A dedicated budget to invest in your professional growth.
• Referral Rewards: Help us grow our team and earn bonuses for your successful referrals.

Salary

Salary ranges at Climeworks are determined based on job level and the specific market median of similar positions according to external benchmark surveys. Individual compensation is contingent on your skills, experience, and the value you bring to our team.

Formalities

This position is based in Opfikon, Zurich, and we ask that you work onsite at least three days per week. The percentage in the job title signifies flexibility—choose full-time or part-time based on your personal needs.

We do not accept candidate profiles through recruitment agencies.