Principal Development Engineer Jobs

Climeworks

Location:
Switzerland, Opfikon, Zurich

Category:
Research and Development

Contract Type:
Not provided

Salary:

Not provided

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Job Description:

Ready to join a team of visionaries who is dedicated to solving one of humankind’s greatest challenges? Climeworks is a leading high-quality carbon removal provider, combining decades of expertise in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology with a holistic approach to carbon removal solutions. Climeworks advises companies on their carbon removal strategies and provides tailored portfolios of nature-based and engineered approaches, offering end-to-end services to help achieve net-zero goals. The company runs the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, demonstrating its core commitment to high-quality carbon removal that is backed by over 15 years of pioneering research, development, and deployment. By advancing the most reliable solutions in the market, Climeworks accelerates the global transition to net zero, unlocking economic value for businesses, governments, and society. We foster a dynamic environment and are building a global purpose driven team. We are looking for disruptive thinkers, passionate achievers and inspiring leaders that are ready to take on the world’s greatest challenge.

Job Responsibility:

Lead the development of next-generation CO₂ collector system architectures, integrating sorbent and process requirements into scalable, manufacturable solutions
Drive the prototyping and testing of novel collector concepts and subsystems, overseeing the full lifecycle from ideation to final validation
Design and lead complex experimental campaigns to de-risk technologies and accelerate development timelines
Act as a key interface between sorbent science, process engineering, mechanical design, and industrialisation
Ensure seamless integration of material and process properties into mechanical systems
Champion cross-functional collaboration to scale technologies from lab to industrial deployment
Monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for differentiation
Actively contribute to Climeworks’ intellectual property portfolio and help shape our innovation strategy
Mentor senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and continuous learning
Set engineering standards and ensure best practices in design, prototyping, and documentation
Lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional programs, managing technical and non-technical risks, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring delivery against ambitious goals
Document key learnings and failures to continuously improve innovation cycles

Requirements:

Advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field
10+ years of experience in developing complex industrial equipment, ideally involving steam, vacuum, and thermal systems
Proven history of leading innovation in hardware development, from lab-scale prototypes to industrial-scale systems
Deeply knowledgeable in design-for-manufacture, industrialisation, and scaling of hardware systems
Proficient in CAD tools (preferably SolidWorks)
Experience with sorbents, adsorption/desorption processes, or thermal separation technologies
Trusted technical leader who inspires teams and drives alignment across disciplines
Communicates effectively with diverse stakeholders
Brings an entrepreneurial mindset

What we offer:

25 paid vacation days every year, plus public holidays
Hybrid work setup and up to 4 weeks of remote work annually within any EU country
Fair base pay paired with an equity package
Inclusive parental leave
Dedicated budget to invest in your professional growth
Referral Rewards

Additional Information:

Job Posted:
December 07, 2025

Work Type:

Hybrid work

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Principal Development Engineer