Principal Development Engineer (80–100%)

• Strategic Technology Leadership: You lead the development of next-generation CO₂ collector system architectures, integrating sorbent and process requirements into scalable, manufacturable solutions.

    

• Advanced Prototyping & Validation: You drive the prototyping and testing of novel collector concepts and subsystems, overseeing the full lifecycle from ideation to final validation. You design and lead complex experimental campaigns to de-risk technologies and accelerate development timelines. 

• Cross-Functional Influence: You act as a key interface between sorbent science, process engineering, mechanical design, and industrialisation. You ensure seamless integration of material and process properties into mechanical systems, and you champion cross-functional collaboration to scale technologies from lab to industrial deployment. 

• Innovation & IP Strategy: You monitor industry trends and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for differentiation. You actively contribute to Climeworks’ intellectual property portfolio and help shape our innovation strategy. 

• Mentorship & Technical Excellence: You mentor senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence, creativity, and continuous learning. You set engineering standards and ensure best practices in design, prototyping, and documentation. 

• Stakeholder Engagement & Program Leadership: You lead strategic initiatives and cross-functional programs, managing technical and non-technical risks, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring delivery against ambitious goals. You document key learnings and failures to continuously improve innovation cycles. 

• Expertise & Education: You hold an advanced degree (PhD or Master’s) in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related field. You bring 10+ years of experience in developing complex industrial equipment, ideally involving steam, vacuum, and thermal systems. 

• Innovation Track Record: You have a proven history of leading innovation in hardware development, from lab-scale prototypes to industrial-scale systems. You thrive in ambiguity and excel at solving complex engineering challenges with creativity and rigor. 

• Technical Mastery: You are deeply knowledgeable in design-for-manufacture, industrialisation, and scaling of hardware systems. You are proficient in CAD tools (preferably SolidWorks) and have experience with sorbents, adsorption/desorption processes, or thermal separation technologies. 

• Leadership & Collaboration: You are a trusted technical leader who inspires teams and drives alignment across disciplines. You communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and bring an entrepreneurial mindset to everything you do. 

Our promise: At Climeworks, you are accepted for who you are, and we are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply – regardless of background, identity, or experience. Studies show that women and individuals from minority backgrounds often only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the listed criteria. If this sounds like you, don’t hold back. If you think you’d make a great fit for this role, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t check every single box. Let’s tackle one of humankind’s greatest challenges together.

What we offer:

• Time Off: Enjoy 25 paid vacation days every year, plus public holidays.

• Flexibility: Work how it 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: Dedicated budget to invest in your professional growth.

• Referral Rewards: Help us grow our team and earn bonuses for your successful referrals.

Salary: At Climeworks, salary ranges are assigned to a job based on the level of seniority and the location specific market median of similar jobs according to external benchmark surveys. Individual compensation depends on your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the 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 means flexibility – choose full-time or part-time based on what works for you.

• We do not accept candidate profiles through recruitment agencies.