Senior Development Specialist (80-100%)

• Sorbent Module Development: You take ownership of developing and maturing innovative sorbent modules from concept phase (TRL0) to early-stage product readiness (TRL5), enabling the next generation of Climeworks CO₂ collector products.

• Testing & Characterization: You lead in-house and external development, testing, and characterization of sorbent modules or their sub-elements, understanding how physicochemical properties affect final product performance. You ensure a smooth transition to manufacturing and operations, including defining product requirements at a depth consistent with the technology maturity.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: You collaborate closely with internal experts in testing, product design, and sorbent/process development to create high-performance sorbent module solutions, and you contribute to the development of new testing methods.

• Stakeholder & Project Management: You drive efficient collaboration across functions and with external partners, ensuring alignment, managing both technical and non-technical risks, and setting clear priorities.

• External Partnerships & Technical Leadership: You act as a key technical expert in collaborations with external partners, ensuring DAC-specific requirements for sorbent modules are met.

• Contract & Scope Management: You work with the legal team to ensure contracts with third parties are aligned with the technical scope of work.

• IP & Scientific Contribution: You evaluate relevant scientific literature and patents as needed and contribute to the generation of new intellectual property.

Educational Background: You hold an advanced degree in engineering or materials science; a PhD is a plus but not required.

• R&D and Industry Experience: You bring over 5 years of experience in research and development, spanning at least 2 outside of academia, including successful delivery of technologies into industrial manufacturing environments.

• Materials & Application Expertise: You are skilled in immobilizing sorbents or catalysts in 3D structures and understand how their properties influence system performance.

• Experimental Methods & Characterization: You apply target-driven R&D methods such as DOE and are experienced in material and structural characterization techniques.

• Working Style & Ownership: You take initiative, are results-driven without missing important details, and are hands-on throughout the full development cycle—from lab to high-level evaluations.

• Communication & Project Leadership: You collaborate easily across teams, communicate clearly, and enjoy leading both in-house and external projects.

• Language & Travel Flexibility: You are fluent in English and open to occasional travel (up to 10%); additional language skills are a nice bonus.

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.