Senior Process Engineer

About Zero Carbon Systems

Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying breakthrough technologies designed to reduce atmospheric CO2 at scale, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Backed by mission aligned investors and led by a team of passionate innovators, ZCS sits at the intersection of cutting edge science and real world impact. We are building a diverse, collaborative, and driven team of individuals who share our commitment to excellence, creativity, and the belief that the work we do today will shape the world of tomorrow.

If you are energized by meaningful work and want to be part of a company where your contributions directly advance the clean energy transition, we would love to hear from you.

Position Overview

Zero Carbon Systems seeks a Senior Engineer, Process to join a fast growing and flexible team working to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Reporting to the Director of Process Engineering, this role will apply engineering insights and process models to build a demonstration plant for a novel Direct Air Capture (DAC) process for CO2 removal. The demo will be leveraged to refine the design for scale-up to our full‑scale facility. This is a full‑time, on‑site position based in Brighton, CO.

Responsibilities

• Identify, analyze, develop, configure, and optimize process improvements for our evolving process design.
• Support the translation of our conceptual design for a novel process into a working pilot facility.
• Support interpretation of new equipment design information including P&IDs and 3D CAD for staff and contractors building new rigs.
• Design experiments and tests and analyze results from pilot runs and lab experiments.
• Apply statistical analysis tools to the visualization and analysis of experimental and process data, and to the development of correlations to summarize that data.
• Engage in Design Risk Assessments including appropriate HAZID and HAZOP analyses.
• Evaluate pilot and production equipment's overall performance, reliability, and safety.
• Alter and modify designs to meet requirements and to eliminate malfunctions.
• Prepare engineering reports and documentation.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical, Process, or Mechanical Engineering with 5 to 10+ years of experience.
• Competency in the field of chemical engineering process operations involving heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid and gas flow, and separation techniques.
• Broad experience in process operation and troubleshooting in the chemical, biological, or agrifood space.
• Previous experience working in a process engineering capacity within a chemical, biotech, agrifood, or oil and gas plant.
• Comfortable providing support and oversight to operators.
• Experience reviewing process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, energy and material balances, utility requirements, and control logic for chemical manufacturing systems.
• An inquisitive nature to drill down into details and apply logical reasoning to develop solutions.
• Ability to communicate technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner.
• Ability to work effectively on cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Experience

• Previous startup experience and comfort working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to leverage Excel, VBA, Python, or similar tools to solve engineering problems.
• Experience with EPC management.
• Experience in data analysis and statistics using tools such as JMP.
• Experience with temperature swing adsorption, heat pumps, gas compression, and vacuum systems.
• Experience with process safety reviews and safe design techniques.
• Experience troubleshooting operational and safety issues.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment as necessary.

$130,000 - $150,000 a year

Zero Carbon Systems is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Your Right to Work

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.