Head of Engineering & Projects

What We're Building
Candid is building the AI layer for EPCs and owner operators.

We use AI to reduce the manual effort behind preconstruction engineering by automating document understanding, consistency checks, and repetitive workflow steps across major disciplines. The goal is to make preconstruction 10x faster without sacrificing engineering quality.

We recently raised $6.5M from top AI and industrial investors (including Schneider Electric and Meta’s Chief AI Scientist). Our team includes engineers from MIT, Carnegie Mellon, major LNG and power projects, and leading EPCs.

Why This Role Exists
We need someone who has lived inside pre-FEED and FEED — who knows what a design basis package actually looks like at 3 AM before a gate review, who has directed process engineers through datasheet population cycles, and who has felt the pain of repeatedly doing this every time from scratch.

You are not here to manage a backlog. You are here to direct real project delivery for Candid’s clients while simultaneously shaping the AI tools that will redefine how this work gets done. You will be the bridge between deep engineering domain knowledge and a product team building at startup speed.

What You Will Do

Direct Pre-FEED / FEED delivery engagements for Candid’s clients across LNG, gas‑to‑power, power generation, midstream, and downstream/petrochemical projects

Own the assembly and quality of design basis packages, process basis documents, and supporting deliverables (line lists, P&IDs/PFDs, equipment datasheets, utility summaries, relief load summaries, materials selection studies)

Serve as the authoritative engineering voice in client conversations — project development managers, VPs of Projects, and heads of engineering who will look to you for understanding the work

Work directly with our product and AI engineering team to translate real pre‑FEED and FEED workflows into automation targets — what takes 600 hours today should take 60 tomorrow

Identify and flag inconsistencies, gaps, and quality issues that our AI tools should catch automatically

Advise on project execution strategy, PDRI scoring, and gate review readiness for client engagements

Help shape Candid’s delivery methodology and standards as we scale from early clients to a repeatable practice

Who You Are

15+ years in capital project execution, with significant time in LNG, gas‑to‑power, power generation, midstream, or petrochemical facilities

You have directed or led Pre‑FEED / FEED / Concept Select phases end-to‑end — not just participated, directed

Deep fluency in FEL stage‑gate processes, PDRI, design basis development, process engineering deliverables, and the full document ecosystem that feeds datasheets (Process Design Basis Memorandum, Line Lists, P&IDs, HAZOP outputs, Corrosion/Materials Selection Studies, Utility Summaries, licensor Process Data Books)

Comfort with relevant standards: API 660, API 610, API 617, TEMA, NACE MR0175, GPSA Data Book

You have worked on the EPC side, the owner/operator side, or both — either way, you understand the interface and the tension between them

Strong opinions on where engineering hours get wasted, where errors propagate, and what should be automated

You are not threatened by AI — you are excited by it. You see the waste in current workflows and want to fix it.

Nice to Have

Experience with multiple licensors and their Process Data Book formats

Background in AWP (Advanced Work Packaging) or modular execution strategies

Familiarity with process simulation outputs (even if you’re not running HYSYS yourself)

Direct experience managing multi‑discipline engineering teams across process, mechanical, piping, and instrumentation

Relationships in the Houston EPC/owner‑operator ecosystem

Why Candid

You’ve spent a career watching the same inefficiencies repeat across every project. Here, you get to actually fix them — with AI tools built around your expertise.

Direct influence on product direction. Your domain knowledge is the product.

Startup equity and compensation. Early team, meaningful upside.

Work alongside world‑class AI engineers from MIT and Carnegie Mellon who will build what you spec.

No bureaucracy. No 47‑slide approval decks. Ship and iterate.

Compensation and Perks

Base + meaningful equity

Unlimited PTO

Insurance with medical, dental, and vision coverage

Daily lunch & dinner at the office

Health and wellness budget up to $150 per month

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