Lead Electrical Engineer (100%)

Get to know Climeworks

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. The company advises businesses on carbon removal strategies and provides tailored portfolios of nature-based and engineered approaches, offering end-to-end services to help achieve net-zero goals.

Running the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, Climeworks demonstrates a core commitment to high-quality carbon removal backed by over 15 years of pioneering research, development, and deployment. By advancing the most reliable solutions in the market, the organization 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.

Your Mission

Define and maintain the technical direction for the Electrical Department, leading the development of fit-for-purpose EIC specifications, design philosophies, and basis of design for global execution. Ensure owner requirements are clearly defined, documented, and communicated to contractors, while validating design assumptions against operability and safety and ensuring compliance with local and regional codes and regulations.

Review and approve contractor submissions for electrical systems and power distribution, enforce owner requirements, and provide technical clarifications. Ensure adherence to schedule, quality, safety, and operability by setting clear expectations for execution methods, field quality controls, and turnover documentation needed for safe operation and maintenance.

Lead initiatives to improve the reliability and performance of electrical systems, troubleshoot issues, and implement preventive measures. Evaluate and introduce emerging technologies, such as energy efficiency solutions, to drive system reliability and innovation.

Act as the primary electrical interface with process, instrumentation and controls, mechanical, and project management teams to ensure integrated designs. Identify and mitigate electrical risks during design and operation phases, supporting project teams with scope, cost, and schedule estimates.

Supervise and coach junior team members, provide guidance on technical challenges, and drive lessons-learned sessions to maintain a strong knowledge base and promote continuous improvement. Maintain thorough records of technical decisions, design bases, vendor information, and lessons learned for future operational use.

Incorporate climate conditions into electrical design and execution planning, accounting for extreme heat, freeze protection, winterization, insulation/heat tracing philosophy, and cold start/commissioning constraints. Ensure the design is constructable and able to operate and be maintained through cold or hot conditions, including consideration of temporary works, winter work sequencing, and interface constraints with cold-weather activities.

Your Story

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or equivalent, with at least 10 years of experience in process plants across various climates as an Electrical Engineer, including experience leading teams.
• Have hands-on involvement in at least one full-cycle project in the mining, water treatment, oil and gas, or other comparable industries, covering all phases from FEED and detailed design to construction, commissioning, and start-up, preferably in remote or seasonally constrained execution environments.
• Possess expertise in low and medium voltage electrical systems, industrial instrumentation, and control systems.
• Have hands-on experience working with industrial plants in cold-weather environments (e.g., Canada, Nordic countries, or similar climates) and understand the operational, maintenance, and safety challenges associated with extreme weather conditions.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to liaise with diverse stakeholders, including third-party vendors in IP-sensitive collaborations.
• Be precise, adaptable, and reliable, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach, comfortable driving decisions and owning them in the office and under field constraints, including winter productivity and schedule risk.
• Be highly organized, able to plan and prioritize work for yourself and others, and comfortable working in fast-paced environments.
• Be fluent in English and ready to travel up to 40% of your time, including extended site presence during peak design, engineering, construction, and commissioning periods.

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 with 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: 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 requires working onsite at least three days per week.