Principal Design Engineer - Mechanical Equipment (80-100%)

About the role

Climeworks, a carbon removal company operating the world's first two DAC plants in Iceland, is looking for a highly experienced Principal Design Engineer to join its Design Engineering team. You will lead mechanically challenging design problems yourself, from concepts and CAD models to manufacturing drawings, prototypes and tested hardware, while helping the wider team make strong technical decisions. The role is based in Opfikon, Zurich, with at least three days per week onsite.

Key responsibilities

• Turn new concepts into physical products: develop mechanical concepts, create CAD models, design components and complete collector assemblies, produce manufacturing drawings and support hardware through fabrication, assembly and testing.
• Take CO2 collector designs from requirements and concepts through to detailed, manufacturable designs, performing engineering calculations and making robust design decisions.
• Use first-principles reasoning, tolerance analysis, design reviews and testing to reduce risk early.
• Work in SolidWorks to create and modify parts, assemblies and system layouts, and maintain high-quality 2D manufacturing drawings with GD&T, tolerances, materials and finishes.
• Support prototype fabrication, assembly and testing, investigate issues and feed learnings back into the design.
• Act as a senior technical reference for the team, supporting design reviews, engineering standards and approval of critical designs, and mentoring colleagues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, testing, process engineering, procurement and suppliers, and integrate external design resources where needed.

Required profile

• 15+ years of hands-on mechanical design experience, ideally on complex industrial equipment from concept through manufacture, assembly and testing.
• Deep practical experience designing sheet-metal parts, structures and assemblies at scale, including bending, welding and joining, forming, tolerances and material selection.
• Experience designing from components and mechanisms through subsystems and complex assemblies, balancing structure, airflow, sealing, manufacturability, reliability and cost.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• Ability to work with engineers, technicians, manufacturers and suppliers, and to share experience and challenge constructively.

Required skills

• Expert SolidWorks user who creates and maintains manufacturing drawings.
• Confident with GD&T and tolerance chains.
• Strong knowledge of machined parts, welded structures and manufacturing processes, applied through DFMA.

What we offer

• 25 paid vacation days per year plus public holidays.
• Hybrid work with up to 4 weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
• Fair base pay with an equity package.
• Inclusive parental leave.
• Dedicated budget for professional growth.
• Referral rewards.