Application Guide
How to Apply for Intern in Manufacturing Engineering
at Climeworks
🏢 About Climeworks
Climeworks is a pioneering climate tech company that specializes in direct air capture technology, removing CO₂ directly from the atmosphere. Unlike traditional manufacturing companies, they combine engineering innovation with urgent climate action, offering the unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology that addresses global warming. Working here means contributing to scalable solutions for carbon removal, making it ideal for engineers passionate about sustainability.
About This Role
As an Intern in Manufacturing Engineering at Climeworks, you'll support production optimization and testing for direct air capture units, applying engineering principles to real-world manufacturing challenges in a climate tech context. This role is impactful because you'll help scale up technology that removes atmospheric CO₂, directly contributing to the company's mission of combating climate change through innovative engineering solutions.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve joining virtual meetings with cross-functional teams to discuss production optimization for CO₂ capture units, analyzing manufacturing data to identify efficiency improvements, and assisting in remote testing protocols for new components. You could also work on engineering documentation or CAD models, collaborating with mentors to apply classroom knowledge to real-world climate tech challenges, all while contributing to scalable solutions for carbon removal.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For
- A current student or recent graduate in manufacturing, mechanical, or industrial engineering with coursework or projects focused on production processes or optimization
- Someone who demonstrates strong analytical skills through examples like process improvement analyses, CAD modeling, or data-driven problem-solving in academic or project work
- A collaborative team player with experience in cross-functional settings, such as engineering team projects or internships involving multiple departments
- An individual genuinely passionate about climate action, evidenced by involvement in sustainability initiatives, climate-related coursework, or personal projects in green technology
📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks
Highlight any academic projects or experience related to manufacturing optimization, testing protocols, or engineering design, specifically mentioning tools like CAD, simulation software, or data analysis methods you've used
Explicitly connect your engineering skills to climate tech by discussing how you've applied principles like lean manufacturing or quality control in sustainability-focused contexts, even if in coursework
Tailor your resume to include keywords from the job description like 'production optimization,' 'testing and development,' and 'cross-functional collaboration,' with concrete examples from internships, labs, or team projects
Research Climeworks' specific technology (direct air capture) and mention in your application how your engineering background aligns with scaling up their CO₂ removal units
Demonstrate remote collaboration skills by noting experience with virtual engineering tools (e.g., collaborative CAD platforms, remote testing setups) or distributed team projects, given the remote nature of the role
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain why you're specifically interested in manufacturing engineering at Climeworks, not just any engineering internship, by referencing their direct air capture technology and climate mission", "Provide a brief example of how you've applied engineering principles (e.g., from a course or project) to solve a real-world problem, ideally related to manufacturing or sustainability", 'Describe a time you worked collaboratively in a team, such as on an engineering design project, and how it prepared you for cross-functional work at Climeworks', 'Express your passion for climate action with specific reasons, such as relevant coursework, personal initiatives, or how you see manufacturing engineering contributing to carbon removal goals']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Study Climeworks' direct air capture technology: how it works, their current projects (e.g., Orca, Mammoth), and their manufacturing scale-up challenges
- → Look into the company's mission and recent news, such as partnerships, funding rounds, or expansion plans, to understand their growth trajectory in climate tech
- → Research the broader climate tech and carbon removal industry to contextualize Climeworks' role, including competitors and market trends
- → Explore Climeworks' engineering and manufacturing blog posts or whitepapers to grasp their technical priorities and innovation focus areas
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention Climeworks, direct air capture, or climate tech, making it seem like you're mass-applying without genuine interest
- Failing to provide specific examples of engineering skills in action, such as vague statements about 'problem-solving' without detailing projects or tools used
- Overlooking the remote aspect by not demonstrating experience or adaptability with virtual collaboration tools and self-directed work in engineering contexts
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!