Application Guide
How to Apply for Operations Engineer - Process
at Climeworks
🏢 About Climeworks
Climeworks is a pioneering direct air capture company that removes CO₂ from the atmosphere using proprietary technology, with operational plants like Orca and Mammoth. The company is at the forefront of climate tech innovation, offering a unique opportunity to work on first-of-its-kind carbon removal solutions that have real environmental impact. Working here means contributing directly to scalable climate action while being part of a mission-driven team tackling one of humanity's greatest challenges.
About This Role
This Operations Engineer - Process role focuses on optimizing the performance and safety of Climeworks' Orca and Mammoth direct air capture plants through data analysis, root cause investigations, and improvement projects. You'll be responsible for maintaining key performance indicators, developing process models, and supporting daily plant operations to enhance efficiency and reliability. This position is impactful because it directly improves the scalability and effectiveness of carbon removal technology that's critical for climate change mitigation.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day involves analyzing real-time data from Orca and Mammoth plants to monitor KPIs like energy efficiency and operating costs, then investigating any performance deviations to identify root causes. You might develop or update process simulations to test improvement ideas, collaborate with the operations team on daily troubleshooting, and document findings for safety compliance and knowledge sharing. The role balances hands-on problem-solving with strategic analysis to optimize plant performance while maintaining strict safety standards.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of hands-on experience in process plant operations and maintenance, preferably in chemical, energy, or innovative technology sectors
- Possesses strong analytical skills with experience in process data analysis, simulation development, and KPI reporting for industrial systems
- Demonstrates practical knowledge of scale-up challenges and first-of-its-kind plant environments, with adaptability to novel technology operations
- Shows a safety-first mindset with experience fostering safety culture and conducting root cause investigations in process engineering contexts
📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks
Highlight specific experience with process simulations and modeling tools relevant to chemical or industrial plant operations
Quantify your impact on plant performance metrics like OEE, energy efficiency, or operating costs in previous roles
Demonstrate familiarity with scale-up challenges or first-of-its-kind technology environments in your resume
Showcase examples of safety culture initiatives or investigations you've led in process engineering contexts
Reference Climeworks' specific technology (direct air capture) and plants (Orca/Mammoth) in your application materials
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience with process plant operations and maintenance in relevant industries', 'Specific examples of analyzing plant data to drive improvements in efficiency or performance', "How you've contributed to safety culture and conducted root cause investigations in previous roles", 'Your interest in climate tech and carbon removal specifically, not just general engineering']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Climeworks' specific technology - how direct air capture works and their Orca/Mammoth plant designs
- → The company's partnerships and projects (like with Microsoft, Stripe, or Icelandic storage projects)
- → Recent news about plant performance, scale-up challenges, or operational milestones
- → The broader carbon removal industry landscape and Climeworks' position within it
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic applications that don't reference Climeworks' specific technology or mission
- Focusing only on design experience without demonstrating operational/maintenance expertise
- Failing to provide concrete examples of data analysis or improvement projects in plant environments
- Not showing understanding of the unique challenges of first-of-its-kind technology operations
📅 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!