Application Guide

How to Apply for Principal Development Engineer (80–100%)

at Climeworks

🏢 About Climeworks

Climeworks is a pioneer in Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology, operating the world's first two commercial DAC plants in Iceland. They combine over 15 years of R&D with a holistic approach to carbon removal, offering tailored solutions to help companies achieve net-zero goals. Working here means contributing directly to scalable climate solutions at the forefront of carbon removal technology.

About This Role

As Principal Development Engineer, you'll lead the design and development of next-generation CO₂ collector system architectures, integrating sorbent and process requirements into scalable, manufacturable solutions. You'll drive prototyping and testing from ideation to validation, playing a critical role in advancing Climeworks' core DAC technology and accelerating global carbon removal capabilities.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing prototype test data from the lab team, then lead a cross-functional meeting to align sorbent material requirements with mechanical design constraints. In the afternoon, you could be developing validation protocols for new collector subsystems while mentoring junior engineers on scalable design principles.

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🎯 Who Climeworks Is Looking For

  • Experienced engineer with proven leadership in developing scalable, manufacturable systems from concept to validation
  • Expertise in integrating material science (especially sorbent technology) with mechanical and process engineering requirements
  • Strong background in prototyping, testing, and validation of novel mechanical or chemical systems
  • Passionate about climate technology with experience in carbon capture, renewable energy, or similar sustainable engineering fields

📝 Tips for Applying to Climeworks

1

Highlight specific experience with sorbent-based systems or similar adsorption/desorption technologies in your resume

2

Quantify your impact on previous projects that scaled from prototype to manufacturing-ready solutions

3

Demonstrate understanding of Climeworks' existing DAC plants in Iceland and how your experience could advance their technology

4

Showcase leadership in cross-functional teams integrating material science with mechanical/process engineering

5

Include examples of how you've balanced innovation with manufacturability and scalability constraints

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with sorbent integration in mechanical systems and how it applies to CO₂ collector development', 'Specific examples of leading technology from ideation through validation to scalable solutions', "Understanding of Climeworks' mission and how your work would advance their DAC technology roadmap", "Demonstration of how you've previously balanced technical innovation with practical manufacturability requirements"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Climeworks' existing DAC plants in Iceland - their technology, scale, and operational details
  • → The company's holistic approach combining nature-based and engineered carbon removal solutions
  • → Recent publications or patents from Climeworks' R&D team on sorbent or collector technology
  • → The broader carbon removal market and Climeworks' position within it

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your experience developing and validating novel mechanical or chemical systems from concept to prototype
2 How would you approach integrating sorbent material requirements with mechanical collector design constraints?
3 Describe a time you led a team through technical challenges in scaling a technology from lab to manufacturing
4 What do you see as the biggest technical challenges in advancing DAC collector technology for commercial scale?
5 How would you contribute to Climeworks' goal of accelerating global carbon removal while maintaining quality standards?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic engineering experience without specific examples related to scalable system development or material integration
  • Focusing only on theoretical innovation without demonstrating understanding of manufacturability and scalability
  • Lack of research about Climeworks' specific technology, plants, or carbon removal approach

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Climeworks!

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