Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Software Engineer

at Heirloom

🏢 About Heirloom

Heirloom is a climate tech company pioneering direct air capture (DAC) technology that uses natural minerals to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. Unlike many carbon removal startups, Heirloom focuses on accelerated mineral processes that are inherently scalable and cost-effective, aiming to capture 1 billion tons of CO₂ by 2035. Working here means contributing directly to a tangible climate solution with ambitious, science-backed goals.

About This Role

This Senior Software Engineer role involves building and maintaining software systems that orchestrate and control Heirloom's accelerated carbon capture looping process at scale. You'll design software for both R&D activities and operational DAC facilities, ensuring systems are sustainable, automated, and integrated to support efficient scaling. The role is impactful because your code directly enables carbon removal operations, from hardware control to data insights.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve collaborating with hardware engineers to design software for controlling carbon capture loops, writing Golang code to integrate sensor data via messaging systems like NATS, and debugging deployment issues in a Linux environment. You could also be automating insights from SQL databases to optimize process efficiency or maintaining systems at an operational DAC facility to ensure reliable carbon removal.

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🎯 Who Heirloom Is Looking For

  • Has 6-8+ years of software engineering experience with a background in hardware/industrial applications (e.g., IoT, robotics, manufacturing, or energy systems)
  • Is proficient in Golang, Linux/Unix, Git, messaging systems (NATS/MQTT/Kafka), and SQL, with hands-on experience in full lifecycle development from design to production deployment
  • Demonstrates experience in building maintainable, automated systems for scaling physical processes, not just web or mobile apps
  • Shows passion for climate tech and an understanding of how software integrates with hardware to solve environmental challenges

📝 Tips for Applying to Heirloom

1

Highlight specific projects where you developed software for hardware/industrial applications (e.g., controlling sensors, PLCs, or industrial equipment), not just generic backend systems

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize Golang, messaging systems (NATS/MQTT/Kafka), and SQL experience, as these are explicitly listed—include metrics or outcomes from relevant projects

3

Research Heirloom's DAC technology and mention in your application how your skills could apply to 'orchestrating the accelerated looping process' or scaling carbon removal

4

Showcase experience with production deployment, monitoring, and debugging of systems in operational environments, as this role maintains live DAC facilities

5

If you have open-source contributions or projects related to climate tech, IoT, or automation, include links to demonstrate alignment with Heirloom's mission

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Explain why you're passionate about Heirloom's mission to remove CO₂ at scale and how your software engineering experience aligns with climate tech challenges", 'Detail a past project where you built software for hardware/industrial applications, emphasizing outcomes like improved efficiency, scalability, or automation', 'Describe your proficiency with Golang, messaging systems, and SQL in the context of developing sustainable, maintainable systems', 'Connect your experience in design, testing, debugging, and deployment to supporting R&D and operational facilities, as mentioned in the job description']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Study Heirloom's DAC technology: understand how their accelerated mineral process works and the role of software in 'orchestrating the looping process'
  • → Review Heirloom's partnerships and projects (e.g., with Microsoft or the Department of Energy) to grasp their scaling roadmap and technical challenges
  • → Explore the carbon removal industry: learn about DAC competitors, carbon credit markets, and why software is critical for cost-effective CO₂ capture
  • → Look into Heirloom's engineering blog or tech talks to infer their stack and approach to building sustainable systems

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How have you designed software systems for hardware or industrial applications? Discuss a specific example, including challenges and solutions
2 Explain your experience with messaging systems like NATS, MQTT, or Kafka in real-time data processing or control systems
3 Describe a time you built a maintainable, automated system that scaled efficiently—what principles did you apply?
4 How would you approach debugging and monitoring software that controls physical processes in a DAC facility?
5 What interests you about Heirloom's carbon removal technology, and how do you see software enabling its scale-up to 1 billion tons by 2035?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with a generic software engineering resume that lacks hardware/industrial experience or Golang/messaging system proficiency
  • Failing to mention climate tech or Heirloom's mission in your application, which could suggest misalignment with the company's goals
  • Overemphasizing web or mobile development without connecting it to automation, integration, or scaling physical systems as required

📅 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 Heirloom!

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