Soma Capital Portfolio Jobs

Head of Engineering, Equipment and Data Systems

Noya

Noya

Oakland, CA, USA
Posted on Tuesday, May 21, 2024

About Noya:

Noya is reversing climate change by removing CO2 from the atmosphere. We’re a scrappy team of engineers, scientists, and operators taking on the biggest problem anybody could be working on. We’ve developed a process that leverages abundant materials to remove CO2 directly from the air with dramatically lower capital and operating expenses than other approaches.

Position Overview:

As the Head of Equipment Engineering & Data Systems for Noya's Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hardware & Data Systems Engineering teams, you will lead the engineering efforts to design, develop, and deploy at scale advanced machinery and supporting hardware + software systems capable of pulling CO2 directly from the atmosphere. Your teams’ designs will also cover the control, monitoring, and data processing and validation to generate carbon credits, needed for the last and most critical transaction for carbon capture as a business. Your expertise and leadership will drive the scale-up of our DAC technology, contributing to the crucial fight against global climate challenges.

In this position, you will be responsible for assembling and guiding a talented team of engineers and specialists across mechanical, electrical, firmware, controls engineering, as well as industrial IT and data processing, to ensure seamless collaboration. You will guide our direct air capture module designs from engineering prototype to mass production, acting as a key decision-maker in manufacturing strategy. You will also act as a consultant to the Project Development team during project deployment and commissioning. In partnership with our contract manufacturers, you will also be responsible for our early Quality Engineering work to ensure we get high-quality parts for our earliest pilot builds. Down the road, as our designs mature, you will lead Sustaining Engineering functions to continuously improve our designs into the future.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Technology Scale-up: Direct and manage R&D efforts to refine and optimize our DAC machinery and cross-functional systems for better efficiency, capacity, and affordability - lead engineering teams from early proof-of-concept design phases through design validation and manufacturing verification trials

  • Team Building: Build, nurture and motivate a high-performing engineering and data systems organization

  • Design Review and Oversight: Implement stringent design review processes for multidisciplinary projects, guaranteeing comprehensive evaluation, validation, and integration

  • Collaborative Innovation: Encourage a culture of innovation and teamwork across engineering disciplines, enhancing problem-solving and pioneering solutions

  • Project Management: Lead project planning and execution, maintaining strict adherence to deadlines, budget constraints, and quality standards

  • Technical Leadership: Offer ongoing technical advice and mentorship to promote professional growth and expertise among team members

  • Risk Assessment: Proactively identify and address technical risks and obstacles related to DAC scaling efforts

  • Regulatory Compliance: Collaborate with the Project Development team to ensure all engineering practices comply with environmental and safety regulations

  • Stay informed about the latest advancements and breakthroughs in direct air capture technology and related fields, integrating them into Noya's engineering efforts where appropriate

Qualifications:

  • Experience designing and developing industrial machinery and complex equipment that includes input from mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineering domains

  • Experience standing up new production lines and quality systems (eg. control plans, change control, OCAP) in partnership with a contract manufacturer

  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field

  • Extensive experience in engineering management, with a proven track record of scaling complex technological systems, including mechanical, electrical, firmware, and controls engineering projects from concept to sustaining engineering

  • Knowledge of direct air capture technology and its associated challenges is highly desirable

  • Strong leadership capabilities with the ability to motivate others, create a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and deliver results

  • Strong project management skills, including attention to detail, resource allocation and prioritization

  • Excellent communication skills, capable of articulating complex technical concepts to varied audiences

General Information:

  • Salary: $196,000 - $232,000

  • Start date: Mid-August or sooner

  • Location: Oakland, CA (relocation assistance available)

Benefits You Can Expect:

  • Blue Shield and Kaiser medical plans, plus 100% employer-sponsored dental, vision, life and LTD coverage

  • Generous stock option compensation

  • 401(k) with company match

  • PTO including 13 paid holidays throughout the year

  • Healthy snacks and lunch from local restaurants

  • Paid parental leave

  • Supportive commuter benefits

  • Amazing workplace to build first-of-a-kind Direct Air Capture technology, close to West Oakland coffee shops and restaurants

  • The opportunity to work towards an impactful mission in the climate space

Noya is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that reflects a broad range of backgrounds, thought, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, status as an individual with a disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic. Women, people of color, and people from underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply.