Head of Test Engineering

About NET Power  

Passionate about making an impact? We are. At NET Power we are driven by our vision of empowering a clean world by globally deploying affordable and reliable zero-emissions energy. We are a well-capitalized, public clean energy technology company based in Durham, North Carolina with operations in Houston and La Porte, Texas.  

Our impact is transformational.  

NET Power technology doesn’t just reduce the world’s carbon footprint. It delivers the Energy Trifecta: Reliable, Low-Cost, Clean Energy. A winning solution for everyone.

Job Overview

NET Power is seeking a dynamic and experienced Head of Testing to lead product validation and test activities of NET Power and our key equipment partner Baker Hughes at our La Porte facility and subsequently at our SN1 project. The ideal candidate will work alongside NET Power and partners’ engineering teams to process validation and verification requirements, plan and prepare the site engineering and operations team to execute campaigns per those requirements, guide testing to ensure the prioritization and achievement of product goals, and ensure proper analysis and lessons learned are documented in a timely manner for all stakeholders. 

The Head of Test Engineering will act as one of the key technical interfaces responsible for translating long term process and product requirements (PRD) into facility design, construction, commissioning, and operations in line with NET Power’s long-term needs and in line with industry practice.  

Among these responsibilities, ensuring safety remains the top priority.  

NET Power’s patented technology combines methodology from both the process and chemical industries as well as power generation. Candidates must have strong process, product development, project management, and systems engineering background with experience in new product introduction and commercialization in relevant industries.   

This role will sit in our LaPorte, Texas facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical leader ensuring the Baker Hughes and NET Power product validation and verification goals are achieved at our La Porte demonstration facility and our first commercial project, Project Permian. 
• Key technical interface to translate process simulations and product requirements (PRD) into facility design, construction, commissioning, and testing for validation.
• Develop and implement the test campaigns and demonstration facility modifications to meet product validation and engineering requirements from Baker Hughes and NET Power engineering.
• Lead daily alignment meetings and provide leadership during the tests.  Document results in daily test reports.
• Always ensure safe operation as the top criteria.  Manage change in collaboration with the Operations team, ensuring Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance. Participate in HAZOP and other process safety events.
• Experience required in First of a Kind (FOAK) technology, pilot testing, including starting, stopping, ramping and off-design testing.
• Lead drafting of operational narratives for testing, while reviewing and contributing to control narratives.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for any emergent testing issues.  Lead supplier technical engagement as necessary.
• Curate and maintain technical lessons learned that flow into utility scale plant design.
• Coordinate with the La Porte site team responsible for plant operations, site modifications, and O&M.  La Porte site operations team is responsible for making the site available and ready to accomplish tests as directed by the NET Power Test Leader.
• Strong communication and leadership skills – role will lead cross-functional teams from multiple companies for safe and successful outcomes.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering. 
• 15 years of experience in industrial plant engineering and operations. 
• Pilot scale test experience including design, construction, commissioning, and testing and reporting.
• Experience scaling technologies from pilot to commercial scale.
• Experience managing engineering and plant operations resources In-depth knowledge of quality assurance methodologies and best practices.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing test engineering teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate testing strategies and results effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Additional Requirements

Candidates must be able to perform essential functions as outlined above, including but not limited to:

• Work effectively in an office environment
• Operate at a computer and sit for long periods of time
• Repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, or fingers
• Position is sedentary with occasional light lifting

What NET Power Offers You

• Amazing growth and learning opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package
• 401K with company contribution
• Generous vacation policy
• Catered in-office lunches
• Be a part of changing the world

NET Power is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status.

To all recruitment agencies: NET Power LLC is not responsible for any fee related to unsolicited resumes from 3rd party staffing and recruiting agencies (whether submitted through this website or sent directly to employees) unless a written agreement is in place between the agency and NET Power LLC (“Company”) and an authorized Company representative makes a written request to the agency to assist with this requisition. Similarly, no fee will be paid for candidates who apply and claim to be represented by an agency. Any unsolicited resumes, CVs, or other candidate information submitted by an agency will become the property of Company, and no fee will be paid in the event such candidate is hired.

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