Mechanical Engineering Leader (Vacuum Systems)

Remora is hiring a Senior Mechanical Engineer who will lead the development of the vacuum subsystem in the Remora mobile carbon capture device from concept through production. This role will oversee requirement generation, component development, component sourcing, and systems testing, ensuring design deliverables meet aggressive timelines.

We’re a 75-person climate tech startup based in Detroit, MI. We build a device that captures a semi-truck’s carbon emissions directly from the tailpipe. We sell the CO2 to end-users, and split that revenue with our customers, so our device pays for itself over its lifetime.

We’re piloting our technology with some of the largest companies in the world, including three of the Fortune 10, and we’ve raised multiple rounds of funding from leading investors like Lowercarbon Capital, Union Square Ventures, and First Round Capital.

Responsibilities:

• Design: Generate detailed requirements and provide design direction for vacuum pumps, piping layouts, and related components, ensuring compliance with industry standards and Remora’s high-performance benchmarks. Identify, optimize and implement innovative designs for vacuum systems to improve energy efficiency, flow performance, and system reliability. Analyze vacuum system performance through simulation, testing, and diagnostics.
• Plan & Develop: Lead design reviews, create analytical and computational models, and develop DFMEA/DVP&Rs, including bench and system testing plans, pre-production verification and validation, and design release. Establish strategies, timelines, and goals for vacuum subsystem.
• Execute: Drive the research and development of vacuum systems and subsystems with a focus on vacuum pumps, seals, piping, and control systems, collaborating with subject matter experts and suppliers. Ensure high performance, efficiency, and durability of vacuum components under rigorous operating conditions.
• Grow: Mentor and support less experienced team members in vacuum system design, analysis, and testing while fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
• Collaborate: Serve as the main point of contact for vacuum subsystems, working closely with cross-functional engineering teams and suppliers to ensure seamless system integration.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related field
• 7 years of mechanical engineering experience with significant focus on vacuum systems and vacuum pump technology
• Deep expertise in the design, development, and integration of vacuum pumps, including rotary vane, dry screw, liquid ring and other industrial vacuum technologies
• Strong knowledge of vacuum system components such as seals, valves, piping, and controls
• Experience leading engineering teams to achieve design deliverables in an R&D environment
• Proven ability to analyze vacuum system performance using simulation and experimental data to optimize designs
• Experience with supplier collaboration to source and validate vacuum systems and components
• Ability to make rapid, informed decisions under conditions of significant uncertainty

Preferred Requirements:

• Experience with large-scale industrial systems involving heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and interconnected piping
• Familiarity with advanced vacuum technologies, including high vacuum and ultra-high vacuum systems
• Knowledge of liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide handling and storage
• Experience with P&ID creation and maintenance for complex vacuum and fluid systems
• 5 years of R&D experience working on first-of-its-kind hardware systems with challenging timelines
• Strong CAD skills (3D and 2D), CAE/FEA/CFD simulation, and vacuum flow modeling experience
• Background in heavy-duty vehicles, industrial systems, or mobile applications
• Prior experience at a venture-backed startup

Here’s what we value:

• You want to join a fast-paced, fast-growing startup.
• You care deeply about reducing carbon emissions and building power for the historically excluded communities that those emissions will most affect.
• You’re committed to practicing anti-racism and anti-sexism.
• You fully own projects, and you identify and solve problems through completion.
• You adapt to change and appreciate failures as learning opportunities, constructively sharing them with your teammates.
• You improve your teammates’ performance through collaboration. You consistently pursue personal and professional growth for yourself and your teammates.
• You voice respectful disagreement and provide high-quality constructive feedback. You’re an effective and active listener and a clear and concise communicator.

Logistics:

• Location: Wixom, MI
• Start date: Immediately
• COVID-19: Remora requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Applicants are required to submit proof of vaccination prior to beginning employment. Appropriate COVID-19 safety precautions are implemented in the workplace.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary/Hourly: $140,000-$200,000
• Equity: 0.14%
• Healthcare (Aetna)
• Retirement (401k)
• Student loan assistance
• Four weeks of paid time off
• Dependent care assistance (childcare or eldercare)
• Parental leave
• Unlimited sick and compassionate leave
• Employee development and coaching
• Office setup (remote) or relocation (in-person) stipend

Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to think they are qualified for a position after reading a list of requirements like the one above. If you are worried that you are not qualified, please apply anyway! We’re most excited to work with people who learn quickly and want to tackle the climate crisis.