Principal Electrical Engineer (100%)

• 16 October 2026
• 100%
• Indefinite duration
• Zurich

Climeworks is looking for an experienced electrical engineer. Join a dynamic team and benefit from an inclusive working environment.

Tasks ##

• Define and maintain technical direction for the electrical department.
• Manage contracts and ensure compliance with owner requirements.
• Improve the reliability and performance of electrical systems.

Skills ##

• Degree in electrical engineering and 10 years of experience.
• Project and contract management skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Technical Direction: You define and maintain the technical direction of the Electrical Department. You lead the development of adapted EIC specifications, design philosophies, and design bases for global execution. You ensure that owner requirements are clearly defined, documented, and communicated to contractors, validate design assumptions based on operability and safety, and guarantee compliance with local and regional codes and regulations.
• Contractor Management: You review and approve contractor bids for electrical systems and power distribution, enforce owner requirements, provide technical clarifications, and ensure adherence to schedule, quality, safety, and operability. You set clear expectations regarding execution methods, field quality controls, and the documentation transfer necessary for safe operation and maintenance.
• System Reliability & Innovation: You lead initiatives to improve the reliability and performance of electrical systems, resolve issues, and implement preventive measures. You evaluate and introduce emerging technologies such as energy efficiency solutions.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: You act as the primary electrical interface with process, instrumentation and control, mechanical, and project management teams to ensure integrated designs. You identify and mitigate electrical risks during design and operational phases and support project teams with scope, cost, and schedule estimates.
• Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement: You supervise and mentor junior team members, provide advice on technical challenges, and lead feedback sessions to maintain a strong knowledge base and promote continuous improvement. You maintain complete records of technical decisions, design bases, vendor information, and lessons learned for future operational use.
• Extreme Weather Conditions and Constructability: As our next DAC plant could be located in a cold or hot environment, you integrate weather conditions into electrical design and execution planning (extreme heat, freeze protection, winterization, insulation/heat tracing philosophy, cold start-up/commissioning constraints). You ensure that the design is constructible and can operate and be maintained in cold or hot conditions, including consideration of temporary works, e.g., the sequence of winter works, and interface constraints with activities in cold conditions.
• Professional Experience: You hold a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent and have at least 10 years of experience in process plants in various climates as an electrical engineer. You have experience leading teams.
• Project Experience: You have actively participated in at least one full project in the mining, water treatment, oil and gas, or other comparable industries, covering all phases from FEED and detailed design through to construction, commissioning, and startup; preferably in remote execution environments or those subject to seasonal constraints. You have expertise in low and medium voltage electrical systems, industrial instrumentation, and control systems.
• Industrial Plant Experience in Cold Climates: You have practical experience working with industrial plants in cold environments (e.g., Canada, Nordic countries, or similar climates) and understand the operational, maintenance, and safety challenges associated with extreme weather conditions.
• Communication & Collaboration: You demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills and can interact with various stakeholders, including third-party vendors in intellectual property-sensitive collaborations.
• Work Style: You are precise, adaptable, and reliable, with a proactive and solution-oriented approach. You are comfortable making decisions and taking responsibility both in the office and in the field, including when faced with winter productivity constraints and schedule risks. You are highly organized, able to plan and prioritize work for yourself and others, and comfortable in fast-paced environments.
• Language Skills and Travel: You are fluent in English and are willing to travel up to 40% of your time (including extended site presence during peak design, engineering, construction, and commissioning periods).

Our promise: At Climeworks, you are accepted as you are, and we are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply - regardless of their background, identity, or experience. Studies mo