Lead Mechanical Engineer (Renewables)

Location: Opfikon, Zurich, Switzerland; hybrid setup with onsite work required at least three days per week. The role includes travel of up to 60%, including extended site presence in Alberta, Canada. Remote work is available for up to four weeks annually within any EU country.

Company

hirify.global develops direct air capture technology and industrial facilities that address climate change.

What you will do

• Lead mechanical specifications, design philosophies, and bases of design for global direct air capture plant execution.
• Define owner requirements and pressure equipment compliance pathways, including registration and lifecycle documentation.
• Design for cold-weather conditions such as freeze protection, winterization, insulation, heat tracing, drainage, and cold-start constraints.
• Review and approve contractor submissions while managing technical clarifications, field quality controls, schedule, safety, and turnover documentation.
• Develop cost-optimized, constructable solutions including modularization, reduced field welding, optimized layouts, and maintainability.
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces with process, civil, electrical, and operations and maintenance disciplines.

Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• At least 10 years of experience as a mechanical static equipment engineer in process plants located in cold-weather climates.
• Hands-on expertise with API and ASME equipment, including heat exchangers, columns, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and packaged auxiliary equipment.
• Mandatory hands-on experience with cold-weather industrial plant design and execution, including winterization, freeze protection, and winter constructability planning.
• Experience across a full project lifecycle from FEED and detailed design through construction, commissioning, and start-up in chemical, petrochemical, or renewables projects.
• Fluent English, confidence presenting to executives and EPC contractors, and willingness to travel up to 60%.

Nice to have

• Experience in Canada, the Nordic countries, or the northern United States.
• Experience with remote or seasonally constrained execution environments.

Culture & Benefits

• Inclusive environment with a commitment to valuing people from all backgrounds.
• 25 paid vacation days per year plus public holidays.
• Hybrid work setup and up to four weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
• Base pay with an equity package and inclusive parental leave.
• Professional development budget and referral rewards.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV, cover letter, degrees and certificates, and supporting work documents.
• Answer questions about motivation, suitability, cold-weather project experience, availability, salary expectations, and time zone.
• Confirm EU/EFTA citizenship or an existing Swiss work permit.