Engineering Solutions: You provide technical leadership and expertise in the industrialization of mechanical components and systems, transforming concepts into integrated, robust and reliable industrial equipment products. You deliver innovative engineering solutions that ensure proper validation and enable scalable, high-quality manufacturing and serial production.
Product Design & CAD: You technically lead, create, and optimize product designs, using CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks) to develop integrated systems, component assemblies and 2D manufacturing drawings. You ensure full technical readiness of the products according to the development plan.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership: You work closely with cross-functional teams and act as the expert for mechanical design, component integration, and manufacturability. You mentor less experienced engineers, provide technical guidance in decision-making, and manage external design resources to ensure their efficient integration into the development process.
Quality Assurance & Technical Readiness: You ensure the technical correctness and completeness of the design, from specifications to manufacturing drawings and bills of materials, with a strong focus on compliance with organizational and industrial standards.
Approval of Technical Documentation: You take full ownership as the approval authority for technical product documentation. This includes the review and approval of engineering drawings and the corresponding bill of materials. You lead design review presentations and uphold high standards to ensure accurate, traceable, and audit-ready development documentation that supports compliance and continuous product improvement.
Prototype Development & Testing: You define validation units, coordinate their fabrication, and participate in testing activities. You ensure that all test findings are transferred into product improvements.

Education & Engineering Expertise: You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and bring deep, expert level expertise in engineering fundamentals and complex system development.
Advanced Mechanical Engineering Application: You have a proven ability to apply advanced engineering principles,
development methodologies, and analytical techniques to the design of large industrial equipment components.
Mechanical Design & Manufacturing Knowledge: With 12+ years designing mechanical components for industrial machinery, you bring expert metal and sheet metal design skills, strong knowledge of key manufacturing processes, and proficiency in DFMA, material selection, and regulatory compliance (with internal and industrial standards). You deliver robust, reliable design solutions.
CAD Proficiency & Technical Skills: You are proficient in designing mechanical components using CAD and in creating high quality technical drawings. You are experienced in applying geometric dimensioning and tolerancing chains and understand the corresponding manufacturing processes.

Attention to Detail & Problem-Solving: You have strong attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and a passion for problem-solving and creative engineering.
Communication & Teamwork: You communicate effectively in English, collaborate confidently with cross-functional teams, and enjoy mentoring and guiding less experienced engineers. You contribute to a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement, while actively expanding your own expertise and advancing your engineering career.

Our promise: At Climeworks, you are accepted for who you are, and we are committed to building an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply – regardless of background, identity, or experience. Studies show that women and individuals from minority backgrounds often only apply for jobs when they meet 100% of the listed criteria. If this sounds like you, don’t hold back. If you think you’d make a great fit for this role, we’d love to hear from you, even if you don’t check every single box. Let’s tackle one of humankind’s greatest challenges together.

What we offer:

Time Off: Enjoy 25 paid vacation days every year, plus public holidays.
Flexibility: Work how it suits you best. We offer a hybrid work setup and up to 4 weeks of remote work annually within any EU country.
Ownership: Fair base pay paired with an equity package – because your contributions matter.
Family Support: Inclusive parental leave.
Continuous Learning: Dedicated budget to invest in your professional growth.
Referral Rewards: Help us grow our team and earn bonuses for your successful referrals.

Salary: At Climeworks, salary ranges are assigned to a job based on the level of seniority and the location specific market median of similar jobs according to external benchmark surveys. Individual compensation depends on your skills, experience, and the value you bring to the team.

Formalities:

This position is based in Opfikon, Zurich, and we ask that you work onsite at least three days per week.
The percentage in the job title means flexibility – choose full-time or part-time based on what works for you.
We do not accept candidate profiles through recruitment agencies.

Principal Design Engineer - Mechanical Equipment (80-100%)