Head of Plant Design

Heirloom Carbon • Brisbane, CA

12d

About The Position

We are seeking a Head of Plant Design to lead the development and execution of plant infrastructure and process engineering. This role requires a leader capable of managing a diverse portfolio of projects, each varying in scale and development phase, from concept to detailed design. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, effectively balancing priorities, driving multiple projects forward, managing change in technologies as it matures, and ensuring alignment with company objectives. This position offers the unique opportunity to shape and scale an internal function that bridges in-house expertise with external design consultants. As a critical member of the Heirloom leadership team, the Head of Plant Design will maintain a deep understanding of product applications, industry trends, and emerging technologies. This role requires developing and communicating a clear vision for plant design that aligns with the company’s strategic goals and long-term growth objectives. Leading a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts in infrastructure and process engineering, the Head of Plant Design will foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across internal teams and external partners. Managing a diverse project portfolio, this role will oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they progress efficiently through feasibility, concept development, and detailed design phases. By establishing clear priorities across projects of varying scale and complexity, the Head of Plant Design will proactively monitor risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain project timelines and deliverables. Concept development and design oversight will be a key focus, requiring close collaboration with subject matter experts to create innovative, practical, and scalable plant and process design solutions. This role will drive the transition from conceptual designs to detailed engineering deliverables while ensuring adherence to quality and regulatory standards. External partnerships will be a crucial aspect of this position, as the Head of Plant Design will be responsible for selecting and managing engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms and general contractors (GCs). Additionally, the role involves building in-house capabilities to support site readiness and project execution. Serving as the primary liaison with external design consultants, this position will manage scopes of work, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring partners meet project timelines, quality standards, and integration requirements. Beyond execution, this role will lead the development of Heirloom’s contracting strategy for design and construction, ensuring all plant design deliverables align with overall project timelines and budgets. The Head of Plant Design will also be responsible for creating streamlined processes to enhance design delivery and lay the groundwork for an internal EPC capability. Effective stakeholder communication and alignment will be essential, with regular updates provided to executive leadership on project progress, key decisions, and challenges. Close collaboration with operations, maintenance, and safety teams will ensure seamless integration of designs into the broader organization. Additionally, this role will play a pivotal part in bridging technology development and plant design, accelerating project timelines toward final investment decisions (FID) and mitigating risks associated with scaling new technologies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Structural, Civil, or Process Engineering, or a related field.
• At least 15 years of experience in plant design, infrastructure, or process engineering, with recent leadership in the design of large-scale industrial or infrastructure projects.
• Strong background in engineering, preferably in structural, mechanical, or electrical disciplines.
• Proven track record of managing and delivering multiple projects at various stages of development, leading multidisciplinary teams, and overseeing external design consultants.
• Experience implementing cost-efficient design strategies.
• Proficient in developing digital design methodologies, such as BIM strategy implementation.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Highly proficient in engineering design tools and project management software.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to align cross-functional teams and external partners effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience scaling an organization or function into an EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) capability.
• Recognition as a discipline expert or industry leader.
• Deep understanding of industrial-scale process design, operational integration, and lifecycle management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) designation.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a deep understanding of product applications, industry trends, and emerging technologies.
• Develop and communicate a clear vision for plant design that aligns with the company’s strategic goals and long-term growth objectives.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of subject matter experts in infrastructure and process engineering.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability across internal teams and external partners.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring they progress efficiently through feasibility, concept development, and detailed design phases.
• Establish clear priorities across projects of varying scale and complexity.
• Proactively monitor risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain project timelines and deliverables.
• Create innovative, practical, and scalable plant and process design solutions.
• Drive the transition from conceptual designs to detailed engineering deliverables while ensuring adherence to quality and regulatory standards.
• Select and manage engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms and general contractors (GCs).
• Build in-house capabilities to support site readiness and project execution.
• Manage scopes of work, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring partners meet project timelines, quality standards, and integration requirements.
• Lead the development of Heirloom’s contracting strategy for design and construction.
• Create streamlined processes to enhance design delivery and lay the groundwork for an internal EPC capability.
• Provide regular updates to executive leadership on project progress, key decisions, and challenges.
• Ensure seamless integration of designs into the broader organization through close collaboration with operations, maintenance, and safety teams.
• Play a pivotal part in bridging technology development and plant design, accelerating project timelines toward final investment decisions (FID) and mitigating risks associated with scaling new technologies.

Benefits

• Robust health coverage. Excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by Heirloom. FSA option.
• Generous parental leave. 16 weeks paid leave for all Heirloom employees, regardless of primary/secondary caregiver status.
• Generous stock options.
• Flexible time off. Unlimited PTO for exempt (salaried) employees & 120 hours for full time non-exempt (hourly) employees.
• 401(k).
• Stay healthy. Monthly health and wellness reimbursement.
• Learn on the job. Robust annual education and conference budget, including airfare and hotel costs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees