Lead Mechanical Engineer (100%) – Based in Zurich, Switzerland

Climeworks•Calgary, AB

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

This role leads the development of mechanical specifications, design philosophies, and basis of design for global execution. The Lead Mechanical Engineer ensures owner requirements are clearly defined, documented, and communicated to contractors, and validates design assumptions against operability, safety, and applicable regulatory expectations. A key focus is defining a pressure equipment compliance pathway suitable for local and regional execution. The position requires incorporating cold-weather conditions into mechanical design and execution planning, ensuring the design is constructable and maintainable through winter. This includes freeze protection, winterization, insulation/heat tracing philosophy, drainage/low-point management, and cold start/commissioning constraints. The role also involves managing contractors by reviewing and approving submissions, enforcing owner requirements, providing technical clarifications, and ensuring adherence to schedule, quality, safety, and operability. The Lead Mechanical Engineer is responsible for developing innovative engineering solutions for cost optimization without compromising quality or safety, focusing on design-to-construct decisions appropriate for local boundary conditions. Strong integration with other disciplines (process, civil, electrical, O&M) is crucial for seamless and optimized designs. The role supports alignment of mechanical scope with local permitting needs and maintains thorough records of technical decisions, design bases, vendor information, and lessons learned. While advertised for Canada, the position is based in Zurich, Switzerland, and requires relocation.

Requirements

Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
At least 10 years of experience in process plants, preferably in cold weather climates, as a mechanical static equipment engineer.
Proven expertise in API and ASME equipment such as heat exchangers, columns, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and packaged auxiliary equipment.
Demonstrated, hands-on experience with cold-weather industrial plant design and execution, including winterization, freeze protection, and constructability planning for winter conditions (e.g., Canada, Nordics, Northern US).
Hands-on involvement in at least one full-cycle project in the chemical, petrochemical, or renewables industry, covering all phases from FEED and detailed design to construction, commissioning and start-up-preferably in cold-weather or remote/seasonally constrained execution environments.
Precise, adaptable, and reliable work style with a proactive and solution-oriented approach.
Comfortable driving decisions and owning them in the office and under field constraints, including winter productivity and schedule risk.
Confident in presenting to executive audiences and EPC contractors, translating technical content into clear, actionable information.
Fluent in English.
Ready to travel up to 60% of your time depending on the project phase (including extended site presence in Alberta, Canada).
Must be willing to relocate to Zurich, Switzerland.

Nice To Haves

Experience in cold weather climates.
Experience in remote/seasonally constrained execution environments.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of fit-for-purpose mechanical specifications, design philosophies, and basis of design for execution Globally.
Ensure owner requirements are clearly defined, documented, and communicated to contractors.
Validate design assumptions against operability, safety, and applicable regulatory expectations.
Define a pressure equipment compliance pathway suitable for local and regional execution.
Incorporate Alberta (or similar) climate conditions into mechanical design and execution planning (freeze protection, winterization, insulation/heat tracing philosophy, drainage/low-point management, cold start/commissioning constraints).
Ensure the design is constructable and able to operate and be maintained through winter conditions.
Review and approve contractor submissions.
Enforce owner requirements.
Provide technical clarifications.
Ensure adherence to schedule, quality, safety, and operability.
Set clear expectations for execution methods, field quality controls, and turnover documentation.
Develop innovative engineering solutions to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or safety.
Focus on design-to-construct decisions appropriate for local boundary conditions.
Assure strong integration with process, civil, electrical, and O&M disciplines to achieve seamless and optimized designs.
Proactively manage cross-discipline interfaces.
Support alignment of mechanical scope assumptions with local permitting and application needs.
Maintain thorough records of technical decisions, design bases, vendor information, and lessons learned for future operational use.