Process Engineer

Fervo Energy • Houston, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Geothermal energy currently represents a small fraction of the global electricity mix due to challenges in cost-effectively and repeatedly building geothermal power plants. Fervo is addressing this by developing the world's first commercial-scale enhanced geothermal system and aiming for aggressive deployment to meet the growing demand for geothermal energy. The Process Engineer will be responsible for the engineering and delivery of auxiliary and utility systems essential for the operation of a geothermal power block, including instrument air, plant water, chemical injection, HVAC, and the control architecture. This role requires a proactive approach to questioning existing requirements, driving complexity out of designs, and establishing standardized solutions for Fervo's future plants. The position involves close collaboration with turboexpander, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to ensure utility systems support overall plant performance.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of process engineering experience.
• Hands-on experience with P&ID development and process design basis support.
• Able to translate technical complexity into clear, fast decisions for cross-functional partners.

Nice To Haves

• Background building something that had to scale, where the standard set mattered beyond the project in front of you.
• Experience with commissioning support.
• Familiarity with DCS or PLC-based control system architecture and integration.
• Track record driving process standardization and cost reduction across multiple projects or sites.

Responsibilities

• Own process design and analysis for utility systems across the powerblock, including instrument air, chemical injection, HVAC, and firewater, from P&ID development through commissioning support.
• Question every inherited requirement and trace every specification to its origin.
• Drive tradeoffs from first principles to deliver aggressively scalable solutions, not just technically adequate designs.
• Standardize utility system design across all power plants, ensuring each plant benefits from previous decisions.
• Ensure every design change accounts for its downstream impact on construction, commissioning, and operations.
• Close the feedback loop between design and field execution aggressively, learning from every installation and applying it forward.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level