Electra
Associate Director, Mechanical and Automation Engineer
Electra, Boulder, Colorado, United States, 80301
Associate Director, Mechanical and Automation Engineer
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Who We Are We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting‑edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top‑tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.
What You Will Do The Associate Director, Mechanical and Automation Engineer leads Electra’s engineering strategy and execution for industrial plant design, development, and scale‑up from demonstration through full commercial deployment. This role is responsible for the design, optimization, and integration of complex mechanical systems that underpin Electra’s green iron production process.
You will guide a multidisciplinary team and collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure engineering excellence, operational scalability, and alignment with Electra’s long‑term sustainability goals.
Responsibilities Include
Partner with senior leadership to define and execute the industrial plant engineering roadmap aligned with Electra’s strategic objectives
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineers, driving high performance and professional growth
Oversee mechanical, civil, and structural engineering design performed internally or by external partners, ensuring alignment with company standards and technical requirements
Integrate new technologies developed internally into scalable plant systems
Drive cross‑functional collaboration across R&D, Operations, and Manufacturing to deliver seamless plant design and integration
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Lead the design, validation, and optimization of industrial and automation systems for green iron production to meet performance, cost, and sustainability goals
Manage engineering projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget adherence
Provide executive‑level updates and recommendations on project risks, tradeoffs, and performance metrics
Champion engineering best practices in system design, documentation, and validation
Support root‑cause analysis and troubleshooting of complex plant systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, efficiency, and safety
Provide oversight of departmental budgets, timelines, and resource planning
Model and promote a strong safety culture across all teams and projects
What We Need You To Bring To The Team
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
12+ years of industry experience in mechanical or process engineering within industrial, manufacturing, or energy environments
5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and large‑scale system‑level projects
Proven track record in scaling industrial plant systems from pilot to commercial operations
Strong understanding of system integration, testing, and validation principles
Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable engineering programs
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams covering mechanical, civil, structural, and automation disciplines
Proficiency in CAD, FEA, and other relevant engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB)
Executive presence with strong communication, decision‑making, and stakeholder management skills
Advanced project management and organizational abilities to handle multiple, concurrent priorities
Calm under pressure with a solutions‑driven approach
What We Want You To Bring To The Team
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
15+ years of experience in mechanical/process engineering for industrial systems including mineral processing, chemical, or energy plants
Experience leading large, multidisciplinary engineering teams with system‑level project responsibility
Proven track record in scaling pilot plants to commercial production with automation integration
Hands‑on experience with CAD, FEA, MATLAB, 3D scanning, and vision system integration for industrial machinery
Preferred / Nice‑to‑Have:
Experience with Lean 6Sigma, DFSS, APQP, PFMEA, and continuous improvement programs
Background in heavy equipment, fluid handling, thermal systems, and electromechanical controls
Proven experience integrating ERP/PLM systems for engineering release, validation, and change management
ISO9001/AS9100/IATF16949/FDA compliant operations and regulatory expertise
Compensation
The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $150,000–$174,000 and may be more or less depending on skills, experience, and education.
Benefits For You
100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and basic life insurance plans
Reasonable use PTO
$1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account)
Benefits For Your Family
100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, and telemedicine plans
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Benefits For Your Future
401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one
Eligibility for incentive stock options
If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, reach out to us at careers@electra.earth. We’re here to help.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.
Who We Are We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting‑edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top‑tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.
What You Will Do The Associate Director, Mechanical and Automation Engineer leads Electra’s engineering strategy and execution for industrial plant design, development, and scale‑up from demonstration through full commercial deployment. This role is responsible for the design, optimization, and integration of complex mechanical systems that underpin Electra’s green iron production process.
You will guide a multidisciplinary team and collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure engineering excellence, operational scalability, and alignment with Electra’s long‑term sustainability goals.
Responsibilities Include
Partner with senior leadership to define and execute the industrial plant engineering roadmap aligned with Electra’s strategic objectives
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineers, driving high performance and professional growth
Oversee mechanical, civil, and structural engineering design performed internally or by external partners, ensuring alignment with company standards and technical requirements
Integrate new technologies developed internally into scalable plant systems
Drive cross‑functional collaboration across R&D, Operations, and Manufacturing to deliver seamless plant design and integration
Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Lead the design, validation, and optimization of industrial and automation systems for green iron production to meet performance, cost, and sustainability goals
Manage engineering projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget adherence
Provide executive‑level updates and recommendations on project risks, tradeoffs, and performance metrics
Champion engineering best practices in system design, documentation, and validation
Support root‑cause analysis and troubleshooting of complex plant systems
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, efficiency, and safety
Provide oversight of departmental budgets, timelines, and resource planning
Model and promote a strong safety culture across all teams and projects
What We Need You To Bring To The Team
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
12+ years of industry experience in mechanical or process engineering within industrial, manufacturing, or energy environments
5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and large‑scale system‑level projects
Proven track record in scaling industrial plant systems from pilot to commercial operations
Strong understanding of system integration, testing, and validation principles
Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable engineering programs
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams covering mechanical, civil, structural, and automation disciplines
Proficiency in CAD, FEA, and other relevant engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB)
Executive presence with strong communication, decision‑making, and stakeholder management skills
Advanced project management and organizational abilities to handle multiple, concurrent priorities
Calm under pressure with a solutions‑driven approach
What We Want You To Bring To The Team
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
15+ years of experience in mechanical/process engineering for industrial systems including mineral processing, chemical, or energy plants
Experience leading large, multidisciplinary engineering teams with system‑level project responsibility
Proven track record in scaling pilot plants to commercial production with automation integration
Hands‑on experience with CAD, FEA, MATLAB, 3D scanning, and vision system integration for industrial machinery
Preferred / Nice‑to‑Have:
Experience with Lean 6Sigma, DFSS, APQP, PFMEA, and continuous improvement programs
Background in heavy equipment, fluid handling, thermal systems, and electromechanical controls
Proven experience integrating ERP/PLM systems for engineering release, validation, and change management
ISO9001/AS9100/IATF16949/FDA compliant operations and regulatory expertise
Compensation
The anticipated starting pay range for this position is $150,000–$174,000 and may be more or less depending on skills, experience, and education.
Benefits For You
100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, short‑term disability, long‑term disability, and basic life insurance plans
Reasonable use PTO
$1,800 in annual employer HSA contributions (health savings account)
Benefits For Your Family
100% paid premiums across all medical, dental, vision, and telemedicine plans
12 weeks of paid parental leave
Benefits For Your Future
401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions which vest 100% on day one
Eligibility for incentive stock options
If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, reach out to us at careers@electra.earth. We’re here to help.
#J-18808-Ljbffr