Assoc. Professor - Industrial Engineering jobs in Boulder, CO

About Charm

Our mission is to reverse climate change and return the atmosphere to 280 ppm CO₂, profitably. We convert waste biomass into carbon-rich bio-oil and inject it into permanent, underground storage as carbon removal, or reform the bio-oil to produce syngas for fossil-free steel.

Our carbon removal pathway took off in 2020 with initial purchases from customers like Stripe, Shopify & Microsoft. In 2021 and 2022 we delivered thousands of tons of carbon removal via off-the-shelf pathways, and also deployed our first R&D prototype pyrolyzer of our own. In the next 18 months, we'll build and deploy the next pyrolyzer revision, demonstrate our fossil-free ironmaking pilot, substantially expand our operations in Colorado and put thousands of tonnes of CO₂e underground.

We're looking to expand our team of ambitious creative and hands-on engineers, fabricators, operators, and forward-thinking humans. We value psychological safety and collaboration. We take calculated risks and don't sweep mistakes under the rug; instead, we pin them to the wall and learn from them. We value that everyone’s unique backgrounds and perspectives shape their work. We encourage you to read our company values.

Come help us reverse climate change. Gigatons or bust!

About the Role

As Charm matures its pyrolyzer and injection operations, we need an engineering resource on the operations team that can help solve urgent production bottlenecks. Over the years, the operations team has leaned on teammates in engineering and research to consult on the roadblocks that have fallen in our path. We’ve reached a size at which our field team– that is, the folks who are delivering carbon removal– need a dedicated engineering resource. 

Initially, this role will work with third party engineering resources to solve the operations team’s most pressing problems. With time, it is expected that the person in this role will lead a team of cross functional engineers. This team will function as a swiss army knife-like engineering resource. This role reports to the Head of Operations and will be expected to work with third parties and multiple teams within Charm including injection operations, pyrolyzer operations, facilities, engineering and research.

• Design, build and commission bio-oil pumping, storage and transloading facilities at pyrolyzer and injection pads to ensure safe and efficient movement of bio-oil between the pyrolyzer’s offtake vessel and the wellbore.
• Design, build and commission bio-oil preprocessing hardware for scaled injection operations.
• Provide engineering support for all hardware after the pyrolyzer’s offtake vessels whether designed & built in-house or by third parties.
• Define and implement automation to improve safety and minimize cost of storage, transportation and injection of bio-oil. Provide ongoing support and act on feedback from the boots-on-the-ground operating team.
• Ensure preprocessing achieves regulatory and operational requirements. Collaborate with research on new process development, as needed.
• Perform FMEA on all new hardware in collaboration with process safety professionals. Design and implement safeguards for scaled systems including engineered safeguards and administrative safeguards (i.e. good operating documentation is required). Ensure risks are mitigated and injection and transload operators implement necessary safeguards. Work cross functionally to develop and implement training on these systems.

• Strong understanding of engineered safeguards. Familiarity with safe work practices and comfortable using Stop Work Authority.
• Proven ability to lead a fast-paced cross-functional team through a myriad of different rapid design challenges requiring coordination across different skill sets (mechanical, electrical, controls, fabrication).
• Top-notch electromechanical troubleshooting skills and an eagerness to learn about all aspects of our process.
• Hands on skills to execute on the solutions that are needed.
• Experience developing written documentation, e.g. work instructions, SOPs.
• Ability to collaborate with individuals with a wide range of experience and knowledge.
• Have a proactive, professional and “can do” attitude.
• A demonstrated passion for contributing to our mission.
• Comfortable with traveling up to 50% of the time.

• Experience with thermal, electrical and/or mechanical processes and hardware such as work experience in oil & gas, aerospace, automotive or chemicals manufacturing
• While not a requirement, experience working around hazardous gasses, combustibles, and/or high energy systems would be considered an asset

What We Offer

· Stock options

· Health benefits (medical, dental, vision)

· Traditional and Roth 401(k)

· Paid time off, including parental leave

- A yearly professional development stipend

· Healthy snacks and lunches at a sweet workplace with lots of space inside and out

· A chance to pivot into a role in climate!

Visa Sponsorship Policy

Since we are a small startup, certain accommodations for visa sponsorship may not be within our capability. At this time, Charm Industrial is only sponsoring E3 and TN visas.

Our Commitment

Charm Industrial is an equal opportunity employer with a firm commitment to growing our team in an inclusive way, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, medical condition, age, or veteran status. The consequences of climate change inherently affect some more than others, and we need a diverse team to help us save our little planet most effectively & justly. We are excited about all of those who choose to apply, and for those who end up joining us, to see how you better us as a team and company. We are more than the sum of our parts.