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Direct Air Capture Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Brighton, CO · On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

Operator

Brighton, CO · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

Research Scientist

Brighton, CO · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

Operator

Brighton, CO · On-site

$35 - $40/hr

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

Research Scientist

Brighton, CO · On-site

$85K - $105K/yr

About Zero Carbon Systems Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying ...

Systems Engineer

Englewood, CO · On-site

$114K - $142K/yr

This position is also eligible for Air Methods' comprehensive employee benefits package ... This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities such as hiring, firing, and compensation ...

Systems Engineer 2

Englewood, CO · On-site

$94K - $117K/yr

This position is also eligible for Air Methods' comprehensive employee benefits package. * During ... This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities such as hiring, firing, and compensation ...

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Direct Air Capture information

What is direct air capture?

Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a technology designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. Specialized machines use chemical processes to capture CO2, which can then be stored underground or reused in various applications such as making fuels or building materials. DAC is considered an important tool in the fight against climate change, especially for offsetting emissions that are hard to eliminate by other means. However, it is still a developing technology and can be energy-intensive and costly compared to other carbon removal methods.

What skills and qualifications are needed to work in direct air capture?

To excel as a Direct Air Capture Engineer, you need a strong background in chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering, often supported by a relevant degree and experience in process design. Familiarity with gas separation technologies, carbon capture systems, and data analysis software such as Aspen Plus or MATLAB is typically required. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating on multidisciplinary projects and troubleshooting technical challenges. These competencies are crucial for developing efficient capture systems and advancing climate solutions in this rapidly evolving field.

What are common challenges faced by professionals working in direct air capture?

Professionals in Direct Air Capture (DAC) often encounter challenges related to maintaining and optimizing complex machinery in varying environmental conditions. The role typically requires balancing hands-on technical work with continuous process monitoring and troubleshooting to ensure efficient CO₂ capture. Additionally, as the technology is rapidly evolving, team members must stay updated on new advancements and adapt to changes in operational protocols. Close collaboration with engineers, researchers, and maintenance teams is essential to address technical issues and drive process improvements.

What is the difference between Direct Air Capture vs Carbon Capture Technician?

AspectDirect Air CaptureCarbon Capture Technician
CredentialsEngineering degrees, environmental science certificationsTechnical certifications, HVAC or industrial maintenance experience
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, specialized industrial sitesIndustrial plants, power stations, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageClimate change mitigation, environmental startupsFossil fuel industries, power plants, industrial sectors

Both roles involve working with environmental technologies, but Direct Air Capture focuses on developing and operating systems that remove CO2 directly from the atmosphere, often in research or specialized facilities. Carbon Capture Technicians typically maintain and operate equipment at industrial sites to capture emissions from existing processes. While they share some technical skills, their work environments and primary objectives differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Direct Air Capture jobs in Colorado?

For Direct Air Capture jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Direct Air Capture jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Direct Air Capture jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Direct Air Capture jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Direct Air Capture job openings:

Infographic showing various Direct Air Capture job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Brighton, CO • On-site

$140K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Job description

About Zero Carbon Systems
Zero Carbon Systems (ZCS) is a clean energy and direct air capture company on a mission to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future. We are developing and deploying breakthrough technologies designed to reduce atmospheric CO2 at scale, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time.
Backed by mission aligned investors and led by a team of passionate innovators, ZCS sits at the intersection of cutting edge science and real world impact. We are building a diverse, collaborative, and driven team of individuals who share our commitment to excellence, creativity, and the belief that the work we do today will shape the world of tomorrow.
If you are energized by meaningful work and want to be part of a company where your contributions directly advance the clean energy transition, we would love to hear from you.
Position Overview
Zero Carbon Systems seeks a Senior Engineer, Mechanical to support the design, build, validation, and upgrades of process equipment for Direct Air Capture (DAC) machinery and Pilot Plant at ZCS's Brighton, CO location. Additional responsibilities may include remote engineering and design support for the ZCS demonstration plant. This full-time, on-site position reports to the Director of Mechanical Engineering.
Responsibilities Include:
  • Manage and execute full life cycle development of process and mechanical equipment for DAC facilities and test rigs.
  • Build prototype equipment and design, develop, manufacture, and analyze prototypes and revisions of equipment.
  • Support installs of company equipment and facilities, including Factory and Site Acceptance Testing and Installation and Operational Qualification.
  • Prepare cost estimates, budgets, and schedules for the design, fabrication, and procurement of new equipment.
  • Develop experiments, design and procure test rigs, execute testing programs, and document results to validate designs.
  • In conjunction with a project management team, manage internal and external stakeholders to deliver projects on time and on budget.
  • Write technical documentation including Standard Operating Procedures for machine operators.
  • Support continuous improvement by facilitating post-mortem analyses of projects and documenting areas for improvement.
  • Conduct and participate in design reviews and proactively raise concerns and develop solutions to problems.
  • Evaluate data from test rigs, pilot, and production equipment to determine overall performance, reliability, and safety.
  • Oversee and review the work of Junior Engineers and Designers.
  • Ability to travel less than 10% of the time to support offsite activities.

Requirements Include:
  • At least 10 years of progressive responsibility designing, modifying, and upgrading custom industrial equipment.
  • Proficiency in 2D/3D CAD software with Autodesk Inventor and AutoCAD strongly preferred.
  • Experience designing equipment for steam use, chemical process equipment, or HVAC equipment.
  • Experience with engineering design and manufacturing tools including Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, Process Flow Diagrams, Bill of Materials Generation, and Engineering Change Orders.
  • Experience working with remote teams.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills necessary to deliver detailed technical presentations in support of engineering reviews.

Preferred Experience
  • Experience working with or for Engineering, Procurement, and Construction companies.
  • Experience working in the carbon capture space.
  • Experience building first of a kind process equipment.
  • Startup experience and ability to work on cross-functional teams.

Skills
  • Ability to communicate technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner.
  • Ability to shift tasks and projects quickly depending on changing company goals and direction.
  • Ability and experience to run Finite Element Analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations and analyze test data.
  • Ability to write clear and comprehensive technical documentation including machine Standard Operating Procedures, Bill of Materials, and technical engineering drawings.
  • Solid understanding of core concepts including fluid dynamics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and materials science, with working knowledge designing equipment within these concepts.
  • Ability to operate hand and power tools in a safe manner.
  • Ability to work a full shift in a fabrication environment.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering with 7 to 10 years of direct hands-on experience in mechanical systems design, process equipment design, or a similar role.

Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to lift and carry equipment as necessary.
  • Comfortable working in an on-site fabrication environment at ZCS's Brighton, CO location.

$140,000 - $160,000 a year
Zero Carbon Systems is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Your Right to Work
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.