1

Direct Air Capture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Carbon management: policies to help advance carbon capture and storage technologies including direct air capture and nature-based solutions * Climate and trade: policies that illuminate or leverage ...

New

Senior Data Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

You will shape the data foundation that powers the technology of our lifetime, owning the pipelines, models, and analyses that turn operational data from our Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems into the ...

Deep Sky is on a mission to accelerate the world's transition to carbon removal by developing and operating direct air capture (DAC) facilities. They are seeking a Software Engineer to own the user ...

Owning system-level performance testing, you will define how we measure and understand our Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems, building a world‑class quality and reliability capability. Performance ...

Senior Data Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

You will shape the data foundation that powers the technology of our lifetime, owning the pipelines, models, and analyses that turn operational data from our Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems into the ...

... direct air capture) and LNG receiving and distribution infrastructure (Regas terminals, FSRU, Break Bulk) as business strategy dictates. Position Description Essential Functions Reasonable ...

This is a very exciting time to join Aircapture as we expand our market share and revolutionize Direct Air Capture ("DAC") technology. If you want to have a major impact at a groundbreaking climate ...

... direct air capture) and LNG receiving and distribution infrastructure (Regas terminals, FSRU, Break Bulk) as business strategy dictates. Position Description Essential Functions Reasonable ...

... direct air capture) and LNG receiving and distribution infrastructure (Regas terminals, FSRU, Break Bulk) as business strategy dictates. Position Description Essential Functions Reasonable ...

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$165K - $185K/yr

This is a very exciting time to join Aircapture as we expand our market share and revolutionize Direct Air Capture ("DAC") technology. If you want to have a major impact at a groundbreaking climate ...

NY · On-site

$85 - $105/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 ...

New

Research Scientist

Brighton, CO · On-site

$85 - $105/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 ...

New

Experience in industrial coating, catalyst coatings, carbon capture, Direct Air Capture, sorbent/absorption systems, or related environmental technologies * Experience with DOE, statistical analysis ...

Showing results 21-40

Direct Air Capture information

See salary details

$8

$16

$21

How much do direct air capture jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for direct air capture in the United States is $16.76, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.51 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

More about Direct Air Capture jobs

What cities are hiring for Direct Air Capture jobs?

Cities with the most Direct Air Capture job openings:

What states have the most Direct Air Capture jobs?

States with the most job openings for Direct Air Capture jobs include:

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

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

Infographic showing various Direct Air Capture job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,863 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

Senior Process Engineer

Zero Carbon Systems, Inc.

Brighton, CO • On-site

$130K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 hours 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, Process to join a fast growing and flexible team working to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Reporting to the Director of Process Engineering, this role will apply engineering insights and process models to build a demonstration plant for a novel Direct Air Capture (DAC) process for CO₂ removal. The demo will be leveraged to refine the design for scale-up to our full-scale facility. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Brighton, CO.
Responsibilities Include:
  • Identify, analyze, develop, configure, and optimize process improvements for our evolving process design.
  • Support the translation of our conceptual design for a novel process into a working pilot facility.
  • Support interpretation of new equipment design information including P&IDs and 3D CAD for staff and contractors building new rigs.
  • Design experiments and tests and analyze results from pilot runs and lab experiments.
  • Apply statistical analysis tools to the visualization and analysis of experimental and process data, and to the development of correlations to summarize that data.
  • Engage in Design Risk Assessments including appropriate HAZID and HAZOP analyses.
  • Evaluate pilot and production equipment's overall performance, reliability, and safety.
  • Alter and modify designs to meet requirements and to eliminate malfunctions.
  • Prepare engineering reports and documentation.

Requirements Include:
  • Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical, Process, or Mechanical Engineering with 5 to 10+ years of experience.
  • Competency in the field of chemical engineering process operations involving heat transfer, mass transfer, fluid and gas flow, and separation techniques.
  • Broad experience in process operation and troubleshooting in the chemical, biological, or agrifood space.
  • Previous experience working in a process engineering capacity within a chemical, biotech, agrifood, or oil and gas plant.
  • Comfortable providing support and oversight to operators.
  • Experience reviewing process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation diagrams, energy and material balances, utility requirements, and control logic for chemical manufacturing systems.
  • An inquisitive nature to drill down into details and apply logical reasoning to develop solutions.
  • Ability to communicate technical knowledge in a clear and understandable manner.
  • Ability to work effectively on cross-functional teams.

Preferred Experience
  • Previous startup experience and comfort working in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to leverage Excel, VBA, Python, or similar tools to solve engineering problems.
  • Experience with EPC management.
  • Experience in data analysis and statistics using tools such as JMP.
  • Experience with temperature swing adsorption, heat pumps, gas compression, and vacuum systems.
  • Experience with process safety reviews and safe design techniques.
  • Experience troubleshooting operational and safety issues.

Physical Requirements:
  • Must be able to lift and carry equipment as necessary.

$130,000 - $150,000 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.