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Direct Air Capture Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Director of Test Engineering

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$190K - $205K/yr

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 ...

... 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 ...

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

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

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 ...

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

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

By leveraging critical thinking skills, the student will contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies that Oxy is developing, such as Direct Air Capture or Direct Lithium Extraction ...

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

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

By leveraging critical thinking skills, the student will contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies that Oxy is developing, such as Direct Air Capture or Direct Lithium Extraction ...

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Direct Air Capture information

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How much do direct air capture jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 11, 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 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 some common challenges faced by professionals working in Direct Air Capture operations?

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 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Direct Air Capture Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,863 per year, or $16.8 per hour.
Director of Test Engineering

Director of Test Engineering

Aircapture

Berkeley, CA • On-site

$190K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

At Aircapture we're creating technology to solve what we believe to be our lifetime's most pressing challenge: the climate crisis. We supply commercial and industrial customers with clean CO₂ captured from our atmosphere to radically improve the environment, our economy, and our lives. We value building a team of people who represent diverse backgrounds-be it through education, gender, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation-to reach our goals. Thank you for considering us.
You will lead the test and validation function that sits at the heart of Aircapture's path from R&D to commercial technology. 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 understanding, repeatability, and reliability are not incidental concerns at Aircapture, they are central to how we learn, improve, and ultimately scale. If you are a hands-on technical leader who wants to build something lasting at a groundbreaking climate technology company, we want to hear from you.
This role is onsite at our development and production facility in Berkeley, California.
Salary: $190,000-205,000 per year
What You'll Do Here
  • Own and operate test labs, developing data and reporting standards across test platforms
  • Lead and develop a high-performing test and reliability team, setting priorities, driving execution, and establishing best practices as Aircapture scales
  • Drive system-level testing of FOAK DAC prototypes, including design envelope and full performance characterization
  • Define and own system performance metrics, partnering cross-functionally as the authority on system performance and data interpretation
  • Responsible for data pipeline for test and operational data, from instrumentation to historian and analysis
  • Design and implement HALT/ALT testing of components and sub-systems
  • Build Aircapture's quality foundation including repeatability, FAT requirements, and scaling toward manufacturing
  • Develop data-driven reliability models, including degradation, design-life validation, predictive maintenance inputs
  • Translate test results into actionable feedback loops for design and operations

Your Skills and Experience Include
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, Master's preferred
  • 8+ years in test engineering, systems testing, or experimental R&D with end-to-end ownership of hardware test programs
  • Experience managing and developing engineering teams, including hiring, mentoring, and driving performance in fast-paced, technical environments
  • Strong physics-based understanding of thermofluid and electro-mechanical systems
  • Proven ability to define meaningful performance metrics and build systems to measure them
  • Strong instrumentation and Data Acquisition expertise, coupled with advanced analytical skills and ability to work closely with data engineering
  • Background in quality/reliability systems, such as FAT, reliability testing, failure analysis, early-stage QMS
  • Self-directed and decisive in ambiguous environments; full ownership from scoping through delivery
  • Excellent cross-functional communicator; translates data into insight and pushes back when needed
  • Bonus: industrial or energy hardware, scaling test/quality functions, reliability engineering or predictive maintenance

Aircapture strives to create a safe, inclusive, equitable, and diverse workplace. Every teammate adds to who we are, diversifying our ideas, experiences, and viewpoints and making us stronger. We hope you feel welcome here.