Engineering Technician

Zero Carbon Systems seeks an Engineering Technician to support the mechanical engineering team in building, modifying, and troubleshooting the test rigs and prototype equipment behind our Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. Working side by side with our senior mechanical engineers, you will turn drawings and models into working hardware - assembling instrumented pneumatic and hydraulic test rigs, fabricating custom parts, and helping run the tests that validate new designs. This is a hands-on role for someone who is comfortable moving between a fabrication bench, a 3D printer, and a live test rig in the same day, and who takes pride in clean, leak-tight, well-documented work. As a startup, we are looking for a flexible team member who can shift priorities quickly and contribute wherever the build schedule needs them. This is a full-time, on-site position on a standard day shift based in Brighton, CO, reporting to the Director of Mechanical Engineering. Responsibilities Include: • Assemble test rigs, sub-systems, and prototype equipment from engineering drawings, Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), and 3D CAD models. • Build and modify pneumatic and hydraulic test rigs operating in the 10 to 200 psi range, including routing, supporting, and leak-checking complete fluid circuits. • Fabricate stainless steel tubing assemblies - cutting, deburring, bending, and making up compression, NPT, and related fittings to leak-tight standards. • Fabricate custom parts and fixtures using shop hand tools, power tools, and machine tools. • Produce parts on FDM 3D printers, including preparing and slicing models, selecting print parameters, post-processing, and assembling printed components into larger structures. • Troubleshoot existing rigs to isolate leaks, instrumentation faults, and mechanical failures, and carry out repairs and rebuilds. • Support test campaigns by setting up instrumentation, collecting data, and maintaining accurate records of configurations, runs, and results. • Work with engineers to identify design, operability, and maintainability issues discovered during build and test, and propose practical improvements. • Maintain shop equipment, tooling, and consumable inventories of fittings, tubing, and hardware. • Follow and help enforce company and OSHA safety procedures, including PPE, lockout/tagout, and safe handling of pressurized systems. • Contribute to clear build documentation, including as-built markups, assembly notes, and Standard Operating Procedures. Requirements Include: • Associate's degree in Engineering Technology or a related field with 3+ years of relevant hands-on experience, or 10+ years of experience in an R&D, prototype, or fabrication environment. • Ability to read and work from engineering drawings, PFDs, and P&IDs. • Demonstrated safe and proficient use of hand tools and power tools. • Experience assembling fluid systems and working with common plumbing components and fittings, including compression fittings, NPT fittings, and stainless steel tubing fabrication. • Experience building, assembling, or maintaining pneumatic and/or hydraulic systems. • Experience producing parts on FDM 3D printers, including slicing and print preparation. • Experience collecting test data and keeping accurate, organized records. • Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work methodically from symptom to root cause. • Ability to work independently and as part of a small, fast-moving team, and to shift focus as priorities change. • Clear verbal and written communication skills when working with engineers and operators. Preferred Qualifications: • Familiarity with the operation of manual machine tools, including lathe, mill, and band saw. • Welding experience of any kind; TIG welding on stainless steel is most preferred. • Experience maintaining and calibrating FDM 3D printers. • Familiarity with CAD software, ideally Autodesk Inventor, though experience with any package is valuable. • Safety certifications such as OSHA 10/30, HazCom, PPE, spill response, or formal lockout/tagout training. • Experience in a startup, R&D, or first-of-a-kind build environment. • Experience in chemical process, carbon capture, or other industrial pilot plant settings. Physical Requirements: • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally. • Ability to stand, bend, kneel, and work in a light manufacturing environment for a full shift. • Ability to work on-site at ZCS's Brighton, CO location on a standard day shift. $38 - $43 an hour