Role OverviewWe are looking for Technical Project Lead to drive the engineering and execution of Arbor's first-of-a-kind supercritical CO₂ power plant, from front-end engineering through construction, commissioning, and first power.
Arbor acts as its own integrator, so this is an engineer's role first: someone with deep roots in process or power plant engineering who understands every dependency on a project and knows when to deploy each part of the team.
You'll start hands-on in El Segundo authoring plant-level process design during FEED, then shift toward integration and field leadership, following the plant to site through commissioning and handover to a locally hired operations team. You'll work closely with turbomachinery, combustion, controls, electrical, and test engineers to deliver the plant that proves carbon-neutral baseload power at scale.
This role is based at Arbor's headquarters in El Segundo, CA.
Responsibilities- Own the integrated technical execution plan: map dependencies across disciplines, permitting, and procurement, and sequence work by what each decision actually needs.
- Author or direct plant-level process design (PFDs, heat and material balances, P&IDs, relief and utility design), integrating Arbor's core technology with balance-of-plant systems.
- Identify critical-path equipment early and lead long-lead procurement: specifications, bid evaluations, vendor design reviews, and factory acceptance tests.
- Scope, select, and manage engineering firms, fabricators, and construction contractors; review their work in depth and own the interfaces between packages.
- Lead process safety (HAZID, HAZOP/LOPA, PSSR) and build constructability, modularization, and commissioning sequence into the design from the start.
- Lead on-site technical execution through construction, commissioning, first fire, and performance testing.
- Partner with project management and supply chain on estimates, schedule, and contracting strategy, and carry lessons into standardized designs for the units that follow.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or related Engineering field.
- 8+ years of experience in process or power plant engineering, including carrying at least one pilot, demonstration, or commercial facility from front-end design through commissioning and startup with significant time on site.
- Strong process engineering fundamentals-heat and material balances, P&IDs, equipment specification, relief design, HAZOP/LOPA-and working knowledge of ASME B31.3, BPVC Section VIII, and API 520/521.
- Enough breadth across mechanical, electrical, controls, and civil disciplines to spot cross-discipline dependencies and critically review others' work.
- Owner's-side experience directing engineering firms, vendors, and contractors, with a well-formed point of view on how contracting strategy and sequencing drive project cost and schedule.
- Ability to travel up to 75% during construction and commissioning (under 20% during engineering); permanent relocation is not required.
- Strong ownership mentality and sound judgment with incomplete information in a small, dynamic team.
Preferred Qualifications- First-of-a-kind or new-technology scale-up experience where you carried both process design and project execution.
- Experience with gas turbine or combined-cycle plants, high-pressure rotating equipment, air separation, CO₂ compression, or supercritical CO₂ systems.
- Experience with owner-integrated, EPCM, multi-package, or modular execution as alternatives to lump-sum EPC.
- Operations or commissioning roots in a PSM-covered process facility or power plant.
- Process simulation (Aspen HYSYS, Aspen Plus) and scripting (Python, MATLAB) skills.
Benefits & Compensation- Pre-IPO stock options
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance (Arbor covers 90% for employees)
- Basic life insurance fully covered
- Health savings account (HSA) with matching
- Flexible savings account (FSA)
- Unlimited PTO
- 12+ company holidays, including Earth Day!
- 401(k)
- Commuter benefits
- Annual learning and development stipend
- And more!
Base Pay: $180,000 - $210,000 USD/year. The salary is subject to the applicant's skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location.
