VP of Engineering

Job Description

VP Technology & Engineering

1. Role Context (Why this role exists)

• Client transitioning from pilot commercial deployment
• There is a need to industrialize and standardize our technology offering. Currently its been be-spoke.
• The goal is to move from building be-spoke projects and systems to standardised designs & packages that enable future partners deploy the technology.
• Enable CTO to focus on strategy partnerships and expansion
• This role owns the execution of technology development scalable systems
• Shift engineering focus from primarily project delivery to building technology and systems ready for deployment.

2. Mission

• Leads and transitions scientific breakthroughs from concepts into repeatable scalable and deployable systems.
• Build the foundation for scaling globally.
• Owns TRL 38 (concept field-ready systems) following scientific validation.

3. The candidate would build for long term technology licensing

• Licensing requires establishing standardized well-defined modular systems.
• This candidate would lead a team to build:
  • Engineering blueprints
  • Modular system architectures
  • Performance envelopes and specs
• The long-term goal is to move from We build be-spoke projects and systems Others can deploy our technology with limited reliance on us.

4. What success looks like (1236 months)

• Defined productized systems (Platforms and architecture) for commercial scale.
• Deliver standard engineering packages (not one-off designs) for pilot and commercial scale.
• Demonstrate cost reduction pathways (CAPEX & OPEX) in line with target unit costs.
• Demonstrate reliable systems performance in the field.
• Build and coach engineering and technology teams.
• Established clear ownership accountability and work flows for transition through TRL stages 3 8.
• Clear handover-ready packages for partners / customers.

5. Leadership Profile

Systems Leader

• Demonstrated experience in building:
  • engineering systems
  • product architectures
  • scalable processes
• Thinks in platforms not just projects.

People Leader

• Demonstrated experience in coaching builds and scaling multidisciplinary teams.

Problem Leader

• Comfortable with ambiguity and FOAK challenges.
• Comfortable moving forward with uncertain science practical solutions.
• Balances speed vs engineering rigor.

6. Experience we are targeting

• Has experience / exposure scaling FOAK hardware commercial ready systems
• Demonstrated experience building modular / standardized systems
• Experience & knowledge of subsurface is a plus.
• Background in: Energy / oil & gas / CCUS / process industries / climate tech
• Experience across R&D engineering deployment is a plus.

7. Seniority level

• VP-level role
• Demonstrated experience leading teams (not just individuals). Current team size reporting into this role would be 9 11 members.
• 1520 years of experience

9. Ideal candidate profile

• Founding employee / leader in a deep tech startup that scaled
• Engineering leader in energy transition tech company
• Process/technology leader from industrial tech company
• Someone who has built products and not just projects
• Not looking for pure academic / R&D profiles / Corporate profiles with no recent hands-on experience.