Process Design Engineer (Capture Engineer)

About the role

Octavia Carbon, the Global South's first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company, is looking for a Process Design Engineer to design, commission and improve the systems that capture CO2 from ambient air and regenerate its sorbent. The engineer owns assigned systems from concept through detailed engineering, procurement, commissioning and performance validation, covering air intake to the reactor outlet flange, plus the thermal utilities and water systems serving the reactors, with a focus on reducing energy use, water demand and cost per tonne of CO2 captured. The role sits in Product Development and is based in Ruai, Nairobi, with regular travel to project and operating sites.

Key responsibilities

• Develop design bases, PFDs, P&IDs, heat and mass balances and specifications, and define reactor, sorbent and regeneration requirements from concept to detailed engineering.
• Develop and optimise adsorption-desorption sequences and design experiments to improve capture performance.
• Define steam, thermal-fluid, cooling-water, geothermal integration and water/wastewater requirements, with a focus on heat and water recovery.
• Analyse plant data, lead root cause investigations and quantify improvement opportunities.
• Define control narratives and interlocks, take part in hazard studies, and lead commissioning and performance validation.
• Evaluate suppliers, deliver process inputs on time for Mechanical and Electrical/Controls design, and maintain design records.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Proven process design and hands-on plant experience, including commissioning or troubleshooting.
• Strong grounding in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer and process safety.
• Additional experience in adsorption, sorbent regeneration, steam or geothermal systems, water treatment, pilot plants or Python is valuable; prior direct air capture experience is advantageous but not essential.

Required skills

• Proficiency in Excel and engineering tools such as AutoCAD Plant 3D.
• EPANET or AFT Fathom/AFT Arrow desirable.
• Clear technical writing.

Candidates must complete an online assessment before applying, with the solution due by 8 November 2026. The company offers a competitive salary, a route to company equity, strong growth opportunities and professional freedom in a fast-paced environment.