Role : Process Design Engineer – Capture Engineer

Department: Product Development

Job type: Full time - On site

Location: Eastern Bypass Rd, Ruai – Nairobi, Kenya, with regular travel to project and operating sites
Technical scope: Gas separation , regeneration, thermal utilities and water/wastewater systems

About Octavia Carbon

Octavia Carbon is the Global South’s first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company, dedicated to combating climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. We design and build low-cost DAC technology that leverages Kenya's geothermal energy, geology, and talent to radically accelerate DAC down the cost curve. Our mission is to reverse climate change by removing billions of tons of carbon dioxide from the air by 2050.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Process Design Engineer to design , commission and improve the systems that capture CO₂ from ambient air and regenerate our sorbent . You will own assigned systems from concept through detailed engineering, procurement, commissioning and performance validation, covering the process from 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. You will work closely with the CO₂ Systems Engineer and the Procurement, Operations, Product and R&D teams .

Key responsibilities

• Process design : Develop design bases, PFDs, P&IDs, heat and mass bala nces and specifications , and define reactor, sorbent an d regener ation requirements from concept to detailed engineering.

• Capture-cycle optimisation : Develop and
  optimise ad sorption – d esorption sequences and design experiments to improve capture performance .

• Utilities and water: Defi ne st eam, thermal-fluid, cooling-water, geothermal integration and water/wastewater requirements, with a focus on heat and water recovery.

• Perform a nce and troubleshooting : Analyse plant data , le ad root cause i nvesti gations and quantify improvement opportunities .

• Controls , safety and commissioning : Define control na rratives an d interlocks , take part in hazard studies, and lead commissioning and performance validation .

• Procurement and delivery: Evaluate suppliers, d eliver pr ocess inputs on time for Mechanical and Electrical/Cont rols design, and maintain design records.

Qualifications and E xperience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering , Process Engineering or a closely related discipline.

• Proven process design and hands-on plant experience , including commissioning or troubl eshooti ng.

• Strong grounding in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer and process safety .

• Proficiency in Excel and engineering tools ( AutoCAD Plant 3D , EPA NET or A FT Fathom/Arrow desirable ), with clear technical writing .

Additional experience that would be valuable

• Adsorption , sorbent regeneration , steam or geothermal systems, water treatment, pilot plants or Python.

Prior direct air capture experience is a dvanta geous but is not essential.

As part of your application, please complete the challenge attached on the external site and attach your solution by Sunday, 8th November 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Here's the Assessment: Process Design Engineer Assessment

Octavia Carbon offers a competitive salary, a route to company equity, strong growth opportunities and a high degree of professional freedom and responsibility in a fast-paced environment with a steep learning curve.

Octavia Carbon is an equal opportunity employer and especially encourages applications from women, and individuals from diverse socioeconomic, religious and regional backgrounds.