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Senior Mechanical Engineer

Limelight Steel

Limelight Steel

Oakland, CA, USA
Posted on Jul 1, 2025

Limelight Steel is on a mission to eliminate emissions from iron and steelmaking and build a brighter future. 8% of global CO2 emissions come from current fossil-based steelmaking processes - the largest source of industrial emissions today. Limelight Steel's electrified ironmaking technology has the potential to eliminate those emissions, significantly reduce energy use, and produce iron for cheaper than fossil-based methods.

We are a startup in Oakland, CA, backed by industry-leading climate tech investors, looking to grow our team. We are committed to building a diverse and courageous team of people motivated to make a positive impact on the world. We want to hire kind and supportive teammates who have the perseverance to achieve our audacious goal of decarbonizing steel.

Position Summary

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Limelight Steel, you will play a key role in the design and build of a laser furnace pilot plant that produces tonnes of clean metal and scales to a million tonne/year commercial plant.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Lead the mechanical design, build, test, and integration of key laser furnace sub-systems (e.g. material feeding & storage, vacuum & gas handling, and heating & cooling)
  • Create detailed CAD models & drawings, process flow diagrams, and piping & instrumentation diagrams
  • Interface with manufacturers, vendors, machine shops, and contractors to procure, make, and install components.
  • Provide technical oversight during commissioning and troubleshooting

Key Qualifications

  • B.S. in mechanical engineering or related field, and 5+ years of industry experience
  • Strong CAD modeling and GD&T skills
  • Hands-on experience designing, building, and troubleshooting prototypes and industrial equipment
  • Demonstrated experience managing multiple vendors and contractors within budget and schedule.
  • Experience with process equipment, including gas handling (industrial gas storage, transport, blowers, vacuum pumps) and thermal management systems (chillers, heat exchangers, fluid plumbing)
  • Fundamental understanding of heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and solid mechanics
  • Ability to think through problems from first principles
  • Experience working independently, as well as in team-oriented and fast-paced environments

Additional Qualifications Desired

  • Industrial materials or metals processing experience
  • High-temperature furnace experience

Full Time Employee Benefits

  • Competitive stock option package
  • Comprehensive health benefits that include:
    • Full premium coverage for PPO Gold for employees with 80% coverage for dependents
    • Full premium coverage for Vision and Dental for employees
  • Generous time-off schedule
    • 20 days paid time off
    • 10 holidays (personalized to the holidays you observe)
  • Sustainable 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
  • 2x weekly catered team lunches
  • A team of curious, passionate, kind, and courageous people committed to eliminating industrial emissions that contribute to climate change
  • Unparalleled opportunities for growth, leadership, and project ownership in a dynamic and rapidly-growing startup company