Project Engineer
Limelight Steel
Location
Headquarters
Employment Type
Full time
Department
Engineering
Project Engineer
About Limelight Steel
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.
Role
Limelight Steel is seeking a Project Engineer to spearhead the development of critical hardware at the heart of our Laser Furnace. In this leadership role, you will guide a team of engineers while applying deep expertise in mechanical design, thermal modeling, and materials engineering to deliver safe, scalable, and robust molten metal ladles and high-temperature vacuum vessels. You will set technical direction, ensure engineering excellence, and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology platform.
Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a cross-functional team of equipment design engineers.
Own and guide the design of molten-metal hardware, ensuring mechanical integrity, safety, and scalability under extreme operating conditions.
Drive the integration of optics, sensors, vacuum sealing surfaces, and high-temperature mechanical structures into next-generation laser furnace systems.
Oversee the design and development of vacuum vessels, ensuring robustness under thermal, mechanical, and pressure gradients.
Partner with pyrometallurgical engineers, safety experts, and process teams to integrate industry best practices and push forward innovation in high-temperature equipment design.
Establish engineering standards, design review processes, and validation protocols to balance speed, rigor, and safety in hardware development.
Influence strategic decision-making on equipment architecture and scale-up pathways for pilot and commercial systems.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related field (advanced degree preferred).
10+ years of industry experience, including 3+ years in a technical leadership role.
Demonstrated success leading design teams through the development, build, and commissioning of complex industrial equipment.
Expertise in thermal modeling (e.g., COMSOL) and finite element analysis, with strong intuition for applying results to design decisions.
Proven experience with vacuum sealing systems (O-rings, metal seals, feedthroughs) and high-temperature industrial equipment (furnaces, kilns, reactors, or vacuum systems).
Deep knowledge of industrial safety standards and regulatory requirements.
Strong fundamentals in heat transfer, stress analysis, and materials selection for high-temperature applications.
Ability to lead across disciplines in a fast-moving, startup environment, with a track record of translating early concepts into deployed systems.
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 (accrued according to number of hours worked)
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
Compensation
Salary range for this role is $190,000-230,000, plus meaningful equity. Final compensation will be based on experience.