SkyNano is a fast-growing startup transforming carbon emissions into value. We’ve developed and patented an electrochemical process to produce highly valued, low-cost carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from CO₂ — unlocking scalable, sustainable materials for the future while solving real industrial gaps in the marketplace today. As we scale our technology from pilot to commercial manufacturing, we're building a world-class team of innovators, problem-solvers, and builders passionate about tackling big industrial challenges head-on. At SkyNano, you’ll find a mission-driven culture that values technical creativity, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and continuous learning. Your work will directly shape the success of a first-of-a-kind (FOAK) technology with real-world impact.

🧪 Position Summary

We are seeking a Director of Engineering with deep mechanical engineering technical skills, a fervor for taking novel technologies from concept to commercialization and a passion for developing an engineering team to successfully bring a breakthrough, clean tech, high temperature manufacturing process to market. This is an opportunity to design from first principals as the director leads the engineering team through the scale-up and optimization of critical systems and solves complex challenges of SkyNano’s CNT production platform. This role is ideal for a mid-career engineering leader (15+ years of experience) who has been involved, end-to-end in chemical plant build projects in the past—whether as a lead or in a critical supporting role—and who thrives on achieving results, building high-performance teams, and delivering and translating technical excellence into tangible business outcomes. The perfect candidate is passionate about coaching, developing engineers, and managing a cross-functional interdisciplinary team to successful outcomes on impact-driven work.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership – Provide strategic and technical leadership for all engineering functions and disciplines, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Project Execution - Establish clear structures and processes to guide project execution and design practices

Manufacturing Scale-Up & Process Optimization

Drive process development and continuous improvement initiatives to increase efficiency, safety, and scalability.
Lead the integration of high-power electrical infrastructure essential for our high-temperature electrochemical manufacturing process. The ideal candidate will oversee or lead the seamless integration of power-intensive manufacturing equipment, ensuring it incorporates advanced process control and automation systems addressing the complexity and critical nature of electrical and automation integration in scaling a sophisticated chemical manufacturing process.

Plant Design & Construction

Lead or oversee major aspects of chemical plant builds and complex process facility construction, from concept through commissioning.
Beyond construction and optimization of a chemical process facility, will lead and oversee the development and monitoring of sophisticated, high-throughput manufacturing (growth) processes with extensive automation—where the chemical plant serves as one critical part of a larger, integrated production system

Team Development – People Management including coaching and mentoring a multidisciplinary engineering team; fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and growth.

Cross-Functional Collaboration – Partner with R&D, operations, and executive leadership to align engineering priorities with company goals.

Safety & Compliance – Ensure engineering projects meet or exceed all relevant environmental, safety, and regulatory standards.

🎓 Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related mechanical field (required); advanced degree preferred.
15+ years of engineering experience, including significant leadership and people management responsibilities.
US citizenship required (due to federal contract work)
Demonstrated success in process scale-up and systems troubleshooting
Proficiency with process simulation, design tools, and manufacturing best practices
Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills
Direct experience participating in chemical plant builds—may include serving in a lead role or in key supporting capacities.
Strong background in mechanical systems, process equipment, and plant layout.
Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams through growth and change, using coaching and feedback to drive excellence.
Experience in a startup or high-growth environment is a plus.

⭐ Key Attributes

Passionate about technical excellence and operational results.
Natural mentor and team builder who invests in people’s growth.
Hands-on problem solver with strong project management skills.
Comfortable in fast-paced, ambiguous, and evolving environments.

💡 Why Join SkyNano?

Join a mission-driven team scaling a breakthrough carbon-to-materials technology
Work on a first-of-its-kind process at the cutting edge of clean tech
Enjoy a collaborative start-up culture with growth, impact, and flexibility
Competitive compensation + benefits (fully paid health insurance, vision + dental, 2X annual company-wide shut-downs for over 1 week each, 401(k) match, PTO, relocation assistance, paid family leave)
Flexible M–F hours (no regular nights/weekends/on-call; travel not required)
Optional 9-80 workweek with every other Friday off

📬 How to Apply

Please submit your resume and a brief cover letter outlining your experience and interest in SkyNano here on LinkedIn. SkyNano LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for innovation, sustainability, and impact.

Apply now

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