Senior R&D Engineer-Membrane Filtration & Water Treatment

About Mission Zero Technologies
We are a London-based climate tech startup working to reinvent carbon for a thriving planet. Since 2020, we have rapidly pioneered the world's most versatile direct air capture (DAC) technology to recover historic CO₂ emissions from the atmosphere, anywhere at any scale. Backed by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, the XPRIZE foundation, Stripe, and the UK Government, we have moved a brand new climate technology from lab to commercial plants in under three years to rapidly empower carbon removal and sustainable utilisation.

About the role
You have the opportunity to join MZT at a crucial juncture in our company's evolution - transitioning from an innovative R&D startup into a global player ready to implement and scale our DAC technology. As a senior engineer, you will be instrumental in guiding the ideation, design, development, and implementation of key separations technologies into our DAC solutions. Reporting to the R&D lead, this is a senior and influential role where you will work closely with scientists, engineers, operators, and technicians in R&D, across Engineering-to-Operations (E2O), and the wider product team. This role requires expertise across a broad range of separations technologies backed with years of experience designing, developing, and deploying these systems across small and large scales. This role will be based primarily in our London headquarters, with periodic assignments to our various emerging UK sites, local and global suppliers, and further international sites as we expand globally.

What you'll be doing
- Contribute to innovation in the Separations domain by identifying, evaluating, and adapting existing and novel separation technologies to enhance our Direct Air Capture (DAC) product offering.
- Support the development and execution of the strategy for separations technology, with a focus on ion management, gas/liquid separations, solvent longevity, solution separation and filtration, and water management.
- Work closely with Air Contacting and Electrochemistry teams to ensure an integrated approach to process development across the entire DAC system.
- Leverage technologies such as reverse osmosis, forward osmosis, nano/micro/ultrafiltration, membrane degassing, ion exchange, and other separation processes to enhance DAC products.
- Assist in the implementation and scaling of these technologies from lab to pilot to commercial scale, optimizing for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
- Conduct research and development in membrane separation, gas-liquid separation, and water treatment technologies to address specific technical challenges.
- Analyze performance data from test stands, pilot operations, and plant facilities to identify improvement opportunities and develop solutions to enhance system efficiency.
- Apply expertise in membrane science, contributing to membrane analysis, characterization, and quantification to drive performance improvements and support technology selection.
- Stay informed on advancements in separation technology and contribute to patents and scientific publications related to DAC applications.

What you'll need to be successful in this role
- Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field, with 3-5 years of industry experience in developing and implementing separation technologies.
- Background in industries involving liquid processing technologies such as water treatment, waste management, or product separations.
- Strong knowledge of membrane science, including analysis, characterization, and quantification techniques.
- Experience supporting industrial projects from proof-of-concept to pilot or commercial scale, with the ability to balance scientific, product, and business constraints.
- Problem-solving skills with experience working on complex, multi-faceted projects in uncertain environments and translating findings into practical outcomes.
- Effective communication skills to present technical information to stakeholders and collaborate with external partners (suppliers, consultants, universities, contractors).
- Ability to work cross-functionally to align outcomes with organizational needs.
- Adaptability and willingness to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with potential for growth into leadership roles in the future.
- Ability to navigate highly ambiguous technical challenges.

Ideally you'll also have
- Exposure to the carbon capture or the clean energy sector, with familiarity in industry challenges and opportunities.
- Hands-on experience with separation technologies beyond membranes, such as chemical absorption and electrochemistry.
- A record of patents or peer-reviewed publications in separation technologies.
- Proficiency in process modelling, simulation, and techno-economic analysis of separation technologies.
- A network of industry contacts and experience managing research partnerships or securing research funding.

What we can offer you
- 30 days of Annual Leave
- 3 months Paternity/Maternity Leave
- £500 annual Learning & Development Grant
- Unlimited mental health support
- Employee Share Options Scheme
- Christmas holidays office closure
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employer-matched contributions to global re-wilding programme
- Opportunities to directly impact where our company is headed
- A high-growth, high-trust environment that encourages bold creativity

At Mission Zero, we value diversity of cultural backgrounds, experience, and perspectives, and leverage these qualities to create exceptional outcomes. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, sex, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, age, disability, citizenship, marital, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy or related condition, or any other basis as protected by applicable law. Please do not hesitate to let us know if you have a disability or additional need that requires accommodation.

Our Hiring Process
Kindly allow us up to 2 weeks to review your application. Providing both of our schedules align, the total hiring process should take 4-6 weeks total to wrap up.
- Application review
- Recruiter / HR screening interview (30 minutes)
- Interview with R&D Lead / Principal Scientist(s)
- Plum Assessment
- Short case assignment and competencies (3 hours max. Ideally in person in London - travel paid for)
- Final interview - CTO / Team Lead (30 mins)