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.