Lydian
Energy Transition
VP,Engineering
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“VP, Engineering at Lydian. Skills: Engineering Execution, FOAK Project Delivery, Modular Design, Process Controls. Own end-to-end engineering execution. Lead engineering development for FOAK capital projects”
What You'll Achieve.
Translation of core technology into real, deployable hardware; Define how we design and build plants; Minimize field work; Reduce installation cost; Accelerate deployment; Ensure alignment with permitting, constructability, and regulatory requirements
Industry & Context.
What They're Looking For.
Must Have
BS or MS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or similar, 15+ years of experience leading engineering for complex process systems, with direct ownership from early design through construction, commissioning, and operations, Proven track record delivering FOAK or early commercial capital projects, including navigating technical uncertainty and execution risk, Deep expertise in process engineering, with working fluency across controls/automation, mechanical systems, and full plant integration
Nice to Have
Familiarity with fuel upgrading technologies (e.g., hydrocracking, isomerization, naphtha upgrading) or closely related refining processes, Experience operating outside of traditional EPC models, with a bias toward modular, internally-driven execution and tight scope control, Experience designing and deploying electrified process systems, including integration with the electrical grid and dynamic/variable operation
What You'll Do.
Own end-to-end engineering execution
Lead engineering development for FOAK capital projects
Partner with project/program managers
Own cost as engineering constraint
Define and implement execution strategies
Decompose systems into vendor scopes
Lead/manage process and controls engineering
Design for fully electrified operation
Ensure systems designed for real operating conditions
Own equipment specification
Lead engineering through fabrication
How You'll Work.
Team & Collaboration
Aligning with project managers on execution strategy; Partner closely with project/program managers
Process & Methodology
Integrate scope, schedule, cost, and risk
Full Job Description
COMPANY OVERVIEW Lydian is developing the lowest cost sustainable fuels from waste CO2, water, and renewable electricity to decarbonize the aviation industry. Our breakthrough technology replaces oil and gas refining with fully electrified, modular, and flexible reactor systems that produce fuel with 95% lower emissions than traditional jet fuel. Since our founding in 2021, Lydian has achieved key milestones in record time, including the production of our first liquid fuel from our pilot system. Lydian is backed by the world's top energy transition investors including Congruent Ventures, Galvanize Climate Solutions, Union Square Ventures, Voyager Ventures, Grok Ventures, and more. We have also earned support from the US Department of Energy, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and have been recognized by Forbes 30u30 and by Silicon Valley Bank's 50 by 2050 List which recognizes the top fifty energy transition companies based on potential impact and scale. POSITION OVERVIEW Lydian is looking for a Vice President of Engineering to lead the development, integration, and execution of our commercial-scale systems — from pilot through FOAK and into scaled deployment. This role owns the translation of our core technology into real, deployable hardware. You will drive stage-gate engineering execution, lead first-of-a-kind (FOAK) system development/deployment, and define how we design and build plants that are modularly designed, radically lower cost, and faster to deploy. A core part of this role is breaking from traditional EPC-led execution models — instead building internally-driven engineering, modular design strategies, and tightly controlled vendor scopes that enable speed, cost discipline, and iteration. You should be equally comfortable reviewing a P&ID, challenging a control philosophy, pressure-testing a capital estimate, aligning with project managers on execution strategy, and stepping into detailed IC work when needed. This role is fully onsi
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