Associate Director, Mechanical and Automation Engineer

Who we are:  

We're transforming one of the world’s oldest industries with cutting-edge technology and an innovative approach. Backed by top-tier investors and recognized by Time as one of the "best Inventions of 2024" and Fast Company as one of 2024's "Next Big Things in Tech", Electra is scaling rapidly and we're looking for bold, driven individuals to help us reshape the future of iron production. If you're ready to make a real impact in a company that's redefining heavy industry for a cleaner, smarter world, we want to hear from you.

What you will do:  

The Associate Director, Mechanical  and Automation Engineer leads Electra’s engineering strategy and execution for industrial plant design, development, and scale-up from demonstration through full commercial deployment. This role is responsible for the design, optimization, and integration of complex mechanical systems that underpin Electra’s green iron production process. 

You will guide a multidisciplinary team and collaborate closely with senior leadership to ensure engineering excellence, operational scalability, and alignment with Electra’s long-term sustainability goals

Responsibilities include:

• Partner with senior leadership to define and execute the industrial plant engineering roadmap aligned with Electra’s strategic objectives 
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineers, driving high performance and professional growth 
• Oversee mechanical, civil, and structural engineering design performed internally or by external partners, ensuring alignment with company standards and technical requirements 
• Integrate new technologies developed internally into scalable plant systems 
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across R&D, Operations, and Manufacturing to deliver seamless plant design and integration 
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Lead the design, validation, and optimization of industrial and automation systems for green iron production to meet performance, cost, and sustainability goals 
• Manage engineering projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget adherence
• Provide executive-level updates and recommendations on project risks, tradeoffs, and performance metrics 
• Champion engineering best practices in system design, documentation, and validation
• Support root-cause analysis and troubleshooting of complex plant systems
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, efficiency, and safety 
• Provide oversight of departmental budgets, timelines, and resource planning 
• Model and promote a strong safety culture across all teams and projects

What we need you to bring to the team:   

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline 
• 12+ years of industry experience in mechanical or process engineering within industrial, manufacturing, or energy environments
• 5+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and large-scale system-level projects 
• Proven track record in scaling industrial plant systems from pilot to commercial operations
• Strong understanding of system integration, testing, and validation principles 
• Demonstrated ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable engineering programs 
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams covering mechanical, civil, structural, and automation disciplines 
• Proficiency in CAD, FEA, and other relevant engineering tools (e.g., MATLAB).
• Executive presence with strong communication, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills
• Advanced project management and organizational abilities to handle multiple, concurrent priorities 
• Calm under pressure with a solutions-driven approach