Senior Mechanical Engineer Manager

About CycloKinetics

CycloKinetics is advancing the next generation of high-performance propellants for aerospace and defense. Our highly innovative technology allows us to harness existing energy from biomass and convert it to superior performance fuels and propellants across aviation, aerospace, and defense applications. 

We are a team of engineers, scientists, and operators driven by performance, innovation, and national security impact focused on building scalable, domestic energy solutions that power the future of propulsion. CycloKinetics is based in Salt Lake City, Utah.  

Job Summary:   

We are seeking a Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering to lead the mechanical engineering organization supporting the scale-up of research and development into commercial operations. The Senior Manager of Mechanical Engineering will oversee engineering work related to process equipment, custom machinery, piping systems, steel structures, skids, tanks, pressure vessels, utilities, and mechanical integration with instrumentation and controls. This individual will be responsible for building practical engineering solutions that bridge early-stage research, pilot-scale systems, and commercially viable operations. 

This role will work closely with Research & Development (R&D), controls engineering, operations, outside engineering firms, fabricators, and equipment vendors to design and build CycloKinetics first-of-its-kind biorefinery. 

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success across a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines, with strong mechanical fundamentals, practical field experience, and proven ability to lead technical teams through ambiguous, fast-moving, and highly integrated projects. 

Essential Functions & Responsibilities: 

• Lead the mechanical engineering team for equipment design, piping systems, structural integration, mechanical layouts, and mechanical support of process scale-up. 
• Work closely with the R&D organization to translate laboratory and pilot-scale concepts into practical engineered systems suitable for larger-scale operation.  
• Oversee the design, development, specification, and implementation of custom process equipment, structures, skids, piping systems, tanks, reactors, pressure vessels, and supporting utilities.  
• Collaborate closely with the controls engineering team to ensure mechanical equipment, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, and control systems are properly integrated. 
• Provide technical leadership across multiple engineering disciplines, including mechanical systems, process equipment, piping, structural supports, fabrication, installation, commissioning, and operational troubleshooting. 
• Review and approve engineering designs, equipment specifications, drawings, fabrication packages, vendor documents, and technical deliverables. 
• Coordinate with outside engineering firms, EPC partners, consultants, fabricators, and equipment vendors to support project execution. 
• Evaluate vendors, consultants, and engineering service providers for technical capability, quality, schedule, and cost effectiveness.  
• Negotiate scope, pricing, deliverables, and technical requirements with outside consultants, fabricators, and vendors to reduce cost while maintaining safety, reliability, and performance. 
• Support procurement in evaluating vendor quotes, alternate equipment options, make-versus-buy decisions, long-lead items, and technical bid comparisons. 
• Drive practical cost reduction efforts through design simplification, vendor competition, fabrication strategy, standardization, and value engineering. 
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, design practices, documentation expectations, and review processes. 
• Support process hazard reviews, HAZOPs, design reviews, incident investigations, and corrective action planning.  
• Provide mechanical engineering support for factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting. 
• Work with operations and maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, safety, and ease of operation. 
• Mentor engineers and support professional development of the mechanical engineering team. 
• Prioritize engineering work across multiple projects, balancing near-term execution needs with long-term commercial scale-up objectives.  
• Communicate project status, technical risks, tradeoffs, resource needs, and recommendations to senior leadership.  
• Perform job duties in a safety-regulated industrial environment where chemicals, process equipment, machinery, and other potential workplace hazards may be present.  
• Comply with all internal, OSHA, and government policies and regulations. 
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation in accordance with company guidelines on documentation, storage, and control.  
• Support in the development of standard operating procedures and systems.     
• Exhibit strong communication, organization, documentation, leadership, and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Suite and related programs.  
• Performs additional duties as assigned by the Manager/Supervisor or designated leadership.  

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or closely related engineering field. 
• 20+ years of progressive engineering experience in industrial, chemical processing, refinery, petrochemical, energy, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, EPC, or other complex engineered environments. 
• 7+ years of experience leading engineers, technical teams, engineering contractors, or multidisciplinary project teams. 
• Demonstrated success designing, building, scaling, or operating complex mechanical systems. 
• Strong working knowledge of mechanical equipment, piping systems, pressure-containing equipment, structural supports, fabrication methods, utilities, and industrial installation practices. 
• Experience translating R&D, prototype, pilot-scale, or first-of-kind technical concepts into engineered systems. 
• Ability to work across a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines and coordinate with mechanical, process, controls, electrical, operations, maintenance, and procurement teams. 
• Experience evaluating technical vendors, engineering consultants, fabricators, and equipment suppliers. 
• Demonstrated ability to reduce project cost through vendor negotiation, value engineering, scope refinement, alternate sourcing, and practical design decisions. 
• Strong ability to review drawings, specifications, equipment datasheets, technical documentation, and fabrication packages. 
• Experience coordinating with outside EPC firms, engineering contractors, consultants, or fabrication partners. 
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and leadership skills.  
• Ability to make sound technical decisions in ambiguous, fast-moving, and resource-constrained environments. 
• Strong commitment to safety, documentation, engineering quality, and practical execution.  
• Highly detail-oriented and organized, with a proactive, self-driven approach and demonstrated record of taking initiative.  
• Demonstrated proficiency in common computer tools and web-based applications is required. 
• Proficiency with 3D CAD platforms (SolidWorks, Inventor, etc.). 
• Proficiency in computer simulation/analysis tools (FEA & CFD). 
• Project management/project engineer experience is a plus. 
• Prior experience successfully participating in work teams where personal accountability, attention to detail, collaboration, and results were required is essential. 

Physical Demands: 

Physical requirements may include lifting and/or moving items weighing up to fifty (50) pounds, bending, standing, reaching, climbing, walking, and prolonged sitting may be required. Must have safe work habits and perform all duties in accordance with company safety policies. Personal protective equipment is provided by the company, and its use is mandatory.

General:

This position is based in Salt Lake City, Utah, with work performed on-site. CycloKinetics is an At-Will, VEVRAA, Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, E-Verify, and Drug-Free Workplace. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background verification and drug screens.

Benefits:

CycloKinetics offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including:

• 15 Days of PTO
• 12 Paid Holidays
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) Savings Plan (including Roth options)
• Basic Life Insurance
• Dependent Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Short-Term Disability (STD)
• Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Parental Leave
• ESOP
• Bonus Potential

EEO Statement:

CycloKinetics is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity in our employee population. We are excited to work with talented individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. All employment decisions at CycloKinetics are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or special disabled veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

FLSA Classification: Exempt

We’re looking for detail-oriented team members who pride themselves on solving problems while bringing positive energy and strong communication skills to the table. If this describes you, come join our team today and contribute to the success of our organization!