This is a fantastic opportunity for a lead process engineer with project management experience across technical/development aspects of hydrogen/e-fuel projects. You will be an integral part of delivering HYRO’s business plan and ORI JV’s growth platform. The candidate thrives in ambiguity and an entrepreneurial environment, likes solving real-world problems and wants to be an instrumental part of the technical viability of our green hydrogen/e-fuel projects.

HYRO is a development company within Octopus Energy Generation (OEGEN) and is only one of a handful of companies with a 100% success rate in the UK’s hydrogen subsidy scheme. HYRO is developing e-fuels/green hydrogen projects in the UK to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as aviation, shipping and heavy industry, to support a new green economy and has plans to deliver c.400MW of ready to build projects by 2030.

The role will be based at the Octopus Energy office just off Soho in Central London and we are open to hybrid working. While it is expected you carry out your work from your base, you should anticipate travelling in the UK for up to 50% of the time in some weeks and to destinations in Europe from time to time.

You will work closely with the commercial team and the head of technical development, leading on critical technical development aspects to inform decision-making and to deliver our projects. You will be employed by ORI JV Holdings 6 Limited (“ORI JV”), the development entity established by the OEGEN funds and through which the funds own HYRO.

The candidates should be aware that HYRO believes an entrepreneurial, flexible and a go-getting attitude is of higher value to the business than simply having the credentials. However, it is up to candidates to demonstrate, where there is a gap in their experience (i.e., the candidate doesn’t have a large amount of technical development), how they would be able to perform at the necessary and required level.

Any unchecked use of artificial intelligence to support the application will see the candidate’s application immediately rejected with no opportunity for feedback or reapplication.

We would like to manage expectations of any prospective candidates that this role is not a pure chemical/process engineering role, nor will there be an in-house engineering team. HYRO’s business model is to co-develop projects with technology providers with the providers having responsibility for the delivery of the pure engineering workstreams. However, within HYRO’s typical scope and responsibilities, articulated in detail below, HYRO is required to impart chemical/process engineering knowledge and experience and you will support on these aspects. The other important part of the role is the project management that relates to delivering the technical development workstreams critical to the success of the projects: managing utility, planning and permitting interfaces as well as the technical integration with CO₂ sources and technology partners. HYRO is the UK partner to international companies, holding the relationships in the UK and covering the UK-specific responsibilities.

More specifically, as the lead process engineer and technical development manager, working in collaboration with the head of technical development you will oversee the engineering aspects of our green hydrogen/e-fuels projects, from origination to concept development (FEL1) and to end-FEED (FEL3). This role involves managing external engineering and other development consultancies, ensuring technical deliverables meet project requirements and aligning engineering strategies with commercial objectives.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

· Support the implementation of the engineering strategy for green hydrogen/e-fuels projects aligned to the company’s project delivery governance;

· Provide technical/process engineering leadership and guidance to internal teams and external partners;

· Work with the origination team to select hydrogen/e-fuel partners, providing commentary on the viability of technologies from a chemical/process engineering perspective.

· Develop and maintain a list of preferred hydrogen equipment suppliers to support HYRO’s projects with e-fuel technology companies where the partner’s scopes/core technologies do not cover hydrogen supply and to support the delivery of HYRO’s hydrogen projects.

· At each decision gate throughout the development process, select and review critical engineering outputs from the technology partners to identify any critical development risks (i.e., ensure outputs comply with relevant codes, standards and regulations) of which HYRO as an investor in co-developed projects, should be aware. Support the resolution of risks identified.

· Lead key project development rights workstreams throughout all projects phases and manage external technical/engineering/development consultants to support delivery of this work.

· Work with the head of technical development to ensure integration of process designs with other project components, including renewable energy sources and CO₂ capture system/technology;

· Work closely with the commercial and development PMs to align technical solutions/deliverables, being an integral part of the origination and project development team.

· Manage the project engineering and technical development budget effectively;

· Identify opportunities to improve existing and new processes, whether HYRO’s or technology partners’, for efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness (as part of demonstrating HYRO’s value-add).

· Be the company’s chemical/process engineering expert and the primary chemical/process engineering liaison with licensors, suppliers and regulatory bodies.

What you bring to us:

· Minimum of Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with at least 10 years of progressive experience in chemical/process engineering, ideally with a focus on hydrogen, e-fuels, or related sectors. Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional certification is highly desirable.

· A proactive and self-motivated individual with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to learn and contribute in a fast-paced, dynamic startup environment.

· Strong leadership, excellent communication (written and verbal), presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate effectively across different teams and stakeholders and a knack for communicating complex matters in a lucid, succinct form to different types of audiences.

· Strong project management skills with a good understanding of the steps and governance involved in developing and delivering chemical/process engineering projects. An understanding of power markets is not crucial but an understanding of chemical/process engineering is a must.

· Proven track record of leading and managing complex projects. Experience working in international projects or with global teams is an advantage.

· Deep understanding of hydrogen production technologies and e-fuel synthesis processes.

· Proficiency in process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen Plus, HYSYS, UniSim).

· Experience with process and technical safety management and regulatory compliance.

· A strategic thinker with the ability to make data-driven decisions, an entrepreneurial, roll-up-sleeves, can-do, delivery focused attitude, wrapped in a relaxed and approachable manner.

· A strong desire for continuous learning and improvement.

HYRO

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Lead process engineer & technical development manager (e-fuels/hydrogen)