Lead Mechanical Engineer

Technical ownership within next-generation industrial energy systems

At RIFT, we are scaling our Iron Fuel Technology from proven pilot installations to full-scale commercial industrial systems. This marks a new phase in which we design and deliver complex, multidisciplinary plants that must meet the highest standards for safety, reliability and scalability.

We are looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer who takes full technical ownership of the mechanical scope across our projects.

This is not a detailed design role. You are the technical authority who defines direction, evaluates engineering decisions, and ensures that external engineering partners deliver robust, compliant and buildable solutions.

You operate at the interface of engineering, execution and commissioning of first-of-a-kind energy systems.

Your role

As Lead Mechanical Engineer, you are accountable for the mechanical integrity, constructability and performance of our installations throughout the full project lifecycle.

You will:

• Act as technical authority (design authority) for the mechanical scope within large-scale industrial energy projects.

• Define design bases, requirements and technical specifications aligned with process and system requirements.

• Review, challenge and approve engineering deliverables from EPCs, engineering consultancies and equipment suppliers.

• Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards such as PED, ASME and EN 13480.

• Safeguard safety, reliability, maintainability and lifecycle performance of mechanical systems.

• Identify technical risks and drive mitigation strategies across all project phases (including HAZID/HAZOP input where relevant).

• Manage technical interfaces between mechanical, process, electrical and civil disciplines.

• Act as the primary technical point of contact for external parties on all mechanical matters.

• Ensure design decisions are traceable, well-founded and executable within fabrication and construction constraints.

• Support installation, commissioning and start-up activities from a mechanical engineering perspective.

Your profile

You are a senior engineer experienced in complex industrial environments where technical decisions have direct impact on safety, cost and system performance.

You bring:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.

• Extensive experience in industrial plant engineering (e.g. energy, chemicals, oil & gas or process industries).

• Experience working in EPC environments or similar contractor-driven execution models.

• Proven experience as a technical lead or design authority within mechanical engineering scope.

• Experience reviewing and challenging third-party engineering deliverables.

• Strong understanding of mechanical design principles for piping systems, static equipment and pressure systems.

• Ability to operate across disciplines and manage complex technical interfaces.

• Strong communication skills and experience in technical stakeholder management.

• A structured, analytical and decisive approach to engineering challenges.

Nice to have:

• Experience with first-of-a-kind (FOAK) industrial installations or scaling technology from pilot to commercial scale.

• Experience in commissioning and construction phases of industrial projects.

• Exposure to clean tech, energy transition or novel process technologies.

What we offer

At RIFT, you will work on technology that directly contributes to the decarbonisation of industrial energy systems.

You will:

• Take full technical ownership in high-impact industrial projects.

• Contribute to scaling breakthrough clean energy technology to commercial reality.

• Work in a highly technical environment with deep engineering expertise across disciplines.

• Have significant autonomy in technical decision-making.

• Directly influence the realisation of complex industrial installations.

• Benefit from flexible working hours and hybrid working arrangements.

• Receive competitive employment conditions.

• Participate in our SAR scheme, aligned with long-term company growth.

Why RIFT

RIFT is developing one of the most promising solutions for industrial decarbonisation: Iron Fuel Technology.

Our technology enables renewable energy storage and application in industrial heat processes that are difficult to electrify. We are now entering a phase where engineering decisions directly determine how this technology scales into commercial industrial reality.

This requires engineers who are comfortable working in ambiguity, taking technical ownership, and making well-founded decisions within complex system environments.

At RIFT, engineering is not execution it is ownership. Join us to build the next generation of industrial energy systems.