VP Engineering

Job Description

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 onsite in Boston.

Responsibilities

Engineering Execution & FOAK Project Delivery

• Own end-to-end engineering execution across FEL stages for pilot, demo, and commercial systems, including PFDs, P&IDs, heat & material balances, and design reviews
• Lead engineering development for FOAK capital projects and beyond from early design through commissioning
• Partner closely with project/program managers to integrate scope, schedule, cost, and risk into all engineering decisions and execution plans

Cost, Execution Strategy & Modularization

• Own cost as a first-class engineering constraint, driving design-to-cost decisions and continuous cost-down across all systems
• Define and implement execution strategies that avoid default EPC models in favor of modular, internally-controlled approaches
• Decompose systems into tightly managed vendor scopes while maintaining internal ownership of integration and interfaces

Process, Controls & Electrified Systems

• Lead/manage process and controls engineering across all system scales, defining architectures that are robust, operable, and scalable
• Design for fully electrified operation, including grid interaction, dynamic operation, and flexible load management
• Ensure systems are designed for real operating conditions, including startup/shutdown behavior, transients, and long-term reliability

Equipment, Fabrication & Deployment

• Own equipment specification, vendor selection, and procurement strategy across major systems
• Drive modular design and design-for-manufacturing to minimize field work, reduce installation cost, and accelerate deployment
• Lead engineering through fabrication, construction, and commissioning, ensuring alignment with permitting, constructability, and regulatory requirements

Qualifications

• 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
• Familiarity with fuel upgrading technologies (e.g., hydrocracking, isomerization, naphtha upgrading) or closely related refining processes
• Strong ability to operate at both system-level architecture and detailed technical execution, including hands-on design work where needed
• Experience operating outside of traditional EPC models, with a bias toward modular, internally-driven execution and tight scope control is strongly preferred
• Experience designing and deploying electrified process systems, including integration with the electrical grid and dynamic/variable operation is strongly preferred

Company Culture and Benefits

• Challenging, collaborative, and meaningful work and an important voice in company development
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience
• Meaningful equity compensation
• Unlimited PTO and expectation that all employees take significant time off to rest, recharge, and enjoy life outside work
• Excellent insurance with 100% of healthcare, vision, and dental premiums covered for the employee, and 80% coverage for dependents
• 401(k) with company match

Compensation Range: $230K - $255K