Systems Engineer

Job summary

As a systems engineer at Plantd, you will scope, design, test, and iterate through current and next-generation technologies that will enable full-scale production of modern, carbon-negative building materials, bringing Plantd’s vision of sustainable building materials to life. Day-to-day you will work at our vertically integrated space defining processes, system architecture, and entire site layouts as part of the design team. You will partner with engineers and technicians to develop requirements at the system level and own the creation of process flow diagrams, throughput and time studies, and simulations, supporting projects through installation and commissioning.

Industry experience is desired; we look for smart, motivated, collaborative engineers who love solving problems and want to make an impact on the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Define processes, system architecture, and site layouts for automated production lines at a rapid pace
• Translate user needs into measurable, solution-agnostic system requirements, and define interfaces between subsystems
• Evaluate technology and equipment options (build, buy, hybrid) on functional fit, total cost of ownership, vendor capability, and scale-up risk
• Plan and run pilot, bench, or sub-scale tests to validate assumptions and reduce risk before full-scale investment
• Document systems in process flow diagrams (mass/energy and utilities), site layouts, throughput and time studies, simulations, and engineering specifications
• Work with design and controls engineers to turn system designs into efficient, serviceable machines and resolve performance gaps
• Create and lead system-level design reviews with engineers and technicians, and adapt to fast-changing inputs, data, and requirements
• Verify and validate system performance against requirements through acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and handoff to operations, and capture lessons learned and risks (FMEA) for future projects

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Industrial or Systems Engineering, or a closely related field required
• 3–5 years of experience in systems, process, or industrial engineering in a continuous manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience developing process flow diagrams, P&IDs, material and energy balances, and production line or site layouts, with the ability to read and produce engineering drawings in 2D/3D CAD
• Hands-on experience with throughput analysis, time studies, and simulation tools to size equipment and troubleshoot performance
• Working knowledge of developing solution-agnostic requirements, verification/test plans, and interface management across mechanical, electrical, and controls subsystems
• Experience collaborating cross-functionally on capital projects from concept through installation and commissioning, including working with vendors and equipment evaluation

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Prior experience in a lead, senior, or project engineering role with some responsibility for guiding others
• Experience with bulk material handling, biomass or wood products processing, heat presses, or coordinated continuous process environments
• Experience planning and running pilot, bench, or sub-scale tests, and supporting scale-up from prototype to full production
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or bottleneck/OEE analysis methods, and structured risk assessment such as FMEA
• Proficiency with data analysis and programming tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or similar) for modeling process performance
• Exposure to capital project engineering processes, including design reviews, functional specifications, FAT/SAT, and commissioning documentation, and experience contributing to engineering standards, templates, or process guides

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be willing to work on-site in Oxford, NC

COMPENSATION:

• Competitive Salary
• Equity in the form of stock options
• Health insurance coverage