JOBS

Career Opportunities at
Earlybird Portfolio Companies

Make a difference, build a startup, and change the world of tomorrow.

Automation & Controls Engineer (f/m/x)

Greenlyte Carbon Technologies

Greenlyte Carbon Technologies

Essen, Germany
Posted on Oct 1, 2025
Are you ready to save the planet?
We will help prevent a climate crisis by freeing the world from fossil fuels. Our breakthrough direct air capture technology captures CO2 from the atmosphere and produces hydrogen in parallel. The clock is ticking. What are you waiting for? Our goals are ambitious. We need people who are inspired and motivated to turn these aspirations into reality; to grow and develop with us. At Greenlyte Carbon Technologies, you will be responsible for our Automation and Controls.
How you'll contribute

You’ll play a pivotal role in our Automation & Controls efforts, bringing your expertise to create reliable and scalable control systems that drive efficiency and innovation. Specifically you will...

  • Take ownership of our pilot plant control systems—from equipment commissioning to system optimization.

  • Develop and implement automation strategies for process units including pumps, fans, valves, and sensors.

  • Integrate data acquisition systems and interface with backend databases for process monitoring and analytics.

  • Design and standardize control system architecture for future scalability and reliability.

  • Drive continuous improvement in plant performance through control system refinement.

  • Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, R&D, and operations teams to ensure smooth integration.

Your first 12 months in the role: expectations and deliverables

Months 0–3

  • Acclimate quickly to existing systems and take full ownership of a pilot plant’s controls.

  • Commission core components such as pumps, sensors, and fans.

  • Begin optimizing process parameters for efficiency and reliability.

Months 3–6

  • Automate key plant functions and develop robust interfaces with database management systems.

  • Ensure long-term operational stability through improved controls and data visibility.

Months 6–12

  • Lead the development of a standardized, scalable system architecture.

  • Fully commission new plants with state-of-the-art control systems.

  • Introduce control strategies that enhance reliability and enable data-driven performance improvements.

About you
  • A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics, or computer science.
  • Over 5 years of automation experience in a manufacturing and production environment, demonstrating consistent delivery of results.
  • Fluent in English (spoken and written); German language skills are a strong plus.
What we offer
  • 30 days vacation plus public holidays.

  • The opportunity to shape and grow your role in a high-impact climate tech company.

  • Founders who prioritize building a sustainable and transparent organization.

  • A flat hierarchy and open communication culture where your work makes a visible difference.

Noteworthy points
This role cannot be done fully remotely. We require someone who lives within commuting distance to Essen or is open to relocate—which we are happy to support.
About us
GCT was founded in September 2022 with the ambition to develop a low-cost, robust Direct Air Capture technology that captures CO2 at world-leading energy rates, whilst supplying hydrogen as a by-product. The company’s technology is based on 15 years of research and has been proven at various scales. Since its founding, the company raised 45-million Euros in funding from leading venture capitalists and renowned business angels.