Director Advanced Coal Technologies

Director Advanced Coal Technologies

Summary of Position:

The Director, Advanced Coal Technologies will lead NavEnergy’s technical strategy in coal innovation, to include new coal generation technologies, coal gasification, carbon capture technologies, and next-generation coal auxiliary systems. This role combines research and development, technical advisory, and risk assessment, particularly, in first of a kind applications providing deep technical guidance to the organization in development of feasibility studies, FEEDs, project contracting and in mentoring project teams, including the Project Manager for new coal initiatives.

The ideal candidate is a highly technical engineer with a proven track record in coal technology, carbon capture, and innovation, capable of bridging research insights with practical implementation in complex commercial projects.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical authority for coal generation, coal gasification and carbon capture technologies, advising senior leadership on strategy, feasibility, and project development.
• Lead research, development, and innovation efforts for advanced coal systems, including AFC (Allam- Fetvedt Cycle) and other next-generation coal technologies.
• Oversee and mentor the Project Manager for new coal projects, ensuring technical rigor, milestone delivery, and alignment with corporate goals.
• Evaluate emerging coal and carbon capture technologies, providing recommendations for deployment or further R&D investment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, finance, operations, legal) to translate technical insights into project development and commercialization.
• Guide technical strategy, including integration of carbon capture, storage, and utilization solutions into coal power projects.
• Develop technical proposals, white papers, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders, including DOE, investors, and partners.
• Ensure technical best practices are implemented across all coal-related projects and research initiatives.
• Support regulatory, governmental loan/grant processes, permitting, and compliance efforts from a technical perspective.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Mining Engineering; advanced degree (MS/PhD) preferred.
• 10–15 years of experience in coal technology, advanced coal systems, or carbon capture R&D.
• Deep technical knowledge of coal combustion, gasification, generation operations, carbon capture, and integration of low-carbon technologies.
• Experience in research or technology development environments, with the ability to translate R&D into applied projects.
• Strong project management and team mentoring experience, ideally supervising technical leads or project managers.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical communication skills.
• Track record of advising executive leadership on technical strategy and technology investments.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is required to continuously sit with frequent forward bending and rotation. The employee must frequently lift, carry and/or move up to 15 pounds; rarely to horizontally lift up to 34 pounds; and rarely lift, carry and/or move up to 50 pounds or swing up to 12 pounds. The employee is required to rarely push or pull up to 100 pounds of force. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms; occasionally use a right-hand grip up to 30 pounds of force; and rarely use hand at an elevated level. The employee is required continuously stand with forward bending and frequently rotating; kneel; and frequently to walk; climb stairs; crouch; squat repetitively; and occasionally crawl. Rarely the employee is required to squat repetitively or reach up to 74”. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Working Environment: Works in office environment and site environment. This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Working outdoors in all weather conditions; working in plant environment; working in shop environment; and working in the cab of equipment or vehicle.

A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently with or without accommodation. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The above job profile reflects the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities for this position and is not intended to be all encompassing. Other duties and responsibilities may be expected based on operational and departmental needs.