Senior Project & Equipment Mechanical Engineer

About LeydenJar

LeydenJar Technologies aims to become world’s innovation leader in advanced battery anodes to energize batteries for progress. High energy density of battery cells is an urgent and unmet need for a wide range of industries from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. By addressing the bottleneck of the battery anode, LeydenJar can improve this by 70% in an industry that can only improve 3% per year. Our pure silicon anode is regarded as the holy grail to achieve in the battery industry. Progress is not only about enabling new products, it also means a more sustainable supply chain, resilience and access to battery technology in geopolitical context and enabling electrification.

Our business model is to provide pure silicon anode rolls that fit directly in the battery plants of cell partners, allowing our clients to make step change in their product performance, or to allow new product categories such as e-flight. Our immediate focus in on the consumer electronics industry, with first automotive application development starting in shortly. To produce pure silicon anodes, we have crossed over from semicon thin film technology (plasma deposition) to anode production. This has given us a unique product quality that can last long without the problems associated with silicon as a battery material. To produce this material at scale we have pioneered roll to roll production tools that we will deploy in PlantOne in Eindhoven, expected to open in 2026. We will produce rolls and validate the production tools, allowing us to ramp up to large commercial production in PlantTwo (location to be determined). Ramping up to become a leading player in the battery market is an enormous opportunity, but also daunting development that requires a team of energy dense professional leaders

We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Project & Equipment Mechanical Engineer to take on a dual-role position, starting immediately and evolving through 2026 and beyond. You will support the successful delivery of the first silicon anode plant in Europe, to be situated in Eindhoven. You will lead the specification, design coordination, and installation oversight of all mechanical utility systems, such as HVAC, process cooling, dust management systems, gas distribution, and safety infrastructure and From 2027 onwards – You will transition into the Production Department, responsible for maintaining and improving equipment performance across the facility, with a strong focus on vacuum deposition systems and all ancillary equipment & utilities required to run these. You will ensure the reliability, maintainability, and safety of both equipment and infrastructure, while mentoring technical staff and driving continuous improvement.

What will be your responsibilities?

Phase 1: Project Phase (until end of 2026)

• Owner of process and tool utility requirements and technical specifications for mechanical systems (e.g. HVAC, process gases, cooling water, air, dust management).

• Produce plant-wide FMEA and HAZOP and manage the design and procurement of a factory safety system to mitigate all identified risks.

• Coordinate with design partners, contractors, and equipment vendors to ensure mechanical systems meet technical, functional, and safety requirements.

• Provide technical review of engineering drawings, installation plans, P&IDs, and equipment layouts.

• Oversee mechanical installation work on site; monitor progress, quality, and compliance with specifications.

• Act as first point of contact for utility system queries from suppliers, installers, and internal stakeholders.

• Support system commissioning and performance testing, including FAT/SAT coordination.

• Identify and resolve engineering conflicts or installation issues that may arise during fit-out.

• Ensure long-term maintainability is considered in all plant infrastructure designs.

• Document decisions, changes, and as-built conditions for future operations and maintenance.

Phase 2: Production Phase (from 2027)

• Ensure optimal performance of vacuum deposition equipment through preventive and corrective maintenance.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to increase uptime, reliability, and process performance.

• Maintain and improve technical documentation, procedures, and safety systems.

• Build and manage a critical spare parts strategy and an efficient safety stock to support uninterrupted equipment operation.

• Coach and support technicians and junior engineers.

• Manage maintenance-related contracts and vendors.

• Responsible for plant-wide utility system performance, including HVAC, compressed air, and process gases.

• Drive compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.

• Provide technical input and operational support to future factory construction and engineering projects, ensuring equipment and infrastructure design aligns with long-term maintenance and performance requirements.

About you:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or Industrial Engineering.

• Minimum 5 years' experience in mechanical systems engineering.

• Excellent knowledge of vacuum systems, preferably experience with PECVD.

• Demonstrated experience leading installation or fit-out projects.

• Strong understanding of mechanical design, utility systems, and maintenance best practices.

• Technical drawings, P&IDs, and process flow diagrams: able to produce or effectively manage the production of, as well as read and review these.

• Comfortable working in a fast-paced scaleup environment

• Fluent in English; Dutch is a plus.

Tools & Systems Knowledge (Preferred)

• Vacuum systems (e.g. PECVD, CVD)

• HVAC and process cooling systems

• CAD tools (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks)

• CMMS or asset management tools

• Risk analysis (FMEA, HAZOP)

Working Requirements

This is a hands-on role across both the project and production phases. To succeed in this position, and to support the team effectively, you’ll need to be on-site most of the time.

Phase 1 – Project Phase (through to end of 2026):
You will be part of the Eindhoven factory project team, based at Strijp-TX. On-site presence is expected 4–5 days per week. Occasional travel to equipment vendors or tool builders may be required during installation and commissioning.

Phase 2 – Production Phase (from 2027 onwards):
Once you transition to the Production Department, your role will remain hands-on and site-based. On-site presence of 4–5 days per week is expected, though flexible working can be accommodated when possible.

Competencies:

• Teamwork- Independently and consistently demonstrates the ability to work effectively, collaboratively and respectfully in a cross-functional, diverse team of multiple nationalities and backgrounds. The team spans project, supplier, R&D & operations teams.

• Problem Solving - Applies systematic troubleshooting and root cause analysis.

• Technical Leadership- Leads technical scope with suppliers and internal stakeholders. Develops technical solutions to recurring problems; leads design reviews and proactively recommends improvements.

• Drive & Initiative - Takes ownership of technical results across project and operations. Sets and pursues challenging technical goals to improve plant performance.

• Concern for Excellence - Enforces and exemplifies high standards in engineering, documentation, and execution.

• Adaptability - Works effectively and resiliently in a scale-up environment with changing priorities.

Customer Orientation- Designs and maintains systems that minimize downtime and support production.

Why LeydenJar?

• Unleash your potential: Dive into a realm where personal growth meets ownership, with the backing to achieve your career aspirations.

• Pension and Insurance Contributions: LeydenJar will pay a total of 10% (on top and based on your monthly gross salary) for pension and life insurance.

• Holiday: Enjoy 25 days of vacation per year (based on a 40-hour working week) to relax and recharge.

• Wellness Day: Take advantage of 1 wellness day per year to focus on your health and well-being.

• Phone allowance: Receive 15,00 EUR monthly to cover your telephone costs.

• Travel Expense Coverage: We will pay your home-work travel expenses (0,23 EUR per kilometer) or provide an NS Business Card for public transport.

• Online Training Platform: Access a platform for online training to enhance your skills and knowledge.

• Study Leave: Enjoy 5 days of study leave per year to pursue continuous learning and development.

• Diverse and Inclusive Team: Join an international team with 20+ different nationalities, fostering a rich and diverse work environment.

• Internal Events: Participate in several FUN events each year, such as end-of-year celebrations, team-building activities, monthly team lunches, and regular drinks, all designed to keep you productive, healthy, and engaged.

Are you ready to take on the challenge as a Senior Project & Equipment Mechanical Engineer ?

We are looking forward to your application!

If you'd like to learn more about LeydenJar amazing team, see below:

At LeydenJar we value diversity, and we provide equal opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, pregnancy/childbirth, age, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, etc. If there are two or more applicants of equal suitability for a certain position, LeydenJar can under circumstances decide to select applicants based on positive discrimination in full compliance with all relevant and applicable law.