4 ms·

Is there a need for software engineers in developing direct air capture tech? I'd be interested in working in the field

capableweb 4y ago
Of course, people writing the software for the control systems and monitoring is always needed :) I think the area is hard to get into unless you have education and some sort of certification in it though, can't just jump into it like when building web apps (as an example, don't know your background obviously).
kolinko 4y ago
There is a very limited need. There's a ton of co2 calculators and energy markets out there, but supply of those outstrips demand. The only other part that would really require software devs is heavy duty physics simulations perhaps. Some things you just can't fix with software :) (Having said that - of course every hardware project needs some sort of software - be it microcontroller programming, or a website. But it's such a small part that it can be outsourced to a generic software house really)
the_mar 4y ago
Not DAC but CO2 capture nonetheless, Thalo Labs is a startup in NYC and they are hiring. https://jobs.lever.co/thalolabs/73ca7b6c-50ff-4902-9d32-8c8617386a18 https://jobs.lever.co/thalolabs/73ca7b6c-50ff-4902-9d32-8c86...
- dexterdog 4y ago
  I thought NY passed a law that you had to list the salary range on all job postings.
  - the_mar 4y ago
    For companies over a certain number of full-time employees in the state.
osigurdson 4y ago
Software is needed to accurately simulate CO2 injection into saline aquifers and depleted gas reservoirs. It is complex stuff - simulations typically run for 100s/1000s of years into the future, modelling chemical reactions, cap rock integrity, etc. Measurements are regularly obtained from the site which are fed back into the simulation. There are definitely jobs in this space.
- throw_away1525 4y ago
  The developers working on these types of simulations typically have a background in a more traditional engineering field like petroleum engineering or chemical engineering. Not saying that it isn't possible to break into the field with a different background, just sharing my experience.
  - osigurdson 4y ago
    It is necessary to run thousands of simulations, collect and analyze data, etc. The scale can be enormous. There are definitely software engineering roles.
    - xwdv 4y ago
      Very limited, better to buy simulators off the shelf if building simulations isn’t your core focus.

Of course, people writing the software for the control systems and monitoring is always needed :) I think the area is hard to get into unless you have education and some sort of certification in it though, can't just jump into it like when building web apps (as an example, don't know your background obviously).

kolinko 4y ago

There is a very limited need. There's a ton of co2 calculators and energy markets out there, but supply of those outstrips demand. The only other part that would really require software devs is heavy duty physics simulations perhaps. Some things you just can't fix with software :) (Having said that - of course every hardware project needs some sort of software - be it microcontroller programming, or a website. But it's such a small part that it can be outsourced to a generic software house really)

the_mar 4y ago

Not DAC but CO2 capture nonetheless, Thalo Labs is a startup in NYC and they are hiring. https://jobs.lever.co/thalolabs/73ca7b6c-50ff-4902-9d32-8c8617386a18 https://jobs.lever.co/thalolabs/73ca7b6c-50ff-4902-9d32-8c86...

dexterdog 4y ago
I thought NY passed a law that you had to list the salary range on all job postings.
- the_mar 4y ago
  For companies over a certain number of full-time employees in the state.

osigurdson 4y ago

Software is needed to accurately simulate CO2 injection into saline aquifers and depleted gas reservoirs. It is complex stuff - simulations typically run for 100s/1000s of years into the future, modelling chemical reactions, cap rock integrity, etc. Measurements are regularly obtained from the site which are fed back into the simulation. There are definitely jobs in this space.

throw_away1525 4y ago
The developers working on these types of simulations typically have a background in a more traditional engineering field like petroleum engineering or chemical engineering. Not saying that it isn't possible to break into the field with a different background, just sharing my experience.
- osigurdson 4y ago
  It is necessary to run thousands of simulations, collect and analyze data, etc. The scale can be enormous. There are definitely software engineering roles.
  - xwdv 4y ago
    Very limited, better to buy simulators off the shelf if building simulations isn’t your core focus.