Cella, a pioneering climate technology company at the forefront of geologic carbon removal, is seeking an experienced and motivated Reservoir Engineer to support its mission of delivering safe, scalable, and permanent carbon storage solutions. As part of our expanding operations in Kenya, this role offers the rare opportunity to contribute directly to the fight against climate change by developing and implementing breakthrough CO₂ mineralization technologies.
Backed by top-tier venture investors, Cella is leveraging in-situ mineralization to unlock unconventional rock formations for CO₂ storage, with the potential to safely remove carbon at a gigaton scale. Our first field pilot is currently underway in Kenya, and we are assembling a world-class team of engineers, geoscientists, and commercial strategists to advance our climate impact.
This role is ideal for a technically proficient and environmentally driven professional ready to make a significant contribution to a climate-critical initiative. You will be part of a small but dynamic team characterized by innovation, agility, and deep technical focus, where your work will shape the direction of a globally relevant solution to carbon emissions.
Position: Reservoir Engineer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya and Nakuru, Kenya
Posted on: July 23, 2025
About the Role
As a Reservoir Engineer at Cella, you will take a lead role in evaluating and managing subsurface geologic formations for secure and permanent carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage. Your expertise will ensure the effectiveness of CO₂ injection, monitoring, and containment, and will directly support Cella’s field-scale carbon mineralization efforts.
This position requires a deep understanding of fluid behavior in porous media, CO₂ plume migration, geomechanics, and reservoir characterization. You’ll need to work with a multidisciplinary team to design, simulate, monitor, and optimize carbon storage operations that adhere to the highest standards of safety and environmental integrity.
The position combines both field and technical responsibilities and will be central to our goal of enabling geologic carbon storage at gigaton scale through innovative and field-tested techniques.
Key Responsibilities
- Subsurface Reservoir Evaluation and Characterization
- Assess geological formations to determine their suitability for CO₂ storage, focusing on storage capacity, caprock integrity, and long-term containment.
- Perform comprehensive reservoir characterization using geological, petrophysical, and geomechanical data.
- Reservoir Simulation and Modeling
- Conduct detailed simulations using tools like Eclipse, CMG, TOUGH2, and Petrel to model CO₂ injection, plume migration, pressure build-up, and fluid movement.
- Use simulation outputs to forecast reservoir performance and containment effectiveness over project lifetimes.
- Site Selection and Feasibility Analysis
- Collaborate in the site selection process by evaluating data from seismic surveys, core sampling, and well logs.
- Support due diligence on potential CO₂ storage sites based on dynamic reservoir properties.
- Data Acquisition and Interpretation
- Interpret well logs, seismic data, and downhole instrumentation to assess injectivity, permeability, and hydrologic properties.
- Develop and update conceptual and numerical models of candidate storage sites.
- Project Execution Support
- Provide technical oversight during drilling and well construction.
- Monitor real-time injection operations to ensure alignment with design parameters and risk mitigation plans.
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Work closely with geologists, geophysicists, drilling engineers, and environmental specialists to integrate data and develop holistic reservoir models.
- Help formulate and update integrated monitoring and verification plans.
- Risk Identification and Mitigation
- Identify operational risks associated with CO₂ injection, including overpressurization, fault reactivation, and leakage potential.
- Develop proactive strategies to mitigate and manage subsurface risks throughout the lifecycle of the project.
- Permitting and Compliance Support
- Assist in preparing technical documentation required for permitting and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure that all reservoir engineering operations meet international standards for safety and environmental protection.
- Technical Reporting and Communication
- Prepare high-quality technical reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.
- Present findings to team members, partners, regulators, and scientific audiences as needed.
- Team Leadership and Mentorship
- Provide guidance and technical support to junior engineers and interns.
- Take initiative in setting project timelines and milestones related to reservoir studies.
Required Qualifications and Competencies
- A Bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering, Geoscience, or a related discipline is required.
- A Master’s degree or specialized training in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a distinct advantage.
- A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in reservoir engineering, preferably in geologic CO₂ storage or enhanced oil recovery environments.
Technical Proficiencies
- Proficient in reservoir simulation software (such as Eclipse, CMG, TOUGH2) and geoscientific interpretation tools (e.g., Petrel).
- Solid understanding of reservoir fluid dynamics, geomechanics, CO₂ phase behavior, and geochemical reactions.
- Strong analytical skills in data interpretation, including well logs, seismic surveys, and core analyses.
- Familiar with monitoring and verification technologies including seismic imaging, fiber-optic sensing, and pressure/temperature logging.
- Demonstrated capability in dynamic modeling of CO₂ injection and long-term storage.
Field & Operational Skills
- Capable of operating in field-based or remote environments for extended periods.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license to support mobility across Cella’s operational sites.
- Experience supporting wellsite activities, including drilling, completions, and field instrumentation setup.
Behavioral and Soft Skills
- Highly analytical with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
- Strong report writing, documentation, and presentation skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, start-up environment.
- Comfortable working on tight deadlines and managing complex logistics and budgets.
- Passionate about climate action, innovation, and sustainability.
Why Join Cella?
Joining Cella means being part of a small, ambitious, and impact-driven team tackling one of the planet’s most urgent challenges: climate change. As a Reservoir Engineer, your work will contribute directly to the development of carbon dioxide mineralization as a permanent, safe, and scalable solution to global emissions.
Our team culture emphasizes technical excellence, scientific integrity, and innovative problem-solving. We offer an exciting startup environment where your contributions will be highly visible and your career growth accelerated through hands-on experience and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Cella is proud to lead one of the world’s first CO₂ mineralization field pilots in Kenya—your role will be pivotal in shaping the success and scalability of this initiative across Africa and beyond.
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the above criteria are encouraged to apply through the application link provided on our careers portal.
