Helping a Carbon Capture Startup Hire Its First U.S. Employee
- Kimberly Wilson
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 28
Proven Results: Technical Energy CCS Sales Leader with Geophysical Expertise Secured for U.S. Growth
TL;DR – Building Early U.S. Presence for a Global Carbon Capture Startup
TLR Search partnered with a European carbon-capture and storage (CCS) startup to hire its first U.S.-based Technical Sales Lead. The search focused on finding a leader with geophysical expertise, strong industry relationships, and the entrepreneurial mindset to launch U.S. operations. The placement established the company’s U.S. presence, expanded market visibility, and provided valuable insights into cross-border team integration for future growth.
Challenge: First U.S. Hire for Highly Specialized CCS Growth
Challenge Summary: A European carbon-capture startup needed its first U.S. hire — a technical sales leader with geophysical expertise who could represent CCS technology to major energy companies and launch U.S. operations.
The client, a European climate tech startup with proprietary Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) surveillance technology, was entering the U.S. market for the first time. Backed by private equity and strategic partnerships, they needed to build a U.S. presence with a highly specialized first hire who could:
Serve as a U.S. Technical Sales Lead reporting directly to the COO
Represent the company’s predictive maintenance solution for underground carbon sequestration
Bring technical fluency in geophysics, seismic analysis, and flow modeling
Build commercial partnerships with energy companies
Present confidently at industry conferences and events
Operate with an entrepreneurial mindset in a fast-moving startup
Collaborate closely with the company’s established U.S. commercial partner
This was a pivotal hire. Technical expertise alone wouldn’t be enough. The right candidate must bridge business development, technical acumen, and early-stage market building.
Solution: Targeted Search for Rare Technical Sales Talent
Solution Summary: TLR Search conducted a targeted, relationship-driven executive search to identify technical sales talent who could bridge engineering fluency and business development, aligning closely with the company’s leadership in Europe.
TLR Search executed a highly targeted, relationship-driven search that blended technical and commercial assessments.
We:
Mapped talent pools across geophysical consulting, seismic technology, CCS service providers, and oil & gas business development functions
Focused on professionals with advanced geoscience backgrounds who had successfully transitioned into technical sales roles
Engaged passive candidates with relevant experience who had not previously considered a startup role
Positioned the opportunity as a chance to pioneer CCS adoption in a first-of-its-kind U.S. role, with global leadership visibility
Balanced cultural fit, startup readiness, and technical credibility in candidate screening
We coordinated closely with the COO to align candidate evaluation criteria and market feedback.
Result: Strategic First Hire to Launch U.S. Operations
Result Summary: The search delivered a U.S. Technical Sales Lead who established the company’s market presence, advanced early partnerships, and provided key learning for future cross-border hiring.
Despite a narrow and competitive candidate pool, TLR Search secured a Technical Sales Lead with the rare blend of technical and commercial skills needed to launch the company’s U.S. operations.
The hire brought:
Geophysical modeling and seismic analysis expertise
Strong existing energy-sector relationships
Experience successfully transitioning from technical work into sales leadership
The entrepreneurial mindset to operate as the company’s first U.S.-based employee
During his tenure, he represented the company at major industry events, advanced early partnerships, and met the challenges of a shifting CCS policy landscape head-on.
While the role later evolved as the company refined its cross-border structure, the search itself established a U.S. presence and provided valuable insight into what’s required for successful international-to-U.S. expansion.
Looking to hire specialized leaders for emerging energy markets?
We help energy, carbon capture, and climate tech companies secure cross-functional leaders who bring technical expertise, commercial acumen, and growth potential to new ventures.
Next Step:
→ Explore more executive search case studies
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