Web Designer / AI-Forward Digital Lead, Energy Tech (Independent Contractor)

Web Designer / AI-Forward Digital Lead, Energy Tech (Independent Contractor) Company: Standard Carbon (www.standardcarbon.com) Type: Hourly, independent contractor (individual or small senior team; no agencies) Location: Remote, international welcome Engagement: Project-based redesign now, plus ongoing management retainer after launch Start: Immediate. Interviewing now. ⚠ Independent contractors only. No agencies, no staffing firms, no resellers, no “we have a team for that.” If you are an agency or plan to subcontract this work, please do not apply. Applications from agencies will be declined. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS!!! About Us Standard Carbon is redefining the energy market, starting with economics. Our Carbon Bridge™ platform turns CO2 emissions into pipeline-grade, low-carbon Renewable Natural Gas (StandardRNG™), produced on-site or delivered through the existing grid, using infrastructure that is already in place. The result is revolutionary: low-carbon fuel that is more abundant and less expensive. It expands the energy market rather than rationing it, and it turns a cost center (CO2 emissions) into a new source of fuel and revenue. That economic story is the headline. Regulatory compliance is a secondary benefit, a welcome by-product of doing the math right, not the reason to act. When it matters, StandardRNG™ also satisfies mandates like NYC’s Local Law 97, Boston BERDO, California’s LCFS, and the EU’s RED III. We serve, in order of priority: power plants, large industrial operators, data centers, and urban/building portfolios, across the U.S., the EU, Israel, and beyond. We operate at the intersection of fossil fuels and renewables and we deal in #energyrealism: pragmatic, grounded-in-reality solutions. Our messaging deliberately rides the line between left-leaning climate/environmental priorities and right-leaning pro-energy, pro-business priorities, and it shifts by region and by country, staying as apolitical as possible. We want to stay top of mind as the world swings back toward pragmatism. The Mission We’re rebuilding our digital presence into one authoritative hub, the “one ring to rule them all” that consolidates our main site and its microsites into a single, coherent point of information distribution. We launched a strong build about a year ago with significant SEO/SEM investment, and we will not lose that equity. This is a redesign and a level-up, not a teardown. We also have a category-defining new product launching soon (details shared with shortlisted candidates). A core part of this role is bringing it to market online: building the launch story, positioning, and pages that make a breakthrough product land with both technical buyers and the broader public. We specifically want someone with experience launching disruptive, market-shifting products (ideally in energy, fuels, sustainability, or a similarly technical category). What You’ll Do • Redesign (link removed) and consolidate its microsites (e.g. our investor portal and product sheets into one cohesive, central source of truth. • Use the latest AI tools to design, build, and iterate, including AI-generated visuals, video, and animation to convey complex messaging clearly and beautifully. • Lead every story with economics: abundance, lower cost, market expansion, and revenue from CO2 emissions, and position regulatory compliance as a secondary benefit. • Structure the site around our audiences in priority order: power plants, large industry, data centers, then buildings/urban, each with its own economic case. • Adapt messaging to multiple audiences and worldviews (environmental/idealistic and pro-energy/pro-business) and tailor it region-to-region and country-to-country, while keeping the overall tone pragmatic and apolitical. • Lead the online go-to-market for a major new product launching soon, including launch narrative, positioning, and conversion-focused pages. • Translate dense, highly technical engineering content and product/spec sheets into material the general public can understand, without dumbing it down for technical buyers. • Preserve and grow our SEO performance, and run ongoing SEM. Protect existing rankings through any migration or restructure. • Optimize for AI discoverability (GEO/AEO): structure our content and data so AI systems (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Gemini, etc.) accurately ingest, understand, and relay our message. • Continue managing and evolving the site after launch (the retainer phase). Must-Have Experience • Proven, portfolio-backed web design and front-end build for modern, high-credibility brands. • Deep, current command of AI design/content/video/animation tools in a real production workflow, not just experimentation. • Expert-level SEO and SEM, including site migrations that protect existing rankings, technical SEO, and structured data. • Experience optimizing content so AI/LLMs correctly receive and represent a brand’s message (generative engine optimization). • Ability to make technical material accessible to broad audiences while serving expert readers. • Comfort handling messaging across the political spectrum and across international markets, with a steady, neutral hand. • Product-launch experience, specifically launching disruptive or price-breaking products, and making a new category land with the market. Strongly Preferred • Genuine understanding of energy, both fossil fuels and renewables. • Background or working knowledge of chemistry / chemical engineering and environmental science, enough to engage credibly with our technical content. • Multilingual / multi-region localization experience. • A track record of long-term, reliable client relationships as an independent contractor. How We Evaluate (Please Read) We weigh demonstrated results over hourly rate, and we read every proposal closely. We are not impressed by high bids, polished agency pitches, or generic cover letters. A clear portfolio with proof beats all of them. A thoughtful proposal from any region is far more likely to win this than an expensive one without specifics. To keep this efficient for everyone, we will only review proposals that: • Begin with the word “ENERGYREALISM” as the first line, so we know you read this in full. Proposals without it are deleted unread. • Include at least one live example of AI-generated visuals/video/animation you personally produced, and one SEO result or site migration where rankings held or improved. • Are written by the person who will actually do the work. No agencies, no account managers, no “our team.” Generic, copy-paste, or AI-spam proposals will be passed over. How to Apply After the ENERGYREALISM line, please include: 1. A short note on why this project fits you and how you approach apolitical, multi-audience messaging. 2. Portfolio links: your AI visual/video/animation work, and your SEO/migration proof. 3. The AI tools you use day-to-day and what for (including anything for AI/LLM discoverability). 4. Any energy, chemistry, or environmental background. 5. Your typical hourly rate and general availability. We’re moving fast and want to start interviewing immediately. Strong individual contractors (or a small, senior partnership) only. We are not looking to hire an agency.