Job Description

Our client is a fast-growing, VC-backed startup from MIT, dedicated to redefining the future of air conditioning with cutting-edge, sustainable solutions. They are tackling one of the planet’s most pressing challenges: making cooling more efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly. As a Department of Energy grant recipient and a proud finalist in the prestigious Global Cooling Prize, our team is at the forefront of groundbreaking innovation. Their high-efficiency air conditioning systems are designed to transform how the world stays cool while reducing environmental impact. What You’ll Do As a Thermal Systems Engineer, you will play a key role in the design, development, and optimization of novel refrigerant and heat pump systems. You will contribute to the full lifecycle of thermal system development, from conceptual design to prototype testing and system optimization. This role demands a deep understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, HVAC systems, and refrigerant loops, alongside the ability to lead a small team in a fast-paced, startup environment. Key Responsibilities: Refrigerant System Design: Lead the design and development of refrigerant systems for novel heat pump technologies, including tube sizing, routing, insulation, and component selection. Heat Exchanger Design: Design and optimize heat exchangers, specifically evaporators and condensers, with a focus on refrigerant circuiting and thermal optimization for both refrigerant and air circuits. Thermal Modeling: Develop and implement first-principles-based thermal models for heat and mass transfer in desiccant-enabled systems. Leverage tools like MATLAB, Python, and spreadsheets for first-order models and detailed design analysis. Prototype Testing: Define and execute prototype builds and testing to validate thermal designs, ensuring that performance and efficiency targets are met. System Architecture and Trade-offs: Analyze and communicate system architecture trade-offs, particularly with respect to thermal considerations, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Collaboration & Communication: Present formal technical reviews internally and externally with customers. Track technical status, risks, and provide inputs to program planning. Cross-functional Collaboration: Support the engineering team’s development efforts by providing key thermal inputs for integration with other systems. Team Leadership: Mentor junior engineers and lead a small team to effectively collaborate and execute on complex thermal system designs. What You’ll Bring We recognize that there are many paths to success. While we list desired skills and qualifications below, we encourage you to apply if you meet most of them or have transferable experiences. Required Skills and Experience: ~4-6 years of experience in thermal system design, with a strong background in HVAC systems, air conditioners, refrigerant loops, or similar fields. ~ Deep knowledge of heat transfer principles, fluid dynamics, and HVAC systems. ~ Practical experience in the design and optimization of thermal systems, including refrigerant loops, heat exchangers, and thermal management solutions. ~ Strong proficiency in thermal modeling, including experience with hand calculations, spreadsheets, and software such as MATLAB or Python for system modeling and analysis. Skills: Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced, results-driven environment. Excellent communication skills to present technical data and collaborate with internal and external teams. Proficiency in prototyping and testing to verify design assumptions and ensure performance standards are met. Ability to lead a team, provide mentorship, and foster a collaborative engineering culture.

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