Mechanical Engineer - thermal / fluid - heat exchanger / thermodynamics

InnoTech Staffing • Cambridge, MA

2d • $110,000 - $160,000 • Onsite

About The Position

InnoTECH Staffing is seeking a Mechanical Thermal System Design Engineer with experience in the design, modeling, and validation of thermal systems for energy, HVAC, and refrigeration applications. This role is for a startup in the Boston area and requires being onsite 5 days a week. The engineer will help design and optimize a heat pump system and its core subsystems. Experience with thermal or fluidic systems, or complex machines like engines, chemical reactors, or rockets is desirable. The role involves expanding experimental and design capabilities, improving prototype system performance and efficiency, and ensuring testing programs yield clear, actionable insights. The ideal candidate is a creative problem solver for complex thermal systems and thermofluidics challenges, comfortable in a fast-moving startup environment, and willing to take on diverse responsibilities. While the primary focus is on designing and executing experiments and validation testing, team members are expected to contribute broadly to prototype and product design, materials development, systems engineering, controls, and company-building initiatives.

Requirements

• BS degree plus 3-6 years of industry experience designing and developing thermal systems in energy, HVAC, refrigeration, or related industries.
• Strong hands-on experience designing, building, and testing prototype hardware or engineering systems.
• Experience applying thermal modeling tools and analytical methods to guide design decisions and reduce development risk.
• Deep understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics.
• A disciplined engineering mindset that balances creative problem solving with rigorous experimental design, including familiarity with structured testing, statistical methods, and systematic knowledge development.
• A pragmatic approach focused on generating results that directly enable the next stage of technology development.
• The ability to work independently, collaborate effectively within a small team, and take leadership when needed.
• US Citizen or Green Card holder.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with heat exchangers, phase-change phenomena, and coupled thermal–fluid systems is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design and analyze key components of solid refrigerant systems, including heat exchangers, thermal interfaces, and system-level heat flow paths.
• Develop analytical and numerical models to predict system behavior, identify performance bottlenecks, and guide engineering decisions.
• Use company test rigs and prototype subsystems to characterize thermal and mass transport properties of solid refrigerant composites.
• Plan, execute, and interpret thermal performance experiments on prototype subsystems and integrated systems.
• Collaborate with engineering team members to design experimental equipment and develop reliable testing methodologies.
• Improve and expand test infrastructure, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Contribute to the development of company culture, technical rigor, and engineering best practices.
• Mentor interns and co-op students working on research and development projects.

Benefits

• 60% of medical insurance premiums covered for employees and dependents on base plans.
• 100% of dental insurance premiums covered.
• 100% of vision insurance premiums covered.
• Unlimited Paid Time Off policy.
• Employee-contribution 401(k) plan.
• 12 weeks of paid parental bonding leave after 1-year anniversary.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level