HVAC Refrigeration Engineer

About the role

This Senior Refrigeration Engineer role focuses on the design and development of advanced refrigeration systems for ultra-low temperature and cold storage applications. You will create innovative, energy-efficient cooling solutions while driving technology development, optimizing product performance, and supporting new product introduction from concept through commercialization. The position offers the opportunity to work on next-generation refrigeration systems used in critical laboratory, research, and healthcare environments, and to build deep expertise in highly specialized refrigeration technologies.

Job Type & Location: This is a Contract position based out of Marietta, OH.

You will work in a blend of engineering office, laboratory, and product testing environments, with regular hands-on interaction with refrigeration systems, prototypes, and testing equipment. The role operates in a collaborative team setting that includes mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, quality, and operations groups. The product development environment is fast-paced and supports multiple concurrent projects, offering exposure to advanced refrigeration technologies and innovation initiatives. The position supports products manufactured across multiple locations and may involve up to 10% domestic travel. Relocation assistance may be available.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vapor-compression and cascade refrigeration systems for advanced cold storage and ultra-low temperature applications.
• Establish performance specifications at the system, subsystem, and component level to ensure robust and reliable operation.
• Develop and execute comprehensive testing plans to verify system performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform thermal modeling, simulation, and engineering analysis to support design decisions and optimize system efficiency and performance.
• Conduct trade studies and evaluate design alternatives to improve energy efficiency, performance, and overall cost-effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, manufacturing, and quality teams throughout all stages of product development.
• Support technology maturation efforts and advanced engineering initiatives aimed at innovative cooling technologies and sustainable refrigerant solutions.
• Ensure designs meet manufacturability, assembly, performance, and quality requirements for production environments.
• Analyze empirical test data, interpret results, and implement data-driven design improvements to enhance product performance.
• Maintain detailed technical documentation and requirements traceability throughout the development lifecycle.
• Support regulatory compliance activities, including adherence to industry certifications, standards, and best practices.
• Contribute to long-term technology and product roadmaps, influencing products from early-stage development through commercialization.
• Participate in validation testing and refrigeration performance optimization activities using data acquisition systems and automated testing setups.

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Coursework in Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Mechanics preferred.
• Master's degree in an engineering discipline preferred.
• 5+ years of refrigeration system design experience.
• Experience developing HVAC/R or cold storage products.
• Strong understanding of vapor-compression refrigeration cycles.
• Proficiency in designing vapor-compression and cascade refrigeration systems.
• Experience with thermal analysis, modeling, and simulation using thermal analysis software.
• Ability to analyze empirical test data and translate findings into targeted design improvements.
• Experience with technical documentation and requirements traceability throughout product development.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams