Principal Mechanical Engineer

Carrier Global Corporation, a global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety, and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality, and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries, and ensure the safe transport of food and lifesaving medicines. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share.

About the role

The Innovation Center of Excellence (COE) is seeking a Principal Engineer to drive the development of novel systems and technologies from concept through validation. This role will shape and execute high-impact innovation programs that enable step-change improvements in performance, cost, sustainability, and digital capabilities. You will work at the intersection of research and product realization, collaborating with cross-functional teams to mature technologies and define transition paths into Carrier’s product and technology roadmaps. This position is ideal for a technically deep, forward-thinking leader who thrives in an innovation environment and is passionate about enhancing lives and shaping the future of intelligent climate and energy solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the technical vision and development of novel systems and technologies from concept through proof-of-concept and validation.
• Lead R&D efforts, exploring new technologies and tools, reviewing patents, journals, and publicly available data to synthesize technical feasibility and propose strategies for disruptive technologies.
• Translate ambiguous problem statements into structured technical approaches, experiments, and learning plans.
• Define system architectures, requirements, and key technical tradeoffs for early-stage concepts.
• Drive rapid prototyping, modeling, and experimental validation to reduce technical risk.
• Identify, evaluate, and mature emerging technologies, including assessing technical feasibility and defining integration paths into future products and value propositions.
• Develop IP strategies to enable freedom to operate and protect key innovations.
• Lead cross-functional teams across COEs, platform teams, and business units to ensure alignment and enable successful technology maturation and transition.
• Partner with external stakeholders, including universities, startups, and industry collaborators, to accelerate innovation.
• Identify and lead the development of externally funded research proposals, including government-sponsored programs, and lead programs through technical execution and delivery.
• Communicate progress, risks, and insights to technical and executive leadership.
• Mentor and guide engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and accountability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in thermodynamic cycles, heat transfer, fluid dynamics, or related engineering domains.
• 10+ years of experience in HVAC/R industrial applications.
• 2+ years of experience serving as principal investigator or project team lead.
• 5+ years of experience with technology development process and technology readiness levels (TRLs).li>

  OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience as a Principal Investigator or Project Team Lead on an innovation-focused team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal, Chemical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering.
• 5 years of experience designing, executing, and analyzing system- and component-level testing for technology validation.
• 3 years of experience with physics-based modeling and simulation tools (e.g., CFD, FEA, or system-level modeling).
• Demonstrated project completion/delivery as a project lead.
• Experience with technology development process, including NASA/ISO 16290 technology readiness levels (TRLs).
• Experience with system architecture development and multidisciplinary engineering integration.
• Experience developing intellectual property, including invention disclosures and patents.
• Experience with design of experiments, test rig design, measurement system identification and implementation, instrumentation requirements development, and measurement uncertainty analysis.
• Experience working with universities, consortia, external labs, and/or start-ups, coordinating feasibility studies and evaluations through statements of work or joint development agreements.
• Strong communication and influencing skills for technical and non-technical stakeholders and working with executive levels.
• Familiarity with electromechanical systems including heat exchangers, compressors, motors, structural elements, HVAC equipment and applications, or similar systems.
• Familiarity with control standards for distributed energy resources.
• Familiarity with next-generation control strategies such as model predictive control, reinforcement learning, etc.

Pay

The annual salary for this position is between $117,500.00 and $234,500.00. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate. This position is also entitled to short-term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.

Benefits

• Health Care Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives
• Retirement Benefits
• Time off and Leave: Paid vacation days (up to 15 days), paid sick days (up to 5 days), paid personal leave (up to 5 days), paid holidays (up to 13 days), birth and adoption leave, parental leave, family and medical leave, bereavement leave, jury duty leave, military leave, purchased vacation
• Disability: Short-term and long-term disability
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account, Health Care Spending Account, Dependent Care Spending Account
• Tuition Assistance

The specific benefits available to any employee may vary depending on state and local laws and eligibility factors, such as date of hire and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.