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Lead HVAC & Thermal Engineer

Growing technology startup San Francisco, CA Direct Hire Engineering $150,000 - $210,000

Job Summary

Lead HVAC & Thermal Engineer role focused on owning the complete thermal management system for an electric recreational vehicle. This position drives cabin comfort design for off-grid living in extreme climates and leads both product improvements and next-generation thermal architecture development.

Essential Functions

  • Own the architecture and system-level development of HVAC and thermal management systems for cabin comfort applications
  • Triage and resolve real-time thermal issues from field customers through remote diagnosis and cross-team coordination
  • Drive continuous improvements to existing thermal products and implement updates to prevent recurring issues
  • Lead thermal system design for future product development initiatives
  • Collaborate with mechanical engineering, software integration, and field service teams on thermal solutions

Required Qualifications

  • 5-10 years of experience in HVAC or thermal system development for automotive or consumer products
  • Experience owning system-level HVAC or thermal architecture with full ownership from concept through production
  • Proven track record of commercializing a thermal or HVAC product from development through customer delivery
  • Hands-on experience with cabin comfort systems, not limited to battery or electronics cooling
  • Automotive OEM or adjacent hardware experience such as heat pump or water heater systems
  • Strong applied knowledge of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics
  • Ability to clearly articulate technical solutions and system designs

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with thermal simulation and modeling tools as a complement to hands-on development
  • Master's degree in mechanical engineering or related field

Technical Skills

  • Thermal simulation and modeling tools
  • CAD software
  • HVAC system design
  • Heat pump design
  • Thermodynamics
  • Heat transfer analysis
  • Fluid dynamics

Education & Certifications

BS in Mechanical Engineering or Thermal Engineering required. Master's degree in related field preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range of $150,000 to $210,000. Details on additional benefits available during the interview process.

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