R&D engineer - Refrigeration and HVAC

Youmatter HR; Chennai; On-site; INR 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Youmatter HR is seeking an HVAC & Refrigeration Engineer in Chennai to join the R&D team. The role involves hands-on design, testing, and optimization of vapor-compression systems to improve energy efficiency and reliability across AWG product lines.

Collaboration with cross-functional teams and field troubleshooting are integral parts of the role. The position expects 1–3 years of relevant experience and a background in mechanical engineering with a focus on refrigeration, thermodynamics

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech/M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 1–3 years in HVAC, refrigeration or thermal systems.
• Strong understanding of vapor-compression cycles, thermodynamics, heat transfer and refrigeration components.
• Experience with refrigeration testing or troubleshooting.
• Data-driven approach to engineering decisions.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize vapor-compression refrigeration systems.
• Perform refrigeration cycle analysis and system-level performance calculations.
• Select and size compressors, evaporators, condensers, expansion devices, fans and related components.
• Optimize refrigerant charge, superheat, subcooling and operating parameters.
• Analyze cooling capacity, COP and overall system energy performance.
• Develop tests procedures and performance benchmarks.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical and controls teams.
• Provide technical inputs during product testing and field deployments.

Skills

HVAC design

Troubleshooting

Thermal engineering

Energy efficiency

Vapor-compression cycles

Education

Bachelor/Master in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MATLAB

Python

Excel

CoolPack/RefProp

SolidWorks/AutoCAD

Job description

Job Type: Full-Time

Experience: 1-3 Years

CTC: 4.5 LPA - 6 LPA

Industry: Climate-Tech / WaterTech / HVAC & Refrigeration

About the Company

We are hiring for a climate-tech company developing innovative water-generation and

thermal technologies.

The company is working on products that combine refrigeration, thermal engineering and

multidisciplinary systems to address real-world water and sustainability challenges.

Work on the design, testing and optimization of refrigeration and HVAC systems for

Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) products.

About the Role

We are looking for an HVAC & Refrigeration Engineer to join the R&D / Product Engineering

team.

The role involves hands-on work across refrigeration system design, testing, optimization

and troubleshooting. You will work on vapor-compression refrigeration systems and

contribute to improving system performance, energy efficiency, reliability and overall product

performance.

This role would suit someone who enjoys working with physical systems, prototypes and test

equipment and is comfortable moving between design, experimentation, analysis and

troubleshooting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and optimize vapor-compression refrigeration systems.
• Perform refrigeration cycle analysis and system-level performance calculations.
• Select and size compressors, evaporators, condensers, expansion devices, fans and related components.
• Optimize refrigerant charge, superheat, subcooling and operating parameters.
• Analyze cooling capacity, COP and overall system energy performance.

Thermal & Condensation Engineering

• Analyze heat transfer and condensation processes.
• Work on evaporator, airflow and heat-exchanger performance.
• Apply psychrometric and dew-point concepts to system performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve condensation and energy efficiency.
• Design and conduct refrigeration and thermal performance tests.
• Develop test procedures and performance benchmarks.
• Collect and analyze temperature, pressure, humidity, airflow, electrical and Prepare technical reports and recommend engineering improvements based on test results.
• Diagnose refrigeration and thermal issues in prototypes and deployed systems.
• Troubleshoot compressor performance, refrigerant flow, expansion devices, frosting, pressure and airflow-related issues.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Support technical resolution of field issues when required.

Product Development

• Support development and improvement of refrigeration-based products.
• Translate performance requirements into technical specifications.
• Support prototype development, testing and design iterations.
• Evaluate refrigeration components, heat exchangers, refrigerants and related technologies.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with mechanical, electrical, controls and other engineering teams.
• Coordinate with manufacturing and service teams to ensure practical and reliable designs.
• Support technical evaluation of refrigeration components and suppliers.
• Provide technical inputs during product testing and field deployments.

Required Qualifications

• B.E. / B.Tech / M.E. / M.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, HVAC, Energy Engineering or a related discipline.
• 1-3 years of relevant industry experience in HVAC, refrigeration, thermal systems, heat pumps, cooling systems or product engineering.
• Strong understanding of:
  • Vapor-compression refrigeration cycles
  • Thermodynamics
  • Heat transfer
  • Refrigeration system components
  • HVAC system design and troubleshooting
• Practical experience in refrigeration testing, commissioning or troubleshooting.
• Ability to analyze engineering data and identify performance improvement

Preferred Experience

• Experience with one or more of the following would be an advantage:
• Compressor selection and performance analysis
• Evaporator and condenser design
• TXV / EEV selection and optimization
• Refrigerant charging and system commissioning
• Superheat and subcooling measurement
• Psychrometric analysis
• MATLAB / Python / Excel for engineering analysis
• CoolPack / RefProp / Danfoss selection tools / DWSIM
• SolidWorks / AutoCAD or equivalent CAD tools
• Data acquisition and experimental testing

Experience with commonly used refrigerants would be an added advantage.

What We're Looking For

• Strong technical fundamentals with hands-on engineering capability.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot and solve technical problems.
• Comfortable working with machines, prototypes and test equipment.
• Data-driven approach to engineering decisions.
• Interest in energy efficiency and thermal performance.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Willingness to work across design, testing and field troubleshooting when required.

Why Join

• Work on real-world climate and water technology.
• Hands-on exposure to refrigeration and thermal product development.
• Opportunity to work across multidisciplinary engineering functions.
• High ownership and exposure to product development in an early-stage environment.
• Opportunity to contribute to technology addressing sustainability and resource

Note:

This is a hands-on engineering role. Candidates should be comfortable working from

the facility and participating in testing, troubleshooting, and field activities when required.

Candidates are encouraged to highlight relevant experience in HVAC/refrigeration system

design, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, thermal analysis or product