Mechanical Engineer

Open Systems Technologies; Needham (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Open Systems Technologies in Needham, MA is seeking an engineer to prove out technical feasibility for upcoming roadmap projects during an early-stage window, ahead of firm product definition.

You will work independently with daily check-ins with project management, identify what is functionally possible, and present cross‑functional options to accelerate how we achieve the desired outcome.

The role requires hands-on skills, strong analytical ability, and clear reporting on progress.

Qualifications

• Hands-on POC development from existing products with minimal guidance.
• Ability to analyze system interactions and surface gaps or risks.
• Design and execute tests to validate crucial assumptions.
• Solid grasp of heat transfer and thermodynamics relevant to products.
• Ability to digest data and report progress clearly.

Skills

POC Development

System Level Thinking

Test Design

Thermal Fundamentals

Data Analysis

Reporting

Independence

Job description

Job Description: This individual will be responsible for proving out technical feasibility for upcoming roadmap projects during an early-stage window, ahead of firm product definition.

This work directly shapes product definition by identifying what's functionally possible and giving the cross-functional team options for how to achieve the desired outcome. This role requires a high degree of independence supported by daily check-ins with project management.

Required skills include:

• POC Development – Harvesting components from existing products and adding or modifying as necessary to create a functional proof of concept. Strong hands‑on skills and creative thinking on how to move forward quickly are critical to success.
• System Level Thinking – Consider how all the parts interact with each other, look for unresolved issues, and chase them down.
• Test Design and Execution – Determine what we need to know and how best to learn it, then execute the plan. Familiarity with thermocouples, current clamps, and electro‑mechanical systems required.
• Thermal Fundamentals – Strong grasp of heat transfer principles. These products are thermally driven, and this understanding is critical to identifying feasible paths forward quickly.
• Data Analysis – Digest and compile data to understand how a system is working and determine next steps.
• Reporting – Generate clear written and verbal reports on progress.
• Independence – Comfortable operating with minimal daily oversight and navigating ambiguity without a fully defined spec.