Mechanical Test Engineer / Senior Mechanical Test Engineer
Location: Westerville, OH
Work Model: Onsite
Schedule: 1st shift (approximately 8:00-4:00 or 9:00-5:00) and 2nd-shift opportunities
Employment Type: Full-time
Industry: Thermal Management / HVAC / Cooling Equipment
Salaries: 80K-90K for Junior OR 100K-120K for Senior
Relocation Provided
Test Engineer / Senior Test Engineer, Thermal Systems
We are seeking hands‑on Mechanical Engineers to support testing and validation of advanced thermal management and cooling products in an engineering laboratory environment.
These engineers will work directly with products such as precision air‑conditioning systems, CRAC units, chillers, and liquid‑cooling equipment, performing hands‑on setup, instrumentation, testing, troubleshooting, and analysis.
This opportunity is open to both early‑career and experienced engineers. Ideal candidates will have a Mechanical Engineering background with exposure to HVAC, cooling, thermodynamics, heat transfer, refrigeration, MEP systems, facilities equipment, or other thermal/mechanical systems.
What You’ll Do
Approximately 60%: Hands‑On Lab Testing
- Set up thermal and cooling equipment for performance testing.
- Install and configure instrumentation including thermocouples, pressure transducers, flow meters, and other sensors.
- Operate data acquisition systems and monitor test data.
- Conduct product performance and validation tests.
- Troubleshoot mechanical, thermal, electrical, instrumentation, and test‑setup issues.
- Perform instrumentation calibration and validation.
- Work directly with Test Technicians during testing activities.
Approximately 25%: Engineering & Analysis
- Create and execute engineering test plans and procedures.
- Review and analyze test results.
- Prepare engineering reports and technical presentations.
- Configure data acquisition systems and support LabVIEW applications.
- Partner with design engineers to determine test requirements, conditions, and acceptance criteria.
- Recommend improvements to testing procedures and methods.
Approximately 15%: Collaboration & Customer Support
- Communicate test results and technical findings to engineering teams.
- Support or lead Factory Witness Tests with customers.
- Explain test procedures and results during customer visits.
- For senior‑level hires, provide technical direction and priorities to Test Technicians.
- Communicate testing issues and corrective actions to engineering leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- Understanding of core mechanical engineering principles, particularly thermodynamics and heat transfer.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and interest in hands‑on equipment.
- Ability to troubleshoot mechanical systems and test setups.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and test documentation.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Ability to work onsite in a hands‑on laboratory environment.
Candidates do not need to come exclusively from an HVAC test lab. Relevant backgrounds may include:
- HVAC / HVAC‑R
- Data‑center cooling
- Precision cooling
- Thermal systems
- Facilities mechanical systems
- Building systems
- Mechanical equipment testing
- R&D laboratories
- Industrial mechanical equipment
Senior‑Level Qualifications
For the Senior Test Engineer opening:
- Approximately 6+ years of relevant engineering experience.
- Experience independently executing or leading complex equipment testing.
- Strong HVAC, cooling, thermal, refrigeration, or mechanical‑equipment experience.
- Ability to provide technical direction to technicians.
- Strong technical communication skills.
- Ability to present technical information to customers and engineering stakeholders.
Preferred Qualifications
- HVAC or refrigeration product‑testing experience.
- 3-phase electrical‑system knowledge.
- Experience with temperature, pressure, airflow, and flow instrumentation.
- Factory or customer witness testing experience.
- Precision cooling, CRAC/CRAH, chiller, or liquid‑cooling experience.