Sr. Refrigeration Engineer

Associated Environmental Systems; Chelmsford (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Casual work environment

Direct engagement with senior leadership

Exposure to cutting-edge applications

Job summary

Associated Environmental Systems in Chelmsford, MA is looking for a Senior Refrigeration Systems Engineer to lead refrigeration architecture across various platforms. This highly technical role involves ensuring system performance and compliance, collaborating with sales on refrigeration solutions, and supporting manufacturing processes. Requires a B.S. in Mechanical or Refrigeration Engineering and over 10 years of relevant experience. Competitive salary and a casual work environment are offered alongside opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of refrigeration engineering experience.
• Strong understanding of refrigeration piping best practices.
• Ability to analyze pressure and temperature data for system diagnostics.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the refrigeration subject matter expert for system architecture.
• Lead the optimization of refrigeration systems using thermodynamic modeling.
• Work with Sales to develop compliant refrigeration solutions.
• Validate refrigeration system performance during testing and troubleshoot issues.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Refrigeration mass flow analysis

Heat transfer principles

Troubleshooting medium and low temperature refrigeration systems

Cascade refrigeration systems

2D CAD software proficiency

Excellent communication skills

Education

B.S. in Mechanical or Refrigeration Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks Electrical

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Refrigeration Systems Engineer to serve as our internal refrigeration subject matter expert. This individual will lead refrigeration architecture across both standard production platforms and complex custom systems.

This is a highly technical and strategically important role. The ideal candidate will drive system performance, regulatory compliance, application engineering alignment, refrigerant transition strategy, and long‑term refrigeration capability within the organization.

This role works closely with Sales to develop technically sound, compliant refrigeration solutions aligned with customer requirements and application demands. In addition, this position is central to manufacturing floor support and service support, ensuring systems perform as designed, troubleshooting complex issues, and driving continuous improvement across production and field performance.

Who we are

We are an innovative manufacturing company that focuses on growth and technology and enjoys having fun along the way. We have built an extensive and loyal customer base spanning aerospace, electronics, and automotive with significant involvement in the global expansion of the battery industry. We work with many of the major tech companies as well as brands such as Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, Meta, Google, and Harley Davidson.

Primary Responsibilities

• Serve as the company’s refrigeration subject matter expert, owning system architecture and performance across standard and custom environmental chamber platforms.
• Lead the architecture and optimisation of single-stage, cascade, and LN₂-assisted refrigeration systems, utilizing detailed thermodynamic and load modelling to ensure robust performance, operational stability, and scalable manufacturing integration.
• Develop refrigeration state diagrams and performance models to validate dynamic chamber conditions, including extreme temperature pull‐down and humidity integration.
• Develop and maintain refrigeration schematics, component selections, and Bills of Material in collaboration with mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines.
• Experience supporting refrigeration research and development initiatives, including prototyping, performance validation, and iterative refinement of next‑generation system architectures.
• Partner closely with Sales to develop technically sound, compliant refrigeration solutions aligned with customer requirements, including application review of thermal loads, airflow, humidity, facility constraints, and performance expectations.
• Lead evaluation and implementation of A2L refrigerants, including system architecture modifications, charge minimisation strategies, mitigation approaches, and product safety integration required for mildly flammable refrigerants.
• Interface directly with NRTL and certification bodies (UL, Intertek, CE, etc.), preparing technical documentation, supporting product approvals, and ensuring compliance with EPA, NFPA, and any/all applicable safety standards.
• Validate refrigeration system performance during test, troubleshoot deviations, and support Service with complex field issues and installations.
• Execute and approve refrigeration‑related ECOs while driving continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, repeatability, and production throughput.
• Establish refrigeration design standards, contribute to cross‑functional design reviews, and mentor developing engineers as refrigeration capability expands.

Required Skills & Experience

• Strong foundation in thermodynamics, refrigeration mass flow analysis, and heat transfer principles.
• Practical experience designing and troubleshooting extended medium and low temperature refrigeration systems (R410A, R404A, R449A, & R508B).
• Experience with cascade refrigeration systems and LN₂ integration.
• Working knowledge of A2L refrigerants (R454A) and associated safety considerations preferred.
• Experience interfacing with certification bodies (TUV, UL, Intertek, CE or similar) preferred.
• Strong understanding of refrigeration piping best practices including oil management, pressure drop mitigation, and liquid migration control.
• Ability to analyse pressure and temperature data for system diagnostics and performance validation.
• Proficiency in 2D CAD software; SolidWorks Electrical preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting capability and mechanical aptitude.
• Excellent communication skills with ability to collaborate across engineering, sales, manufacturing, service, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail

Education & Experience

• B.S. in Mechanical or Refrigeration Engineering preferred.
• 10+ years of refrigeration engineering experience

What We Offer

• A collaborative environment with direct engagement with senior leadership.
• The opportunity to shape refrigeration strategy during a major A2L refrigerant transition.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge battery and environmental testing applications.
• Competitive salary and benefits.
• A casual, dog‑friendly work environment with a small company atmosphere.