Thermal System Engineer

Spheros North America, Inc.; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Spheros North America, Inc. in Elkhart, Indiana, is seeking a System Engineer to oversee engineering activities and system architecture for truck and semi-trailer refrigeration products.

You will lead technical collaboration with global offshore design teams and manage localization projects with the project management team. The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field and at least 5 years in transport refrigeration engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Refrigeration Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of direct engineering experience in transport refrigeration.
• Design and evaluate transport refrigeration systems for cooling capacity, energy efficiency, and operating requirements.
• Apply DFMEA and structured root-cause analysis to identify risks and resolve failures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all engineering activities and system architecture for truck and semi-trailer refrigeration products.
• Lead collaboration with global offshore design engineering teams.
• Manage refrigeration localization projects with project management support.
• Define system-level thermodynamic, mechanical, and electrical requirements for refrigeration units.
• Guide component integration and ensure unit compatibility with various chassis and vehicle power architectures.
• Develop and execute test plans (DVP&R) to validate performance across ambient conditions.
• Travel to customer locations, testing facilities, and international sites as required.
• Handle ECRs, manage BOMs, and maintain releases in SAP.
• Provide high-level technical support to Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, and Field Service teams.

Skills

System engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

DFMEA

Testing planning

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

SAP

Google applications

Job description

Job Title

System Engineer

Department

R&D

Hierarchical Manager

Engineering Manager

Location

Elkhart, Indiana

Your challenges

• Oversee all engineering activities and system architecture for truck and semi-trailer refrigeration products.
• Lead technical collaboration and align design deliverables with global offshore design engineering teams.
• Manage refrigeration localization projects in close coordination with and supported by the project management team.
• Define system-level thermodynamic, mechanical, and electrical requirements for refrigeration units, compressors, evaporators, condensers, and control interfaces.
• Guide component integration and ensure unit compatibility with various truck chassis, trailer bodies, and vehicle power architectures.
• Conduct hands‑on testing, charging, and prototype lab work on refrigeration loops and systems, with support from the Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer.
• Develop and execute test plans (DVP&R) at internal and external test facilities to validate refrigeration capacity, pull‑down performance, airflow distribution, and component durability across diverse ambient conditions.
• Travel to customer locations, testing facilities, and international sites as required for application development, testing, and engineering support.
• Handle Engineering Change Requests (ECRs), manage Bills of Materials (BOMs), and maintain product releases within the company’s ERP system (SAP).
• Provide high‑level technical support to Sales, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, and Field Service teams for complex refrigeration troubleshooting and customer applications.
• Evaluate competitor benchmarks and industry trends to drive continuous product improvements in energy efficiency, refrigerant compliance, and system reliability.

Qualifications and responsibilities

• A Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal/Refrigeration Engineering, or a related technical field is required, along with at least 5 years of direct engineering experience in truck and semi‑trailer transport refrigeration engineering.
• Design and evaluate transport refrigeration systems to meet cooling capacity, energy efficiency, cargo temperature, and operating requirements across fresh, frozen, and multi-temperature applications.
• Size, select, and integrate refrigeration components, ensuring compatibility, reliable operation, and appropriate refrigerant and oil management.
• Collaborate on system controls, operating sequences, sensors, protective functions, and vehicle interfaces; interpret refrigeration schematics and electrical diagrams.
• Develop test plans and acceptance criteria, select instrumentation, analyze test data, and verify system performance against product requirements.
• Apply DFMEA, structured root cause analysis, and other engineering methods to identify risks, resolve laboratory and field failures, and verify corrective actions.
• Use engineering calculations, supplier performance data, modeling software, and data analysis tools to support design decisions and product improvements.
• Evaluate and qualify suppliers, alternate components, and localized designs for performance, reliability, compatibility, and cost.
• Support production readiness, product launch, installation, serviceability, technical documentation, and field validation throughout the product lifecycle.
• Work with compliance specialists to address applicable product, refrigerant, and market requirements, and maintain appropriate certification for assigned refrigerant‑handling work.
• Evaluate and integrate electric refrigeration, variable‑speed systems, vehicle communications, and lower‑GWP refrigerants, including their effects on energy consumption, compatibility, and safety.
• Familiarity with project management principles and experience leading localization or product adaptation projects in collaboration with a project management team.

General & Operational Requirements

• Ability to travel occasionally to customer sites, testing facilities, and internationally as needed.
• Familiarity with business ERP systems (SAP preferred) and Google applications.
• Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs. on a regular basis and valid US driver’s license.

Why Spheros

• Monetary. Performance‑related salary package
• Career development. Scope to develop your own ideas as well as professional and personal development opportunities worldwide.
• Flexibility. Working models that harmonize your professional and private life.
• Setting. Flat hierarchies and modern working methods provide you with an innovative working environment.
• Future. Together we work on the trend topics of tomorrow’s mobility. Great technologies are born from passion!

More information on Spheros: https://spheros.com/

Spheros is a global tech company and market leader in the development and manufacture of thermal management solutions for all passenger buses and coaches as well as refrigerated transportation fleets. Innovation, cutting‑edge technology and utmost customer mindset are our aim. Environmentally friendly and safe mobility is our vision. The company, with its headquarters in Gilching/Munich, has a workforce of more than 1,100 people. People with ideas, excellent know‑how and commitment for future technologies, who are shaping the future of urban mobility You quickly take on responsibility, you work in international teams and benefit from flat hierarchies of a medium‑size global company. You determine your own progress and personal growth. An open and constructive working atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to contribute ideas, characterize us as an employer.