Mechanical Engineer

📍

Location:

Somerville, MA (Hybrid) 👥 Team: Product 🧭

Reports to:

VP of Product 💼 Type: Full-time (exempt)

📌
About the Job

Dandelion Energy is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Mechanical/Test Engineer to join our team! This role will be integral to developing, testing, and launching geothermal systems that are optimized for production home builders and significantly accelerate the adoption of geothermal in the US new construction market.

This position will design, build, and own the testing processes that underpin our product development efforts. Responsibilities will include building, developing, implementing, and analyzing data from automated test stands using Python. In addition, you’ll construct physical test setups in the lab and in the field. This position will require occasional travel to our various field sites in order to implement tests and support pilot installations.

In addition, this position will support the research, modeling, and design of optimal geothermal systems. As part of this effort, you’ll interface across Dandelion’s organization and with industry-leading manufacturing partners to deliver next-generation geothermal systems.

• Test Automation & Data:
  Design, develop, and maintain Python packages specifically for test automation and the analysis of experimental data.
• Infrastructure Ownership:
  Take full ownership of test systems and their interfaces, ensuring they are reliable and scalable.
• Physical Setup:
  Support the physical assembly and operation of test stands; this includes building custom setups in both laboratory environments and real-world field sites.
• Documentation:
  Maintain rigorous records by documenting test procedures, results, and findings in a clear, concise manner to inform the engineering team.
• Field Validation:
  Conduct field testing and oversee the pilot installation of new technologies to ensure lab results translate to the real world.

• Geothermal System Modeling:
  Support efforts to model complex geothermal systems and use field test data to validate and refine these models.
• Product Development:
  Contribute to the research, modeling, and design of optimal geothermal systems tailored for the production home builder market.
• Manufacturing
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Interface with Joint Design Manufacturing partners to support the design and implementation of custom heat pump hardware.
• Cross-Functional Integration:
  Work across Dandelion’s internal departments and with industry-leading partners to deliver next-generation geothermal solutions.
• System Optimization:
  Ensure that new designs are optimized for mass-market production, focusing on accelerating the adoption of geothermal energy in US new construction.

🎯 We’re looking for:

• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Comfort with ambiguity and a proactive, self-directed mindset
• Curiosity, ownership, and a bias toward action
• Passion for sustainability or mission-driven work
• A positive, team-first mentality
• Availability to start in the near term (this role is not intended for candidates seeking a delayed start date).

✅ Must-haves:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Experience using Python (ideally with Git or similar version control tools)
• Familiarity with data acquisition hardware and software (especially when paired with Python)
• Understanding of basic electrical and mechanical principles
• Solid problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Solid Works or other 3D CAD experience
• Hands-on experience in a machine shop or lab environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

The ideal candidate may not have every skill listed above, we are looking for a highly motivated individual who wants to make a real world impact.

Dandelion Energy is transforming how homes are heated and cooled—starting from (below) the ground up. As the nation’s leading residential geothermal company, we design, install, and maintain all-in-one heating and cooling systems that are cleaner, quieter, more affordable, and up to 4× more…