Sr. Performance Engineer

Sr. Performance Engineer

Location: Somerville, MA (Onsite)
Employment type: Full-Time

Transaera is a fast-growing, VC-backed startup from MIT, dedicated to redefining the future of air conditioning with cutting‑edge, sustainable solutions. Based in Boston, MA, we’re tackling one of the planet’s most pressing challenges: making cooling more efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly.

As a Department of Energy grant recipient and a proud finalist in the prestigious Global Cooling Prize, our team is at the forefront of groundbreaking innovation. Our high‑efficiency air conditioning systems are designed to transform how the world stays cool while reducing environmental impact.

At Transaera, you’ll join a passionate team of engineers, scientists, and visionaries committed to creating a cooler, greener future. Learn more about our revolutionary work at

As a Sr. Performance Engineer at Transaera, you will play a key role in the design, development, and optimization of novel heat pump systems. You will contribute to the full lifecycle of thermal system development, from conceptual design to prototype testing and system optimization. This role demands a deep understanding of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, HVAC systems, controls, and refrigerant loops, as well as the ability to collaborate with the team and external partners in a fast‑paced, startup environment.

• System Performance Design: Development, maturation, and ownership of system performance model for Transaera’s next generation HVAC systems.
• Fielded System Performance Validation: Develop Digital Twin model, develop report generation, etc.
• Selection Software: develop customer selection software for product selection by specifying engineers, developers, partners, and other customers.
• Refrigerant System Design: Lead the design and development of refrigerant systems for novel heat pump technologies, including tube sizing, routing, insulation, and component selection.
• Heat Exchanger Design: Design and optimize heat exchangers, specifically evaporators and condensers, with a focus on refrigerant circuiting and thermal optimization for both refrigerant and air circuits.
• Thermal Modeling: Develop and implement first‑principles‑based thermal models for heat and mass transfer in desiccant‑enabled systems. Leverage tools like MATLAB, Python, and spreadsheets for first‑order models and detailed design analysis.
• Prototype Testing: Define and execute prototype builds and testing to validate thermal designs, ensuring that performance and efficiency targets are met.
• System Architecture and Trade‑offs: Analyze and communicate system architecture trade‑offs, particularly with respect to thermal considerations, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
• Collaboration & Communication: Present formal technical reviews internally and externally with customers. Track technical status, risks, and provide inputs to program planning.
• Cross‑functional
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Support the engineering team’s development efforts by providing key thermal inputs for integration with other systems.
• Team Leadership: Mentor junior engineers and lead a small team to effectively collaborate and execute on complex thermal system designs.

We recognize that there are many paths to success. While we list desired skills and qualifications below, we encourage you to apply if you meet most of them or have transferable experiences.

• 4-6 years of experience in thermal system design, with a strong background in HVAC systems, air conditioning, refrigerant system design, or similar fields.
• Deep knowledge of heat transfer principles, fluid dynamics, and HVAC systems.
• Practical experience in the design and optimization of thermal systems, including refrigerant loops, heat exchangers, and thermal management solutions.
• Strong proficiency in thermal modeling, including experience with hand calculations, spreadsheets, and software such as MATLAB or Python for system modeling and analysis.

• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to work autonomously in a fast‑paced, results‑driven environment.
• Excellent…