Associate R&D Engineer

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

At Transaera, you’ll join a passionate team of engineers, scientists, and visionaries committed to creating a cooler, greener future. Everyone here owns outcomes, not just tasks. If you want to build something from scratch and leave your mark on a growing company, you'll fit right in.

Learn more about our revolutionary work at

Transaera is seeking an Associate Test Engineer to support the day-to-day operation of the custom test rigs that power our R&D program. In this hands-on role, you will operate multiple test systems, improve their reliability and efficiency, analyze performance data, and provide recommendations based on your findings. Because our test rigs are designed and built in-house, we are looking for someone who is proactive, resourceful, and comfortable working independently.

This is an entry-level opportunity, but candidates should have demonstrated experience with hands-on experimentation and problem-solving.

We're especially interested in individuals who:

• Are excited about the future of climate technology.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, growing startup environment.

• Take initiative, solve problems proactively, and are not afraid to ask questions.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Operating custom test rigs including sample preparation, test execution, teardown, and reporting of results.

• Improving rig reliability, calibration, throughput, and data collection, including automating routine measurements where practical.

• Analyzing test data, identifying trends and anomalies, and presenting conclusions and recommendations to the engineering team.

• Monitoring results as they are generated, investigating and resolving anomalies as they arise, and communicating findings and corrective actions.

• Maintaining calibration schedules, standard operating procedures, and test documentation.

• Supporting prototype builds and materials trials alongside the chemistry and manufacturing teams.

• Contributing to fixture and rig design and fabrication (CAD, 3D printing) as opportunities arise.

• BS in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, physics, or a related field. Recent graduates welcome.

• Hands-on experience with custom or instrumented test setups from a research lab, co-op, internship, or engineering project team.

• Experience carrying experiments from design through execution and analysis of your own data (Python, MATLAB, or Excel).

• Demonstrated ability to work independently: troubleshoot unexpected results, identify root causes, and resolve issues before escalating.

• Strong attention to detail in record-keeping and documentation.

• Comfortable with hand tools, basic wiring, and daily hands-on lab work.

• Parametric CAD (Solid Works, Onshape, or Fusion 360) and rapid prototyping experience such as 3D printing.

• Coursework or applied background in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or heat and mass transfer; psychrometrics a plus.

• Data acquisition experience:
  LabVIEW/NI hardware, Arduino or Raspberry Pi instrumentation, sensor selection and integration.

• Prior experience at a startup or in a small-team environment.

• Ground-floor opportunity to define a critical function at a fast-growing startup

• Competitive salary + meaningful equity in a VC-backed company

• Work directly with founders, executives and have a real seat at the table

• Mission-driven work to help bring about a revolution in HVAC technology

• Ground-floor opportunity to define a critical function at a fast-growing startup

• Competitive salary + meaningful equity in a VC-backed company

• Work directly with founders, executives and have a real seat at the table

• Mission-driven work to help bring about a revolution in HVAC technology