Senior Project Engineer

Copeland

$95K — $115K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
  • 5 years of relevant work experience in product development or support roles.
  • Strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles including thermodynamics and fluid mechanics.
  • Experience with 3D CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks.
  • Experience using engineering analysis tools like ANSYS or Minitab.
  • Direct experience with compressors preferred; experience with pumps, motors, or turbines considered.

Responsibilities

  • Lead mechanical testing and validation for HVAC compressor components.
  • Apply engineering fundamentals to solve complex design challenges.
  • Evaluate new compressor technologies to enhance performance and sustainability.
  • Develop mechanical test plans to assess product reliability and design risk.
  • Analyze test data for actionable product improvements.
  • Drive product transitions from concept to production alongside multiple teams.
  • Present engineering insights and mentor junior engineers.

Benefits

  • Medical insurance plans including dental and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) retirement plan.
  • Flexible time off plans including paid parental leave and vacation.
  • Supportive work environment with opportunities to influence product design.
  • Collaborative work culture with a global team of experts.
Full Job Description
Senior Engineer - Mechanical Product Development (HVAC Compressors)

Location: Sidney, Ohio

Are you a Mechanical Engineer passionate about designing, developing, and validating complex mechanical systems? Do you enjoy applying principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, and materials engineering to solve challenging real-world problems?

Copeland is seeking a Senior Engineer - Mechanical Product Development to support the development of next-generation HVAC refrigerant compressors. In this role, you will lead the mechanical testing, analysis, and production launch of fixed-speed and variable-speed compressor technologies that improve performance, reliability, manufacturability, and sustainability.

This position is ideal for engineers who enjoy hands-on product development, mechanical system analysis, laboratory testing, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative rotating equipment solutions.

This role supports a hybrid work model; however, project demands and laboratory activities require regular onsite presence. New hires should expect to work onsite during the initial onboarding period.

What You'll Do

Lead Mechanical Product Development
  • Test, develop, and validate mechanical components and systems for HVAC compressor applications.
  • Apply engineering fundamentals including thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, machine design, dynamics, mechanics of materials, and tribology to solve product design challenges.
  • Evaluate and mature new compressor technologies, materials, and design concepts to improve product performance, durability, cost, and manufacturability.
  • Support development activities related to environmentally friendly refrigerants and next-generation HVAC technologies.

Perform Engineering Analysis and Validation
  • Develop and execute mechanical test plans to evaluate product performance, reliability, and design risk.
  • Utilize engineering tools such as NX, SolidWorks, ANSYS, and Minitab to perform design, simulation, analysis, and data interpretation.
  • Analyze test data and translate findings into actionable design improvements.
  • Apply structured engineering problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement robust solutions.
  • Investigate and troubleshoot compressor hardware issues through hands-on laboratory testing, component evaluation, and root cause analysis.

Drive Products Into Production
  • Partner with manufacturing, quality, application engineering, sourcing, and marketing teams to successfully transition products from concept through production launch.
  • Support design reviews, risk assessments, and continuous improvement activities throughout the product development process.
  • Apply Lean product development principles to improve engineering effectiveness and reduce development cycle time.

Provide Technical Leadership
  • Present engineering analyses, test results, and technical recommendations to engineering and business leadership.
  • Mentor developing engineers in mechanical design practices, engineering fundamentals, and disciplined problem-solving techniques.
  • Serve as a technical resource within global product development teams.

Required Qualifications

Education
  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering Technology.

Experience
  • 5 years of relevant work experience; including internship, new product development, quality, sustainability, lifecycle, or product support.

Technical Skills
  • Strong foundation in mechanical engineering fundamentals.
  • Experience applying thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, machine design, mechanics of materials, dynamics, or related disciplines.
  • Experience using 3D CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, Creo, Inventor, CATIA, or similar platforms.
  • Experience using engineering analysis tools such as ANSYS, Minitab, or equivalent.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze mechanical systems and solve complex engineering problems.
  • Direct experience with compressors strongly preferred. Experience with rotating equipment such as pumps, motors, turbines, engines, gearboxes, or similar mechanical systems will also be considered

Professional Skills
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple technical projects simultaneously.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences and present engineering recommendations to leadership teams.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications
  • 7 years of experience developing mechanical products, rotating equipment, compressors, pumps, motors, or similar equipment.
  • Experience with HVAC, refrigeration, or thermal systems.
  • Experience conducting laboratory testing and product validation.
  • Familiarity with Lean product development and design-for-manufacturing methodologies.
  • Experience working directly with manufacturing and production environments.

What Makes This Role Unique
  • Design and develop industry-leading compressor technology.
  • Work on challenging mechanical engineering problems involving thermodynamics, fluid flow, tribology, materials, and rotating machinery.
  • Influence the next generation of environmentally responsible HVAC products.
  • Collaborate with a global team of mechanical engineering experts.
  • See your designs progress from concept to production.


Flexible and competitive benefits plans offer the right options to meet your individual/family needs: medical insurance plans, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) and more. We provide employees with flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave, vacation and holiday leave.

Together, we have the opportunity - and the power - to continue to revolutionize the technology behind air conditioning, heating and refrigeration, and cultivate a better future. Learn more about us and how you can join our team!

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