Mechanical Engineering Prototype Technician

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Fluctuating Temps hot/cold, Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery), Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

How will you make an impact?

As an R&D – Mechanical Engineering Prototype Technician, Technology Center, you will provide hands-on technical support for rapid prototyping, refrigeration system assembly, engineering builds, and test-model preparation supporting the development and evaluation of cold storage and laboratory equipment.

In this role, you will work closely with R&D engineers and Technology Center technicians to fabricate, assemble, modify, instrument, and troubleshoot prototype refrigeration and mechanical systems throughout the New Product Development (NPD) process. Your primary focus will be preparing functional test models for engineering performance, verification, and reliability evaluations, including refrigeration circuit assembly, brazing, refrigerant charging, and instrumentation.

Your technical skills will help engineering teams rapidly build, test, troubleshoot, and improve new products while ensuring prototype systems are prepared safely, accurately, and efficiently for engineering evaluation.

What will you do?

Safety, Laboratory & Equipment Management

• Maintain a safe work environment and demonstrate a high level of safety awareness when working with refrigeration systems, refrigerants, pressurized components, electrical equipment, and prototype products.
• Follow established safety procedures for brazing, refrigerant handling, pressure testing, evacuation, charging, and operation of refrigeration systems.
• Maintain an organized laboratory environment through 5S, Gemba walks, standard work, and good laboratory practices.
• Properly maintain tools, fabrication equipment, instrumentation, and refrigeration service equipment.
• Assist the Mechanical Prototype Lab Supervisor with inventory management, consumables, materials, and laboratory equipment readiness.

Mechanical Prototyping & Refrigeration System Assembly

• Fabricate, assemble, modify, and troubleshoot prototype mechanical and refrigeration systems supporting cold storage and laboratory equipment development.
• Perform refrigeration circuit assembly, including tubing preparation, bending, fitting, brazing, leak testing, evacuation, and refrigerant charging in accordance with engineering specifications and established procedures.
• Install and integrate refrigeration components including compressors, condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers, expansion devices, filters, tubing, fans, and related system components.
• Support prototype development of conventional and cascade refrigeration systems used in temperature-controlled and ultra-low temperature (ULT) products.
• Perform mechanical fabrication, sheet metal modifications, component mounting, and assembly activities using engineering drawings, CAD models, and work instructions.
• Support prototype electrical wiring, sensor installation, and integration of motors, relays, switches, and related electromechanical components.
• Work closely with engineers to implement design changes and rapidly prepare updated prototype configurations for testing.

Prototype Instrumentation & Test-Model Preparation

• Prepare and instrument prototype products, refrigeration systems, and test fixtures for engineering performance, verification, and reliability testing.
• Install thermocouples, temperature sensors, pressure transducers, and other measurement devices used to evaluate refrigeration and thermal system performance.
• Verify prototype assembly, refrigeration system operation, instrumentation readiness, and test configuration before transferring units for engineering evaluation.
• Assist with fabrication and installation of test fixtures, reliability test fixtures, and specialized laboratory equipment.
• Document prototype configurations, component changes, instrumentation locations, and build information using established laboratory information systems.

Engineering Test & Troubleshooting Support.

• Conduct assigned product evaluation and troubleshooting activities at the system, subsystem, and component level.
• Apply practical knowledge of refrigeration system operation to identify potential issues involving refrigerant charge, airflow, temperature performance, compressor operation, and mechanical system function.
• Assist with testing performed according to Engineering Test Procedures (ETPs) and engineering instructions.
• Communicate prototype build observations, test abnormalities, and troubleshooting findings to engineering teams.
• Support engineering builds from early prototypes through alpha, beta, pre-pilot, and pilot configurations as product development programs mature.

People and Culture

• Engage in a culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Travel: infrequent travel may be required.

How will you get here?

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, HVAC/R Technology, Refrigeration Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Relevant technical apprenticeship, vocational training, or equivalent combination of education and practical experience will be considered.
• EPA Section 608 certification preferred; required where applicable to assigned refrigerant-handling activities.

Experience

• 2+ years of hands-on experience in mechanical assembly, refrigeration/HVAC systems, prototype development, manufacturing, or related technical environments.
• Experience building, assembling, and troubleshooting refrigeration systems.
• Hands-on experience with refrigeration tubing fabrication, brazing, leak testing, evacuation, and refrigerant charging strongly preferred.
• Experience working with refrigeration components including compressors, heat exchangers, expansion devices, fans, tubing, and related components.
• Experience interpreting mechanical drawings, CAD models, schematics, and technical work instructions.
• Experience installing thermocouples, pressure transducers, sensors, and other engineering instrumentation.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, engineering testing, or manufacturing equipment troubleshooting.
• Experience working in an engineering laboratory, prototype shop, refrigeration manufacturing facility, or HVAC/R service environment preferred.
• Experience with ultra-low temperature or cascade refrigeration systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude with practical knowledge of refrigeration and HVAC/R systems.
• Ability to perform refrigeration system assembly, tubing fabrication, brazing, leak testing, evacuation, and charging activities safely and accurately.
• Working knowledge of vapor-compression refrigeration principles, system components, and common refrigeration troubleshooting methods.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, mechanical layouts, CAD models, wiring diagrams, and work instructions.
• Familiarity with refrigeration service equipment, including manifold gauges, vacuum pumps, refrigerant charging equipment, leak detectors, and temperature measurement devices.
• Ability to use common fabrication tools, hand tools, power tools, and precision measurement equipment.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition systems used for refrigeration and thermal performance testing.
• Basic electrical and electromechanical knowledge sufficient to support prototype wiring, component installation, and system troubleshooting.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to accurately document prototype configurations, build activities, technical issues, and test preparation.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to support multiple concurrent prototype and engineering test activities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with engineers, technicians, and cross-functional partners.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and common electronic documentation systems.
• Ability to frequently lift up to 30 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform hands-on work in laboratory and prototype environments.
• Commitment to safety, quality, teamwork, and continuous improvement.