Research Staff Engineer

About Carrier

Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life. Through cutting-edge advancements in climate solutions such as temperature control, air quality and transportation, we improve lives, empower critical industries and ensure safe transport of food, lifesaving medicines and more. Since inventing modern air conditioning in 1902, we lead with purpose: enhancing the lives we live and the world we share. We continue to lead because of our world-class, inclusive workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow on Carrier social media at @Carrier.

About this role

The Innovation Center of Excellence is seeking a motivated, results-oriented and experienced engineer to join our team based in East Syracuse, NY. As a Staff Research Engineer, you will serve as a technical leader driving the development of novel systems and technologies from concept through validation. You will play a key role in shaping and executing high-impact innovation programs that enable step-change improvements in performance, cost, sustainability, and digital capabilities. This includes advancing both near-to-mid-term differentiated solutions and longer-term disruptive innovations that may redefine system architectures and customer value.

You will work at the intersection of research and product realization, collaborating with cross-functional teams across COEs, platform organizations, and external partners to mature technologies and define clear transition paths into Carrier’s product and technology roadmaps. Your role will require translating ambiguity into structured learning, reducing technical risk, and ensuring that only validated, high-value opportunities progress toward commercialization.

This position is ideal for a technically deep, forward-thinking leader who thrives in an innovation environment, navigates uncertainty with confidence, and is passionate about enhancing lives and shaping the world we share.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of novel systems and technologies from concept through proof-of-concept and validation 
• Translate ambiguous problem statements into structured technical approaches, experiments, and learning plans 
• Define system architectures, requirements, and key technical tradeoffs for early-stage concepts 
• Drive rapid prototyping, modeling, and experimental validation to reduce technical risk 
• Identify, evaluate, and mature emerging technologies, including assessing technical feasibility and defining integration paths into future products and value propositions 
• Develop IP strategies to enable freedom to operate and protect key innovations 
• Identify and lead the development of externally funded research proposals, including government-sponsored programs, aligned with strategic technology priorities, and, if awarded, lead programs through technical execution and delivery 
• Collaborate cross-functionally with COEs, platform teams, and business units to ensure alignment and enable successful technology transition 
• Partner with external stakeholders, including universities, startups, and industry collaborators, to accelerate innovation 
• Communicate progress, risks, and insights to technical and executive leadership 
• Mentor and guide engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and accountability 

Required Qualifications  

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Thermal, Aerospace or Systems engineering with 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience or PhD with 3+ years of hands-on engineering experience.
• 3+ years of experience in heat transfer, thermodynamic cycles, fluid dynamics, or related engineering domains
• 3+ years of experience with physics-based modeling and simulation tools (e.g., CFD, FEA, or system-level modeling) 
• 3+ years of experience designing, executing, and analyzing system- and component-level testing for technology validation

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Engineering or a related field 
• 5+ years of experience in HVAC&R or related industrial applications 
• Deep understanding of HVAC&R systems, thermodynamic cycles, and psychrometric analysis 
• Proven experience leading early-stage innovation, research, or advanced development programs from concept through validation 
• Demonstrated ability to translate emerging technologies into differentiated solutions aligned with product and customer value 
• Experience with system architecture development and multidisciplinary engineering integration 
• Experience developing intellectual property, including invention disclosures and patents 
• Experience identifying, developing, and securing externally funded research programs (e.g., DOE, NSF, ARPA-E) 
• Familiarity with technology development processes, including Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) (e.g., NASA, ISO 16290) 
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment without direct authority 
• Experience collaborating with external partners, including universities, startups, and research institutions 
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in ambiguous, fast-paced innovation environments 

Pay Range

The annual salary for this position is between $96,000.00 - $192,000.00 annually. Factors which may affect pay within this range include, but are not limited to, skills, education, experience, and other unique qualifications of the successful candidate.

Other Compensation

This position is entitled to short-term cash incentives, subject to plan requirements.

Benefits

Employees are eligible for benefits, including:

• Health Care Benefits : Medical, Dental, Vision; Wellness incentives

• Retirement Benefits

• Time off and Leave : Paid vacation days, up to 15 days; paid sick days, up to 5 days; paid personal leave, up to 5 days; paid holidays, up to 13 days; birth and adoption leave; parental leave; family and medical leave; bereavement leave; jury duty leave; military leave; purchased vacation

• Disability : Short-term and long-term disability

• Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment

• Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Health Savings Account; Health Care Spending Account; Dependent Care Spending Account

• Tuition Assistance

To learn more about our benefits offering, please click here Work with us | Carrier Corporate . The specific benefits available to any employee may vary depending on state and local laws and eligibility factors, such as date of hire and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Carrier EEO Statement and Accommodations Process

Carrier is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status or any other applicable state or federal protected class. Carrier provides affirmative action in employment for qualified individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with section 503 of Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, participate in an interview, or otherwise engage in the hiring process, please contact us at [email protected] . We will make every effort to meet your needs in accordance with applicable laws.

Application Deadline

Applications will be accepted for at least 3  days from Job Posting Date: 18 June 2026

Job Applicant's Privacy Notice

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Use of AI

Technology-enabled tools may support parts of the recruitment process, with oversight by people.