Principal Systems Engineer

The Innovation COE is looking for talented and motivated principal investigators, systems engineers, and researchers who will be a part of Carrier’s Innovation center of excellence, to enable the development of innovative and novel intelligent Climate and Energy technologies in HVAC&R (Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning, and Refrigeration) applications. Innovation COE Americas is in Syracuse, which is the North American center for Carrier’s product design and development, as well as groundbreaking innovative research. We ideate, design, verify and validate new products and technologies across Carrier’s global portfolio, supporting Carrier’s goal to be the global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions.

As a Principal Systems 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 different 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 Job Responsibilities

• Lead and drive the technical vision and development of novel systems and technologies from concept through proof-of-concept and validation

• Lead R&D efforts; explore new technologies and tools, review patents, journals, and publicly available data to synthesize technical feasibility, and propose strategies for disruptive technologies

• 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

• Lead cross-functional teams across COEs, platform teams, and business units to ensure alignment and enable successful technology maturation and transition

• Partner with external stakeholders, including universities, startups, and industry collaborators, to accelerate innovation

• 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

• Communicate progress, risks, and insights to technical and executive leadership

• Mentor and guide engineers, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and accountability

• Must be self-driven and capable of driving development projects autonomously, while gathering feedback from appropriate experts and stakeholders, and implementing continuous improvement processes

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal, Chemical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering with 7+ years of hands-on engineering experience, or PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal, Chemical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering with 5+ years of hands-on engineering experience

• 3+ years of experience in thermodynamic cycles, heat transfer, 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

• 2+ years of experience serving as principal investigator or project team lead

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Mechanical, Aerospace, Thermal, Chemical, Electrical, or Sys