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Heat Exchanger Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Furnace Technician

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$32 - $42/hr

VPE Thermal, a subsidiary of Vacuum Process Engineering, is a world-renowned leader in compact heat exchanger design and manufacturing. Our company serves a wide range of industries with commercial ...

FEA Mechanical Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$100K - $135K/yr

VPE Thermal, a subsidiary of Vacuum Process Engineering, is a world-renowned leader in microchannel heat exchanger design and manufacturing. Our company serves a wide range of industries with ...

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General Technician

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$32 - $42/hr

VPE Thermal, a subsidiary of Vacuum Process Engineering, is a world-renowned leader in compact heat exchanger design and manufacturing. Our company serves a wide range of industries with commercial ...

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Heat Exchanger Design Engineer information

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$10

$42

$62

How much do heat exchanger design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for heat exchanger design engineer in the United States is $42.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38.70 and $44.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Heat Exchanger Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectHeat Exchanger Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, relevant certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing, energy sectorVarious industries including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing
Industry UsageSpecialized in heat transfer equipmentBroader mechanical systems design

The Heat Exchanger Design Engineer focuses specifically on designing heat transfer equipment, requiring specialized knowledge in thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. In contrast, the Mechanical Design Engineer has a broader scope, working on various mechanical systems across multiple industries. Both roles often require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but their daily tasks and industry applications differ significantly.

What does a Heat Exchanger Design Engineer do?

A Heat Exchanger Design Engineer specializes in designing and developing heat exchangers, which are devices used to transfer heat between two or more fluids. Their responsibilities include analyzing thermal and mechanical requirements, selecting suitable materials, creating detailed designs, and ensuring that the exchangers meet industry standards and client specifications. They often use specialized software for simulations and calculations, collaborate with other engineering teams, and may also be involved in testing prototypes or troubleshooting existing systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Heat Exchanger Design Engineers during project execution?

Heat Exchanger Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance requirements with cost constraints, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and addressing space limitations within customer facilities. Additionally, they must collaborate closely with process engineers, fabricators, and clients to resolve technical issues and accommodate late-stage design changes. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential to managing these complexities and delivering reliable, efficient heat exchanger solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Heat Exchanger Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Heat Exchanger Design Engineer, you need a strong background in mechanical or chemical engineering, thermodynamics, and fluid mechanics, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Expertise in CAD software (such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks), heat exchanger design software (like HTRI or Aspen EDR), and familiarity with industry codes and certifications (e.g., ASME standards) are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top candidates apart. These competencies enable the engineer to create efficient, safe, and reliable heat exchanger systems that meet both technical and regulatory requirements.
More about Heat Exchanger Design Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Heat Exchanger Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Heat Exchanger Design Engineer job openings:
What job categories do people searching Heat Exchanger Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Heat Exchanger Design Engineer jobs are:
Infographic showing various Heat Exchanger Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $88,537 per year, or $42.6 per hour.

Furnace Technician

VPE Thermal LLC

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$32 - $42/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

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Job description

VPE Thermal, a subsidiary of Vacuum Process Engineering, is a world-renowned leader in compact heat exchanger design and manufacturing. Our company serves a wide range of industries with commercial products including power generation, chemical processing, oil/gas, nuclear and renewable energy with state-of-the-art heat exchangers. In addition to commercial products, we maintain a strong culture of internal R&D with exciting projects using cutting edge manufacturing technology and design/analysis tools to invent the heat exchangers of tomorrow. Our current team at VPE Thermal is offering an opportunity for a furnace technician with a strong practical background. As an addition to the team, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field with decades of experience and draw on your own background to contribute to projects that result in heat exchangers that power the world.

 

Job Description:

As a furnace technician at VPE Thermal, your primary role will be operating the diffusion bonding furnaces per the specifications provided by the engineering departments for manufacturing production heat exchanger designs. This job includes the following tasks:

  • Receives and stages parts with understanding of work as outlined in travelers and drawings
  • Assembles furnace load including platen selection/inspection, separator sheets installation, measurements for part centering, and thermocouple instrumentation
  • Loads and unloads assembled furnace runs with process documentation in furnace logbook
  • Communicates run status with scheduling department to reflect actual production cadence
  • Operates the furnace with detailed understanding of the data presented on the HMI to make real-time decisions and adjustments
  • Understands the furnace design at a high level and principles of operation to communicate with engineering and maintenance to maximize uptime and productivity


Required Experience:

  • More than four years of experience working in an industrial setting
  • Ability to interpret work instructions, schematics, and technical documentation
  • Prior experience operating high-temperature vacuum furnaces for heat treatment, brazing, or diffusion bonding
  • General knowledge of high voltage power electronics and low voltage controls and instrumentation
  • General knowledge of mechanical systems to perform basic preventive maintenance
  • Ability to interface with other departments including engineering, scheduling, and production


Desired Experience:

  • Associates degree or certification in mechanics, electronics, manufacturing, etc.
  • More than two years working in a high-paced manufacturing environment
  • Prior work experience in ISO9001/AS9100 environment

Company Description

VPE Thermal, a growth world leader in microchannel heat exchanger design and manufacturing serves many global industries including power generation, chemical processing, oil/gas, nuclear and renewable energy. We foster a strong culture of R&D, design, manufacturing and analysis to meet tomorrow’s heat exchanger challenges.