Application Engineering Lead - Houston

About ErthSearch

ErthSearch is a recruitment agency specializing in placing top talent at ClimateTech startups and scaleups in the US. 

We believe the need for the right people is core to building a successful venture, and failure is not an option in the climate fight. 

The challenge: recruitment fees are often prohibitive. We are here to change that. Our cost model is transparent and affordable, so you can get the best talent on the market without it costing you an arm and a leg. 

Reach out if you want a genuine hiring partner – not another mercenary.

About Our Client

ErthSearch is working with Helix Earth, an award-winning clean tech startup spun out of Rice University and NASA that is transforming how commercial buildings handle humidity. Their core technology dramatically cuts air conditioning energy use and improves indoor air quality, directly addressing a sector on track to account for 10% of global CO2 emissions by 2050. 

The Role 

We are seeking an Applications Lead; you will own the applications function for the Helix MICRA™ in a hands-on, onsite player-coach role. You will independently run building load calculations and equipment sizing for active and prospective sites, build repeatable standard methods, and serve as the technical bridge between engineering and customer deployment. Training closely under the Director of Engineering, you will initially execute the work directly and later hire, train, and manage an applications team as deployment scales. 

Qualifications & Skills

Required

• 5+ years of experience in HVAC applications, sizing, or systems engineering with a strong background working in fast-moving startup environments.
• Demonstrated ability to perform building load calculations independently using standard commercial load methods and engineering software.
• Solid understanding of commercial HVAC systems (RTUs, ERVs, airflow, mixing) and working knowledge of refrigeration-cycle components sufficient to reason about equipment fit.
• Strong technical writing skills with direct experience producing field-facing documentation, such as installation guides, SOPs, and service procedures.
• A reliable organizational mindset to manage recurring workstreams under volume, paired with clean communication skills to interface with both engineering and commercial teams.

Nice to have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field.
• Prior experience with commercial rooftop/RTU applications, field integration constraints, and customer-facing or pre-sales technical support.
• Exposure to dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS), dehumidification technologies, psychrometrics, and energy calculations.
• Direct experience building an estimating or applications function, or a clear readiness to step into team leadership as operations scale.

Benefits

• A competitive base salary accompanied by an equity package in a rapidly growing company. 
• Comprehensive healthcare coverage including health, dental, and vision insurance.  
• A 401(k) retirement plan complete with an employer matching contribution.  
• Access to a flexible time-off policy.  
• Clear growth potential to own a function from the ground up and build your own team at the frontier of HVAC innovation.

Note 

[visa situation] This role requires US work rights - the company is unable to sponsor visa transfers. 

Application

If you are interested in this role and believe you are a good fit (ie: have 5+ yrs exp sizing HVAC systems for buildings, and the other things mentioned above) apply today. 

If you have any problems applying, you can reach out to Silas@erthsearch.com with your updated resume and reason for interest.