Manatee Energy Lead Service Technician Somerville, MA · Full time

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Manatee Energy is on a mission to make heat pumps the obvious choice for every American home.

In an industry where 70% of installations are done incorrectly and pricing is a mystery, we're building something radically different. By automating 60% of the installation process through proprietary software, we've cracked the code on making heat pumps affordable and accessible. We believe there's no reason two neighbors should pay different prices for the same installation.

Our vision is bold but simple: replace every fossil fuel heating system in America with clean, efficient heat pumps. Not as a premium luxury, but as the only logical choice for heating and cooling.

Our mission

Heat pumps should be the new normal. Manatee is different from most HVAC startups because we're trying to do two things at once: deliver affordable installations and grow. We save homeowners money while still giving every home a rigorous system design and good project management.

Here's how we pursue that:

• Software built in-house. We build our own tools to run Manual J and Manual D analysis, so every system is engineered, not guessed. Everything is handled on our internal platform, purpose-built to automate a ton of design work, communication, & dispatch coordination.
• Research we publish. We test new systems, such as Midea window-unit heat pumps and Daikin Altherma air-to-water heat pumps, and publish what we learn, along with best practices. That helps consumers trust new brands and helps the rest of the industry move forward with us.
• New products, brought to market. Our work goes beyond heat pumps. We test new heat pump water heaters and help bring it to market, facilitate electrical upgrades with load balancing monitors, and connect residents with great deals on traditional solar (& soon, balcony solar!) alike. 
• Funding that backs the mission. We've received multiple grants totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars, which help us deliver on this work across Massachusetts.

Our momentum

We started about three years ago, and we've grown quickly every year since. Last year we completed roughly 65 to 70 installations. This year we're on track for about 110. With this year's grant funding, we're building a team that can deliver 150 to 200 affordable installations a year, while still publishing research and building internal tools that make us more efficient.

Why this role matters

A great installation can still leave a customer unhappy if what happens afterward goes poorly. This role owns that: service calls, punch-out items, and customer satisfaction once the install crew has moved on, with real authority to coordinate our subcontractors and step in yourself when needed.

You won't be diagnosing blind. Manatee's platform is built to make service easy: the relevant installation and service manuals are preloaded for every job, you can use plain-language text to pull up context (including what the customer reported), and Manatee flags likely causes based on the customer's equipment setup. You may also use new, early-stage R&D tools to help make this entire process easier.

You'll start from a strong base of knowledge, with multiple deeply technical teammates, and we'll send you to multiple manufacturer trainings every year, fully paid. It's a direct path to becoming our senior technician, with the chance to help design and eventually own our service plans.

What you'll do

• Hands-on service: diagnose and fix installed heat pump systems, commission systems, troubleshoot thermostats and circuit boards, and handle warranty claims and parts sourcing
• Lab and R&D: install and instrument test condensers from Daikin, Mitsubishi, and LG, help build out our shop, and help test early-stage tools on a range of equipment
• Coordination and customers: schedule and manage subcontractors on service and punch-out work, follow through directly with customers, and help shape our future service plans

Who we're looking for

• Solid HVAC and mechanical knowledge, and genuinely handy with tools. An HVAC license or experience is strongly preferred; we're open to training the right person if everything else is a strong fit
• A plus: experience commissioning systems, troubleshooting thermostats and circuit boards, or handling warranty claims
• Comfortable working independently with real decision-making authority
• A strong communicator and team player who's comfortable at a small startup

Life at Manatee

We're a small, lean startup of six to ten people, based at Greentown Labs alongside other climate and renewable energy startups. Everyone knows each other, and we stay local and experimental.

Compensation & benefits

• $70,000–$90,000 base salary, depending on experience and seniority
• Equity, with a one-year cliff, becomes part of the offer after your first year
• 2–3 weeks PTO plus holidays
• Health coverage, expected to start Q1 2027
• 401(k) plan
• Multiple manufacturer trainings every year, fully paid