The Director – HVAC Engineering is a senior technical leader responsible for overseeing the design, development, and validation of HVAC systems and components across residential, commercial, and industrial applications. This role leads a cross-functional team of mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers, driving innovation, engineering excellence, and product performance. The Director ensures projects align with corporate strategy, regulatory compliance, and customer requirements, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement, technical rigor, and cross-functional collaboration.
Define and execute the HVAC engineering strategy, aligned with product management, operations, and sustainability goals.
Drive the design and development of HVAC systems including air handling units, heat pumps, chillers, controls, and ventilation systems.
Manage engineering project portfolios to ensure delivery of new products on time, on budget, and with high quality.
Lead all stages of the product development lifecycle—from concept and prototyping to validation, certification, and launch.
Ensure application of robust engineering practices including DFMEA, DVP&R, design reviews, and root cause analysis.
Collaborate with product management and marketing to define technical requirements, specifications, and value propositions.
Build, lead, and mentor high-performing engineering teams, including mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.
Develop technical competencies, leadership capabilities, and succession plans across the engineering organization.
Promote a culture of innovation, accountability, and engineering rigor.
Drive continuous improvement in system efficiency, manufacturability, and reliability.
Integrate emerging technologies such as variable-speed compressors, smart controls, and low-GWP refrigerants.
Evaluate and implement advanced design tools (CAD/CAE/PLM) and digital engineering methods.
Ensure engineering designs meet all relevant codes and standards (AHRI, ASHRAE, UL, ISO, DOE, EPA, etc.).
Collaborate with quality, compliance, and testing teams to ensure product safety, performance, and certification.
Support sustainability and environmental initiatives through design for energy efficiency and lifecycle impact reduction.
End-to-end HVAC product development and engineering operations
Multidisciplinary team leadership across mechanical, electrical, and controls engineering
Integration of innovation, compliance, and manufacturability
Engineering governance, documentation, and risk mitigation
Cross-functional collaboration with marketing, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (required)
Master’s degree in Engineering Management, Systems Engineering, or MBA (preferred)
PE license, PMP, or Six Sigma certification is a plus
Familiarity with HVAC design and modeling tools (e.g., SolidWorks, ANSYS, CFD, HAP)
10+ years of experience in HVAC product design, system development, or related engineered systems
5+ years in a leadership role managing cross-functional engineering teams and development programs
Proven record of delivering innovative, high-performance HVAC products to market
Strong technical foundation in HVAC systems, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and electromechanical design
Excellent leadership, team-building, and talent development skills
Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving capabilities
Working knowledge of PLM systems, regulatory compliance, and design for manufacturability