Director – Thermal and HVAC Control Valves

The Director – Thermal and HVAC Control Valves will lead the strategy, design, development, and global deployment of control valve systems critical to thermal management and HVAC applications. This includes coolant control valves, refrigerant expansion valves, pressure relief valves, diverter valves, and actuated thermal management components used in ICE, hybrid, and electric vehicle platforms.

This role will ensure system integration, compliance with performance standards, cost targets, and new technology readiness, while managing a global team of valve engineers and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Technology Leadership

• Define the global product roadmap for thermal and HVAC control valves aligned with evolving propulsion technologies (ICE, BEV, PHEV, FCV).

• Drive innovation in smart valves, electro-mechanical actuation, flow control, and modular valve design.

• Evaluate emerging thermal management trends and regulatory changes to guide R&D investments.

2. Design & Engineering Oversight

• Oversee design, simulation, and validation of thermal valves including pressure/flow regulation, sealing, materials compatibility, and thermal cycling.

• Manage DVP&R plans, DFMEA, and compliance with customer and regulatory specifications (e.g., SAE J2064, ISO 15500).

• Guide the use of advanced CAE tools (CFD, FEA, flow loop simulations) to predict performance and ensure robustness.

3. System Integration & Application Engineering

• Collaborate with vehicle thermal system architects, HVAC engineers, and controls teams to ensure seamless integration of valves into overall systems.

• Ensure valve systems meet performance targets for heating, cooling, battery thermal control, cabin comfort, and engine protection.

• Support platform-level trade-offs for size, weight, cost, and thermal dynamics.

4. Supplier and Quality Management

• Oversee supplier selection, qualification, and technical collaboration for valve components.

• Ensure quality assurance, PPAP/APQP compliance, and resolution of warranty and field issues.

• Evaluate sourcing strategies and support localization initiatives across global manufacturing sites.

5. Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a global team of valve engineers, technical specialists, and program managers.

• Build internal capability in smart actuation, system-level thermal control, and component miniaturization.

• Promote continuous learning, innovation, and standardization across teams.

Key Focus Areas:

• Control Valve Design for Thermal and HVAC Systems

• Advanced Thermal Management in ICE/EV Platforms

• Cost, Durability, and Flow Efficiency Optimization

• Supplier Collaboration and Quality Assurance

• Cross-Functional Engineering and Global Team Leadership

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related field.

• 10–15+ years of experience in thermal systems or HVAC valve/component engineering.

• Proven leadership in launching valve systems for automotive, aerospace, or industrial HVAC applications.

Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in fluid dynamics, valve kinematics, refrigerant and coolant compatibility.

• Knowledge of HVAC system controls, electric actuation, and smart valve integration.

• Familiarity with tools such as GT-SUITE, ANSYS Fluent, Flowmaster, MATLAB/Simulink.

• Strong communication, global collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.