The Executive Director – HVAC Product Development is a senior executive leader responsible for defining, executing, and advancing the end-to-end product development strategy for HVAC systems. This role oversees a multidisciplinary engineering organization and leads cross-functional collaboration to deliver innovative, efficient, and compliant HVAC products across residential, commercial, and industrial segments. The Executive Director ensures technical excellence, speed-to-market, and customer-focused innovation, while aligning product development initiatives with corporate goals for sustainability, profitability, and global competitiveness.
Lead the vision and roadmap for HVAC product innovation, platform development, and product portfolio evolution.
Align product development strategy with corporate goals, market demands, regulatory trends, and sustainability initiatives.
Champion new technologies including variable refrigerant flow (VRF), inverter-driven systems, smart controls, and low-GWP refrigerants.
Oversee multiple product development programs, ensuring quality, cost, and schedule adherence from concept through commercialization.
Partner with product management, marketing, operations, and sourcing to define market requirements and product specifications.
Drive robust stage-gate and agile development processes to balance innovation velocity with engineering rigor.
Lead a world-class engineering team covering mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems integration disciplines.
Ensure designs meet technical performance goals, regulatory compliance (e.g., AHRI, UL, ASHRAE, DOE, EPA), and manufacturability.
Promote the use of digital tools (CAD/CAE/PLM), design-to-cost strategies, and test-driven development methodologies.
Foster a culture of continuous innovation, integrating energy efficiency, decarbonization, and circular design principles into all product lines.
Guide long-term R&D and technology scouting efforts for emerging trends in HVAC, IoT, and climate-focused technologies.
Build, mentor, and scale high-performing engineering and product development teams across global locations.
Promote talent development, succession planning, and knowledge sharing across engineering disciplines.
Cultivate a culture of accountability, cross-functional alignment, and continuous improvement.
Executive oversight of HVAC product design and innovation lifecycle
Cross-functional program leadership from concept to launch
Integration of sustainability and energy-efficient technologies
Global team leadership and engineering excellence
Agile product development, PLM processes, and digital engineering tools
Regulatory compliance and market-driven design alignment
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (required)
Advanced degree (MS, MBA, or Ph.D.) in Engineering, Business, or Product Management (preferred)
Project Management Professional (PMP), Lean Six Sigma certification, or Certified Innovation Executive (CInO) is a plus
15+ years of progressive experience in HVAC or mechanical product development
7+ years of executive-level leadership in a complex, matrixed R&D or product development environment
Proven success in leading cross-disciplinary engineering organizations with a focus on time-to-market, cost control, and performance
Deep understanding of HVAC systems, thermodynamics, refrigerant technologies, and air handling principles
Strong business acumen including product lifecycle cost modeling, ROI analysis, and market alignment
Proficiency in product development tools (CAD, PLM, FMEA, DFM/DFA, Agile/Stage-Gate hybrid models)
Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills
Visionary and innovation-driven with a bias for action
Strong decision-making and organizational alignment capabilities
Effective at leading change and scaling teams in a high-growth environment
Commitment to excellence, sustainability, and customer-centric design