Marine HVAC Design Engineer – Ducting, Cooling, and Heating Systems

The Junior Marine HVAC Design Engineer – Ducting, Cooling, and Heating Systems supports the design, layout, and specification of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for commercial ships, offshore platforms, and naval vessels. Working under the supervision of senior engineers, this role focuses on the preparation of 2D/3D HVAC layouts, duct routing, and equipment integration to ensure thermal comfort, air quality, and regulatory compliance in marine environments.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Assist in the design of HVAC ductwork, chilled water piping, and air distribution layouts based on system requirements and compartment arrangements.

  • Generate technical drawings, system schematics, and 3D models using tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, or Rhino/ShipConstructor.

  • Support the selection and specification of HVAC equipment, including chillers, AHUs, fan coils, heaters, and ventilation fans.

  • Conduct basic heat load calculations and space conditioning analyses for different shipboard zones (e.g., accommodation, machinery, electronics).

  • Participate in ventilation zoning, fire boundary interface checks, and coordination with structural and piping systems.

  • Prepare and maintain bill of materials (BOMs), duct schedules, and equipment lists.

  • Collaborate with production, procurement, and QA/QC teams to address design feedback and resolve installation concerns.

  • Ensure designs comply with marine classification society rules (ABS, DNV, BV) and regulations (IMO, SOLAS, USCG).

  • Support design reviews, customer presentations, and documentation updates.

Key Focus Areas:

1. HVAC Layout and Routing Support
   – Develop preliminary and detailed layouts for ducting, chilled water lines, and fresh air/exhaust systems.

2. Design Documentation and Drafting
   – Assist in producing system drawings, isometric views, and coordination models to support production and installation.

3. Marine HVAC Equipment Familiarity
   – Learn sizing and selection principles for air handling units, condensers, fans, electric heaters, and filters suitable for marine environments.

4. Compliance and Standards Awareness
   – Gain working knowledge of marine HVAC design codes and practices, including fire dampers, smoke control, and zone ventilation.

Qualifications and Skills:

• • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, or Naval Architecture.

  • 0–2 years of experience (internships or academic projects in HVAC or ship design preferred).

  • Familiarity with HVAC fundamentals, psychrometrics, duct design, and heat transfer.

  • Basic skills in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or other 2D/3D CAD tools; exposure to Revit or Rhino a plus.

  • Strong attention to detail, willingness to learn marine systems, and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.

  • Good verbal and written communication skills for report writing and technical documentation.

Preferred:

• • Exposure to shipyard environments, HVAC installation drawings, or marine construction projects.

  • Understanding of SOLAS/IMO fire zone design, machinery ventilation needs, or HVAC redundancy requirements.

  • Interest in long-term development toward marine HVAC design, testing, and integration roles.