The VP of Engineering – Marine HVAC and Life Support Systems is a key executive responsible for setting the strategic vision, managing engineering operations, and driving innovation in marine environmental control, HVAC, and life support systems for naval and commercial vessels. This role leads multi-disciplinary engineering teams to deliver robust, compliant, and energy-efficient solutions while ensuring alignment with business goals and regulatory requirements.
Develop and implement the overall engineering strategy for marine HVAC and life support systems, aligning with company vision and market demands.
Lead and inspire engineering teams across design, development, testing, and project execution functions.
Oversee R&D initiatives focused on innovation in HVAC technologies, environmental sustainability, and advanced life support systems.
Ensure compliance with international maritime regulations, classification societies, and client specifications (e.g., IMO, ABS, DNV, USCG).
Collaborate with business development, operations, and product management to identify growth opportunities and customer requirements.
Manage engineering budgets, resource planning, and capital investments for technology upgrades and facility improvements.
Drive process improvements to enhance product quality, reduce costs, and accelerate time-to-market.
Represent the company at industry conferences, regulatory forums, and customer engagements.
Establish and maintain strong partnerships with shipyards, OEMs, classification societies, and technology providers.
Mentor senior engineering leaders and foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, and accountability.
Strategic Engineering Leadership
Set long-term technology roadmaps for marine HVAC and life support systems.
Innovation & R&D Management
Champion development of energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable HVAC and life support solutions.
Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance
Ensure all engineering outputs meet or exceed marine industry regulations and quality standards.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with sales, project management, and operations to align technical capabilities with market needs.
Talent Development & Organizational Growth
Build and retain a high-performing engineering team through coaching and leadership development.
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline; advanced degrees preferred.
15+ years of progressive engineering leadership experience, including 7+ years in senior management within marine HVAC, environmental control, or life support systems.
Proven track record managing large engineering organizations and delivering complex marine systems projects.
Strong knowledge of marine HVAC technologies, life support system design, and related environmental regulations.
Exceptional strategic thinking, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience managing multi-million-dollar engineering budgets and large technical teams.
Familiarity with digital transformation, automation, and smart system integration in marine applications.
Experience working with naval and commercial shipbuilding programs.
Active membership or leadership roles in professional bodies such as ASHRAE, IMarEST, or SNAME.
Exposure to sustainability initiatives and green ship technologies.