Job Description
Manufacturing Engineer – HVAC (P3)
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Engineer – HVAC (P3) is a fully proficient engineering professional responsible for designing, implementing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes related to HVAC systems and thermal management products.
This role operates with a high degree of autonomy and technical expertise, supporting production performance, product industrialization, cost optimization, quality improvement, and capacity expansion initiatives. The position serves as a key technical reference within the HVAC manufacturing domain and contributes to cross-functional initiatives including Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Product Engineering.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead process development and validation for HVAC manufacturing lines, including brazing, refrigeration systems assembly, leak testing, charging, electrical integration, and final system validation testing.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, delivery, and cost (SQDC).
- Analyze and optimize manufacturing cycle times, labor efficiency, and line balancing.
- Support NPI (New Product Introduction) activities, including process design, PFMEA, control plans, tooling requirements, and work instructions.
- Identify and implement automation or semi-automation opportunities to improve productivity and consistency.
- Provide technical troubleshooting support for complex HVAC system manufacturing issues (refrigeration performance, airflow optimization, heat transfer efficiency, etc.).
- Ensure compliance with applicable HVAC regulatory standards (UL, CSA, AHRI, ASHRAE, EPA, and other regional requirements as applicable).
- Collaborate with Design Engineering to ensure manufacturability (DFM/DFA) of new products.
- Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions related to product or process deviations.
- Support capital expenditure projects, including equipment specification, layout design, FAT/SAT validation, and commissioning.
- Mentor junior engineers (P1/P2) and provide technical guidance when required.
Scope & Impact (P3 Level Alignment – WTW Framework)
- Operates independently on complex technical assignments.
- Applies advanced knowledge of HVAC systems and manufacturing engineering principles.
- Impacts line-level performance, cost structure, and product quality.
- May lead projects or workstreams but does not have direct people management responsibility.
- Influences cross-functional stakeholders through technical expertise.
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred (optional).
Experience:
- 5–8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
- Strong experience in HVAC or refrigeration systems manufacturing.
- Experience with high-mix / medium-volume or industrial HVAC production environments preferred.
Technical Competencies
- Deep understanding of:
- Refrigeration cycles and thermodynamics
- Heat exchangers and airflow systems
- Brazing and refrigeration piping processes
- Leak detection and refrigerant charging systems
- PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma methodologies (Green Belt preferred)
- CAD systems and manufacturing documentation tools
- Industrialization of HVAC assemblies
- Regulatory compliance in HVAC manufacturing
Behavioral Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Structured decision-making capability
- Effective cross-functional communication
- Results-driven mindset
- Continuous improvement orientation
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
Performance Indicators
- Manufacturing yield improvement
- Scrap and rework reduction
- Cycle time and labor efficiency improvement
- On-time NPI launch support
- Equipment uptime and process stability
- Cost reduction initiatives delivered