?Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer - Chiller Systems & Thermal Analysis
Job Description
The Senior Mechanical Engineer leads the engineering development of commercial water chiller systems and advanced cooling solutions, with a strong focus on data center applications and engineer-to-order (ETO) projects. This role designs, analyzes, and optimizes chiller and HVAC systems for maximum efficiency, reliability, and performance, while ensuring compliance with industry standards and alignment with global market needs. The engineer works closely with cross-functional teams across engineering, design, manufacturing, supply chain, and product management to deliver innovative, cost-effective, and high-quality solutions for complex, large-scale systems.
Responsibilities
Drive the analysis, conceptual design, and optimization of chiller systems for engineer-to-order (ETO) and data center applications.
Lead the engineering development of commercial water chilling systems, including integration of mechanical system designs into chiller and split system new product development programs.
Develop chiller system architectures that meet or exceed product development requirements and local/global market needs.
Apply thermodynamic and heat transfer principles to optimize and troubleshoot HVAC and chiller systems.
Perform thermodynamic-based modeling and optimization of chiller system design, including fluid filtration and pumping.
Conduct thermal analysis and simulations to evaluate system performance under various operating conditions and environments.
Support design and development of chiller systems, including component selection, system integration, and performance optimization.
Execute tests for systems, subsystems, and components, and analyze test results in relation to design specifications, rated performance, and test objectives.
Confirm product design performance, capability, and reliability in engineering product test laboratories.
Use selection and thermal analysis software, such as EES and Dymola, to model, analyze, and optimize chiller and HVAC systems.
Perform refrigerant system performance analysis, including compression application and tube-in-shell heat transfer evaluation.
Support systems integration, technical design, model-based design, systems analysis for supportability, effectiveness, and safety of technological systems.
Plan and support systems research, verification, and validation activities, including architecture development and requirements definition for commercial and industrial applications.
Integrate system activities across greater systems, interfaces between systems and subsystems, and systems and components.
Work cross-functionally with service and operations teams to effectively launch designs into production.
Collaborate with product marketing and product management teams to develop product requirements and ensure products meet customer needs at launch.
Work closely with designers and the design group to move orders through the design process and meet design schedules.
Support design reviews, including engineering-to-order systems with complex bills of materials (BOMs) containing 3000+ parts and subassemblies.
Collaborate with engineering, design, supply chain, scheduling, material planners, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure designs are feasible, manufacturable, and on schedule.
Engage with customers and vendors on engineering-to-order projects to clarify requirements, support component selection, and ensure alignment with quality and delivery metrics.
Work toward commonality and optimization of products and components to reduce design errors and escapes.
Follow all applicable design, safety, and qualification standards throughout development programs.
Produce parts, specifications, designs, and sketches for machines, components, systems, and work orders or purchase requests.
Support product testing and validation activities, analyze test results, and implement design improvements.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in thermal systems engineering, HVAC, and chiller technology.
Contribute to quoting and costing activities for special and engineer-to-order projects, helping ensure special orders meet quality and delivery metrics.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline (4-year engineering degree required).
Basic engineering degree with 5+ years of mechanical engineering design experience, or a Master's degree with 2+ years of mechanical engineering design experience.
Strong understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer, particularly as applied to chiller and HVAC systems.
Proficiency in thermodynamic-based modeling and optimization of chiller systems, including fluid filtration and pumping.
Experience with thermal analysis of chillers, HVAC systems, and heat exchangers.
Expertise in using selection and thermal analysis software such as EES and Dymola.
Experience with chiller modeling, tube-in-shell heat transfer, and pressure vessel design.
Experience with refrigerant system performance analysis and compression application.
Demonstrated project leadership experience, including leading technical workstreams or projects.
Experience with engineer-to-order (ETO) systems and complex BOMs with 3000+ parts and subassemblies.
Ability to analyze complex test data, interpret results, and present findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Familiarity with industry standards and regulations such as ASHRAE and AHRI.
Strong communication skills, primarily in English, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.
Proven leadership and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional and global environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience in new product development, service, and/or aftermarket environments.
HVAC industry experience, strongly preferred.
Experience working on data center cooling solutions and data farm special orders.
experience in systems integration, model-based design, systems analysis for supportability, effectiveness, and safety.
Experience with systems verification and validation planning and execution.
Familiarity with engineer-to-order workflows and tools, including ETO processes and Windchill for product data management.
Experience working with bills of materials (BOMs), design reviews, and configuration management.
Exposure to quoting and costing processes for special or custom orders.
Experience collaborating with supply chain, scheduling, material planning, quality, and manufacturing teams.
Ability to work with customers and vendors on technical requirements for engineering-to-order projects.
Strong organizational skills to manage design schedules and cross-check design activities.
Ability to stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in thermal systems and HVAC engineering.
Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems, with openness to supporting transitions to new platforms.
Work Environment
This role operates within a global platform dedicated to chiller products, where engineering, materials, design, and manufacturing functions are all located on the same site, enabling close collaboration and rapid decision-making. The position supports a global customer base, with many special and engineer-to-order chiller systems shipped to regions such as the Middle East, the United States, and Canada. The engineer works in a highly visible, high-profile environment and may be asked to take on special assignments that interface with multiple functional groups and high-impact projects, including data center and data farm cooling solutions. The work involves regular interaction with cross-functional teams in engineering, design, supply chain, scheduling, material planning, quality, manufacturing, product management, and marketing, as well as direct engagement with customers and vendors on engineering-to-order projects. The organization is transitioning to SAP, and the role may participate in or be affected by this systems migration. The environment emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement, with access to engineering product test laboratories and advanced tools for modeling, analysis, and validation.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Charlotte, NC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $55.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 15, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.
