Lead IREF Design Engineer

Johnson Controls; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

YDU JC Air Cond & Ref Inc.- Dubai is seeking a Lead IREF Design Engineer based in Manchester to lead technical design activities for our Industrial Refrigeration projects. This hybrid position involves collaboration with sales and engineering teams to develop technical solutions, and occasional travel for surveys may be required.

The ideal candidate has strong design experience in industrial refrigeration, with a solid understanding of system design and components. You will also be responsible for mentoring the design support team and ensuring compliance with quality standards.

Qualifications

• Proven background in IREF design in the UK.
• Experience producing technical proposals and design submissions.
• Beneficial experience leading or mentoring teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design support for industrial refrigeration projects.
• Develop system concepts, layouts and calculations aligned to customer requirements.
• Collaborate with Sales, Project Engineers and clients to define scope and optimise solutions.

Skills

Strong design experience in industrial refrigeration

Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills

Proactive, solutions-focused approach

Knowledge of York products

Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit or similar design tools

Education

Degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

What You Will Do: As Lead IREF Design Engineer, you will play a pivotal role within our Industrial Refrigeration (IREF) business, leading technical design support activities across complex projects. You will partner closely with Sales, Engineering and Delivery teams to develop robust technical solutions for both pre- and post-sales designs, help to produce competitive design proposals and support our sales and projects teams from initial enquiry through to handover. This is a hybrid role with a mix of home working and office presence (Manchester or Leeds), with occasional travel for surveys as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical design support for industrial refrigeration projects, ensuring high-quality, compliant proposals.
• Develop system concepts, layouts and calculations aligned to customer requirements and industry standards.
• Help to prepare costings, equipment selections, estimates and technical submissions to support sales strategy.
• Collaborate with Sales, Project Engineers and clients to define scope and optimise solutions.
• Review / prepare specifications, drawings and tender documents to identify risks and opportunities.
• Support value engineering and solution optimisation to improve competitiveness.
• Act as a technical mentor within the design support team, driving best practice and consistency.
• Engage with suppliers and subcontractors for pricing and technical input.
• Ensure adherence to company procedures, quality standards and HSE requirements.

Qualifications

• Strong design experience in industrial refrigeration and HVAC engineering sector.
• Proven background in IREF design in the UK.
• Solid understanding of system design, components and industry standards.
• Experience producing technical proposals and design submissions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Proactive, solutions-focused approach with strong attention to detail.
• Beneficial experience leading or mentoring teams.
• Knowledge of York products.
• Design knowledge of ammonia and CO₂ refrigeration systems.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit or similar design tools.
• Degree or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.

#LI-JB3 #LI-Hybrid