Applications Engineer

Trane Technologies; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 105,000 - 169,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401K match

Tuition assistance

Student debt support

Paid time off

Job summary

Trane Technologies in Grand Rapids, MI is seeking an Applications Engineer to shape HVAC controls offerings and serve as a Subject Matter Expert for controls across the segment. You will contribute to the design, development, testing, and support of future HVAC system applications and controls.

Leverage field experience to advise segment leaders, product engineers, and managers, applying controls expertise to achieve project goals while evaluating field challenges to develop practical solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related technical field.
• 8+ years in building automation systems (BAS), HVAC controls execution, or system application engineering.
• Hands-on experience with HVAC controls projects from initial handoff through system turnover is strongly desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for the development of HVAC system applications, interfaces, and integration with 3rd party systems.
• Monitor emerging industry trends to determine potential impacts to product feature roadmaps.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to evaluate concept feasibility and resolve technical issues.
• Provide commercialization support, specializing in field office sales and operations.
• Author and/or review Engineering Bulletins, Application guides, Best Practices, Project Specifications, etc.
• Present and instruct technical topics to internal and external audiences.
• Participate in customer visits and field events (seminars, shows, etc.).
• Direct support of critical customer projects, including job site work.
• Conduct voice of customer activities to identify business, customer, and user needs based on stakeholder interviews, focus groups, “day-in–the-life” studies, and advisory panels.
• Define the scope and functional requirements for new and next-generation HVAC system applications.
• Design, develop, and deploy system-level custom applications, control logic, sequences of operation, and application software across supervisory and edge system platforms.
• Establish and execute comprehensive application testing strategies leveraging system modeling, simulation tools, and automated testing frameworks, integrated with physical laboratory and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
• Support field trials, pilot deployments, and site rollouts for new system applications to validate real-world performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure successful deployment.

Skills

Python

JavaScript

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Education

BS in Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

HVAC controls software

APIs

Job description

Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.

Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.

We boldly go.

Where Is The Work

Monday to Thursday, work onsite with your colleagues. Fridays, choose your work location, balancing what your work requires.

Job Summary

Applications Engineer will act as a subject matter expert to shape controls offerings in the Segment vertical market. The selected candidate will have two primary objectives: serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the fulfillment and application of HVAC controls; and an active role in the design, development, testing, and support of future HVAC system applications and controls offerings.

Common activities include leveraging extensive field experience to act as a key consultant to segment leaders, product engineers, and product managers. In this role, the engineer applies controls and domain expertise to achieve overall system and project goals, while also evaluating field challenges to develop practical, innovative application solutions. Additionally, they participate in the hands‑on development, testing, and field validation of new system applications, assist in defining product requirements, and generate authoritative content for application guides and best practices.

What You Will Do

• Provide technical expertise for the development of HVAC system applications, interfaces, and integration with 3rd party systems.
• Monitor emerging industry trends to determine potential impacts to product feature roadmaps.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to evaluate concept feasibility and resolve technical issues.
• Provide commercialization support, specializing in field office sales and operations.
• Author and/or review Engineering Bulletins, Application guides, Best Practices, Project Specifications, etc.
• Present and instruct technical topics to internal and external audiences.
• Participate in customer visits and field events (seminars, shows, etc.).
• Direct support of critical customer projects, including job site work.
• Conduct voice of customer activities to identify business, customer, and user needs based on stakeholder interviews, focus groups, “day-in–the-life” studies, and advisory panels. Represent the needs of end customers, controls and service business in these activities.
• Define the scope and functional requirements for new and next-generation HVAC system applications.
• Design, develop, and deploy system-level custom applications, control logic, sequences of operation, and application software across supervisory and edge system platforms.
• Establish and execute comprehensive application testing strategies leveraging system modeling, simulation tools, and automated testing frameworks, integrated with physical laboratory and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) testing.
• Support field trials, pilot deployments, and site rollouts for new system applications to validate real-world performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure successful deployment.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree Required: BS in Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field (extensive directly relevant field experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree).
• 8+ years in building automation systems (BAS), HVAC controls execution, or system application engineering.
• Demonstrated, hands‑on experience with the fulfillment of HVAC controls projects from initial handoff through system turnover is strongly desired.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with software development principles, scripting languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript), or software logic structuring for automation tools and workflows.
• Experience with multi-protocol gateway integrations, API-based smart building connections, and cloud-to-edge BAS network architectures.

Key Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and present technical information (oral and written) to technical and non-technical users.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
• Sound project management, analysis, problem resolution, teambuilding, judgment, and decision‑making skills
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time (some periods of more frequent travel can be expected)
• Ability to work regularly, dependably, independently, and in a team environment

Annual Base Salary Range Or Hourly Base Pay Range

$105,228.33 - $168,700.00

Compensation Type

Salary

Incentive Eligible

Yes

Sales Commission Eligible

No

Disclaimer

We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.

Thrive At Work And At Home

• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
• Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• Paid time off includes up to 15 vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
• 401K match up, educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary by site as well as Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations

Safety Sensitive Role

No

The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.