Design Engineer

Daikin Applied Americas Inc; Staunton (VA); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 101,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401K retirement plan

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Daikin Applied Americas Inc. seeks a Design Engineer in Staunton, VA (Hybrid, 4 days in office) to develop electro-mechanical designs for commercial HVAC equipment and to drive product releases with cross-functional teams.

The role emphasizes DFMEA, test planning, and ensuring performance and certification compliance. The position requires a mechanical engineering degree (Bachelor’s) with hands-on testing experience; Master’s is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• Understanding of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures and materials.
• Hands-on experience testing electro-mechanical equipment.
• Ability to communicate technical information to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop electro-mechanical designs of appropriate complexity, supporting program quality, cost, and schedule.
• Develop test plans based on product requirements and DFMEA analysis.
• Support performance, reliability, and certification needs through testing of systems, subsystems, and components.
• Provide technical guidance across functions including Product Management, Marketing, Applications, Manufacturing and Service.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to meet business needs from design to release.

Skills

Electro-mechanical design

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

P&ID

DOE

DFMEA

DVP&R

MATLAB

ANSYS

VapCyc

PLM tools

CAD

Job description

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025! Daikin Applied is seeking a Design Engineer. The Design Engineer will assist in the development of primary systems and sub-systems of commercial HVAC equipment. The candidate will collaborate with cross-functional team members, driving toward releasing innovative HVAC products. Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor!

Location: Staunton, VA – Hybrid (4 days/week in office)

What you will do:

• Develop electro-mechanical designs of appropriate complexity, supporting program quality, cost, and schedule
• Develop test plans based on product requirements and DFMEA analysis.
• Support performance, reliability, and industry certification needs through the testing of systems, sub-systems, and components.
• Analyze information and provide technical guidance within the specified function for others in the organization, including Product Management, Marketing, Applications, Manufacturing, Service, Training Center, and Purchasing
• Work cross-functionally with groups such as Design, Test Lab, Integrated Supply Chain, Product Management, Marketing, Manufacturing, Service, Training Center, etc. supporting product design to meet business needs
• Support the execution of projects within the new product development phase-gate process, demonstrating appropriate design maturity and growth across various milestones
• Keep current on product and component technology improvements and industry trends to effectively perform functions of the position
• Investigate engineering/manufacturing issues related to the assembly of new product designs and take corrective action to prevent the recurrence of problems

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• Understanding of mechanical concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures, and materials
• Hands-on experience testing electro-mechanical equipment
• Ability to problem-solve within engineering and technical concepts
• Ability to effectively communicate technical information tailored to the appropriate level for the audience.
• Basic understanding of product development within a phase gate process.
• Knowledge of engineering tools and analysis methods such as P&ID, DOE, DFMEA, DVP&R.
• Able to break down work into manageable sized pieces and use them to estimate and plan the necessary tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent
• Knowledge of vapor compression cycle.
• Capabilities with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools.
• Capabilities in modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, VapCyc, etc.
• Knowledge of systems engineering and architecture.
• Basic skills with CAD applications
• Basic knowledge of Excel macros, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), and other programming languages applied to data analysis and process automation

Daikin Applied offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance
• 401K retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and company-paid holidays
• Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state and local law
• Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service
• Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position

The typical annual base salary for this position ranges from $62,000-$100,500 in Virginia. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade in which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

#LI-NA1 Employment is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements, including verification of employment history, education, background screening, and drug testing where permitted by law. Safety-sensitive positions may require cannabis (marijuana) testing. All testing and employment decisions will comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

If you're looking for an engaging career with growth opportunities in a supportive environment, you'll love a career at Daikin Applied!

Building a more sustainable planet. Creating comfortable, healthy spaces for people to connect, live and work. Perfecting the air we share.

Daikin Applied is not just an HVAC company. We're part of a global technology powerhouse that uses Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) to transform the world.

We're innovators and leaders.

Not only as a business, but as individuals.

And we are honored to say we were named to Forbes' America's Best-In-State Employers list for 2025, ranking #1 in Minnesota for Manufacturing and Engineering.

You see, we're not just innovating on the outside. We're innovating on the inside to unlock people's unlimited potential and bring out the diverse and groundbreaking ideas that will help us solve today's most pressing challenges.

That's why Daikin offers more than a job. Here's where you'll be heard, be valued, belong -- and be able to make your mark.

Over the past several years, we’ve proudly welcomed several organizations into our family, each bringing unique strengths, deep expertise, and talented teams.

As we continue to grow, these partners play a vital role in expanding our capabilities and shaping the future of our organization.

Whichever Daikin Applied company you join, you’ll be part of a unified, supportive environment where you can make an impact and grow your career.