Director of Engineering, Airside Products

Johnson Barrow INC; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

HSA & FSA options

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Johnson Barrow INC seeks a Director of Engineering, Air Products to lead growth and technical direction of our airside HVAC portfolio. You will drive product strategy, partner with sales, and build strong relationships with manufacturers, consultants, and building owners to win in the market.

Responsibilities include leading product development, technical leadership on air distribution and VAV systems, and mentoring teams to deliver design-build and plan/spec projects.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in commercial HVAC, airside products, mechanical construction, engineering, sales, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with multiple airside HVAC product categories, including air distribution, ventilation, fans, VAVs, dampers, louvers, or life safety products.
• Proven ability to develop customer, contractor, engineering, and manufacturer relationships.
• Strong understanding of commercial HVAC applications and mechanical systems.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical plans, specifications, schedules, and project documentation.
• Demonstrated sales, business development, or product management experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to effectively influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and relevant HVAC product selection/takeoff software.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic growth and development of the company’s air products portfolio and market presence.
• Develop and execute product strategies aligned with company revenue, margin, and growth objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key manufacturers, consulting engineers, contractors, and strategic customers.
• Partner with sales leadership and Outside Sales Engineers to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and grow market share.
• Provide technical leadership on airside HVAC applications, product selection, system solutions, and competitive positioning.
• Support complex projects from early design through equipment selection, submittal, installation, and project completion.
• Identify emerging market trends, customer needs, competitive offerings, and opportunities for new products or manufacturers.
• Develop and maintain product expertise across air distribution, ventilation, air movement, VAV, dampers, louvers, and life safety products.
• Lead technical training, product education, and lunch-and-learns for internal teams, consulting engineers, contractors, and customers.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex product and application issues.
• Work with manufacturers to resolve product performance, application, warranty, and technical issues.
• Review and influence product specifications, design standards, and project requirements to position represented products for success.
• Support value engineering efforts and develop alternative solutions that provide customers with performance and economic value.
• Establish product goals, monitor performance, and develop action plans to improve sales and profitability.
• Mentor and develop sales and technical team members to strengthen overall airside product expertise.
• Collaborate with leadership on strategic initiatives, manufacturer partnerships, acquisitions, and expansion of the air products business.

Skills

HVAC systems

Leadership

Sales & business development

Relationship building

Project management

Communication

Read technical drawings

CRM software

Microsoft Office

Product strategy

Education

Engineering degree

Mechanical/HVAC background

Tools

Takeoff software

Job description

About Us

Johnson Barrow is a leading HVAC manufacturers’ representative in the Pacific Northwest, dedicated to helping people succeed by delivering unbiased consultative services and premium quality mechanical equipment. For over 60 years, we have partnered with engineers, contractors, and building owners to design and implement high-performance building systems that balance energy efficiency, operational reliability, and occupant comfort. Our culture is entrepreneurial at its core — we empower our people to think like business owners, act with urgency, and build lasting relationships. Guided by our values, we stand by every project from concept through completion, advocating for our customers every step of the way.

Job Description

About the Role We are seeking a Director of Engineering, Air Products to lead the growth, development, and technical direction of our airside HVAC product portfolio. This role will have broad responsibility across air distribution, ventilation, air movement, and related airside products, including grilles, registers, diffusers, VAVs, fans, louvers, dampers, life safety products, and other HVAC components. The Director of Air Products will serve as a key leader within the organization, partnering closely with sales, engineering, manufacturers, contractors, consulting engineers, and building owners to drive product growth and ensure our teams have the technical expertise and resources needed to successfully compete in the market. This position combines product leadership, sales support, market development, manufacturer relationships, and technical expertise. The ideal candidate is a commercially minded HVAC professional who can identify opportunities, develop product strategies, build strong industry relationships, and lead others toward achieving business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic growth and development of the company’s air products portfolio and market presence
• Develop and execute product strategies aligned with company revenue, margin, and growth objectives
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key manufacturers, consulting engineers, contractors, and strategic customers
• Partner with sales leadership and Outside Sales Engineers to identify opportunities, develop solutions, and grow market share
• Provide technical leadership on airside HVAC applications, product selection, system solutions, and competitive positioning
• Support complex projects from early design through equipment selection, submittal, installation, and project completion
• Identify emerging market trends, customer needs, competitive offerings, and opportunities for new products or manufacturers
• Develop and maintain product expertise across air distribution, ventilation, air movement, VAV, dampers, louvers, and life safety products
• Lead technical training, product education, and lunch-and-learns for internal teams, consulting engineers, contractors, and customers
• Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex product and application issues
• Work with manufacturers to resolve product performance, application, warranty, and technical issues
• Review and influence product specifications, design standards, and project requirements to position represented products for success
• Support value engineering efforts and develop alternative solutions that provide customers with performance and economic value
• Establish product goals, monitor performance, and develop action plans to improve sales and profitability
• Mentor and develop sales and technical team members to strengthen overall airside product expertise
• Collaborate with leadership on strategic initiatives, manufacturer partnerships, acquisitions, and expansion of the air products business

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in commercial HVAC, airside products, mechanical construction, engineering, sales, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience with multiple airside HVAC product categories, including air distribution, ventilation, fans, VAVs, dampers, louvers, or life safety products
• Proven ability to develop customer, contractor, engineering, and manufacturer relationships
• Strong understanding of commercial HVAC applications and mechanical systems
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical plans, specifications, schedules, and project documentation
• Demonstrated sales, business development, or product management experience
• Strong leadership, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to effectively influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, CRM platforms, and relevant HVAC product selection/takeoff software

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with a manufacturer’s representative or HVAC manufacturer
• Previous leadership or management experience
• Engineering degree or technical background
• Experience working with consulting engineering firms, mechanical contractors, and building owners
• Experience with design-build and plan/specification projects
• Established relationships within the commercial HVAC industry
• Experience developing product strategies, sales plans, or market expansion initiatives
• Familiarity with current HVAC codes, standards, energy-efficiency requirements, and industry trends

Total Rewards

At Johnson Barrow, we believe in recognizing and rewarding the contributions of our employees. Our total rewards package is designed to support your financial success, personal well-being, and professional growth, and includes:

• Competitive compensation with bonus opportunities tied to individual and company performance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending account (FSA) options
• Life and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, and holidays)
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program
• Volunteer time and wellness initiatives

EEO Statement

At Johnson Barrow, we believe our strength comes from the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives of our people.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and supported to succeed.

We welcome applicants of all races, colors, ancestries, national origins, religions, creeds, ages, sexes, genders, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, marital or family statuses, pregnancies, physical or mental disabilities, genetic information, veteran or military statuses, and any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local laws.

Guided by our core values: Helping People Succeed, Building Partnerships for Life, Relentless Customer Service, and a Sense of Urgency, we strive to ensure every team member can contribute fully and thrive.

Ambient is a national collective of HVAC firms. Our experts deliver safety, comfort, and highly efficient, sustainable solutions for spaces that matter most: healthcare, commercial, institutional, and mission-critical.