Director, R&D

SPX Cooling Technologies; Olathe (KS); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Health insurance

401(k) match

Educational assistance

Job summary

SPX Cooling Technologies seeks a Director of R&D to lead engineering activities for coil heat exchanger products used in HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial applications. You will provide technical and organizational leadership for product development, resource planning, and manufacturing support while ensuring safety, accuracy, and cost competitiveness.

The role requires 12-15 years of progressive engineering leadership, strong heat transfer expertise, and the ability to manage global programs

Qualifications

• 12-15 years of progressive engineering experience in a related technical field.
• Experience leading engineering teams and developing technical professionals.
• Strong heat transfer and coil product design experience.
• Refrigeration systems experience.
• Knowledge of heat exchanger design codes and standards (ASME, UL, ASHRAE, AHRI).
• Ability to lead complex product development and engineering programs.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; interacts with engineers, customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to influence, gain commitment, and deliver results through cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead Engineering Leadership & Resource Management to align with product strategies and budgets.
• Guide product development and technical leadership for coil products from concept to market.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, and internal teams to resolve technical issues.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration to support commercialization and continuous improvement.
• Develop certification schedules and manage related budgets and resources.

Job description

Building the people that build the world.

With platforms in HVAC and Detection and Measurement, SPX Technologies builds innovative solutions that enable a safer, more efficient, sustainable world. Through our RiSE talent development framework, we Reach, Identify, Strengthen, and Engage our employees to support them in their continued development. We're a global company of problem solvers, collaborators, and innovators, and our businesses build solutions that impact the world.

As part of HVAC Cooling, SPX Cooling Technologies is a leader in high quality industrial HVAC equipment used to cool large facilities like hospitals, data centers, and power plants. With cooling towers, fans, and refrigeration units, companies rely on brands like Marley, Recold, and SGS to provide comfort and mission critical and industrial cooling solutions.

How you will make an Impact (Job Summary)

SPX is a diverse team of unique individuals who all make an impact. As Director, R&D, you will lead engineering activities related to the design, development, application, and continuous improvement of coil heat exchanger products used in HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial applications. This role provides technical and organizational leadership for product development, engineering design, resource planning, and manufacturing support while ensuring engineering work is completed safely, accurately, competitively, and in alignment with business priorities.

You will serve as a global technical expert for coil products and refrigeration systems, leading engineers and designers in the development of new products and technical solutions while ensuring compliance with applicable specifications, codes, manufacturing requirements, cost objectives, and customer expectations. The role works closely with Manufacturing, Sourcing, Product Management, Sales, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders to bring new products to market, resolve complex technical issues, and continually improve engineering productivity and effectiveness.

This role encourages innovation and continuously improves efficiency of technical support, monitors advances of technology and competition, and supports global and acquisition-related technical issues in areas of expertise.

What you can expect in this role (Job Responsibilities)

While each day brings new opportunities at SPX, your core responsibilities will be:

1. Engineering Leadership & Resource Management

• Develop and maintain a multi-year certification roadmap aligned with product strategies, market expansion goals, and customer requirements.
• Lead and develop engineers and designers supporting coil products, including performance management, mentoring, career planning, coaching, and technical development.
• Manage engineering forecasting, manpower planning, scheduling, and supplemental engineering resources to meet project schedules, business priorities, and budgets.
• Establish priorities and provide technical direction to ensure engineering work is accurate, timely, compliant with specifications and codes, and commercially competitive.
• Develop and communicate engineering performance metrics, operating plans, budgets, resource requirements, and progress against key business objectives.

1. Product Development & Technical Leadership

• Partner with Manufacturing and Sourcing to ensure product designs can be manufactured cost-effectively and supplier activities support project requirements and schedules.
• Lead or support engineering projects by establishing project scope, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and plans for achieving technical and business objectives.
• Interface with internal and external customers regarding technical performance issues, engineering requirements, and product solutions.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Product Management, Sales, and other functions to resolve issues and support successful commercialization of new and existing products.

1. Cross-Functional Project & Business Support

• Develop and maintain certification schedules, priorities, and tracking tools across applicable product lines.
• Coordinate certification activities with external agencies, testing organizations, and other third-party resources as required.
• Support development and management of certification budgets, including anticipated testing, renewal, and external resource costs.
• Identify upcoming certification needs associated with new products, product changes, customer requirements, or market expansion.
• Report and lead internal reviews of certification compliance status.

1. Operational Excellence, Innovation, & Industry Leadership

• Develop and implement continuous improvement processes focused on quality, schedule compliance, productivity, cost effectiveness, and engineering efficiency.
• Monitor advancements in technology, competitive products, industry practices, and emerging engineering requirements to identify opportunities for product and process improvement.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, technical documentation, and methods that support consistent and effective engineering execution.
• Represent SPX in industry technical forums, committees, and external technical discussions and provide technical information to senior leadership as required.

What we are looking for (Required/Ideal Experience, Skills, Education)

We each bring something to the table, and we are looking for someone who has:

Required Experience & Skills

• 12-15 years of progressive engineering experience in a related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and developing technical professionals.
• Strong heat transfer and coil product design experience.
• Refrigeration systems experience.
• Knowledge of heat exchanger design codes and standards, including ASME, UL, ASHRAE, and AHRI.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex product development and engineering programs.
• Strong engineering judgment, analytical skills, and technical problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with engineers, customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to influence, gain commitment, and deliver results through both direct leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Advanced knowledge of coil heat exchanger design, refrigeration systems, and related HVAC applications.
• Experience leading global engineering initiatives or supporting products across multiple regions.
• Experience participating in or chairing technical industry committees and professional associations.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and 3D modeling software.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project, SAP, Access, or similar engineering and business systems.
• Demonstrated track record of innovation, continuous improvement, value engineering, and cost reduction.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Master's degree in Engineering or PhD preferred.
• EIT/FE and Professional Engineer licensure preferred.
• Must meet applicable requirements for engineering licensure examinations as defined by company expectations.

Travel & Working Environment

• Onsite office environment, Monday - Friday; Hybrid work schedule available after satisfactory completion of probationary period.
• The position may require working occasionally outside normal work hours.
• Lifting up to 20 pounds.
• Bending and stooping.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally.

How we live our culture

Our culture is at the center of what we do and, more importantly, who we are. Our core values set a standard for how we manage ourselves, and our Leadership Model sets the standard for how we engage with each other. Whether you are an individual contributor or you lead a large team, each of us leads at SPX.

What benefits do we offer?

We know that the well-being of our employees is integral. Our benefits include:

• Generous and flexible paid time off including paid personal time off, caregiver, parental, and volunteer leave
• Competitive health insurance plans and 401(k) match, with benefits starting day one
• Competitive and performance-based compensation packages and bonus plans
• Educational assistance, leadership development programs, and recognition programs

Our commitment to embrace diversity to build a culture of inclusion at SPX

We value different backgrounds, experiences, and voices at SPX, and we are committed to challenging ourselves, openly communicating, and striving to improve every day. We believe in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone has a voice and is encouraged to realize their fullest potential.

SPX is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer committed to making selection decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis.