Engineering Manager - Environmental Control Systems

Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems LLC; Willoughby (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Aerospace Thermal Systems LLC in Ohio seeks an Engineering Manager with deep expertise in mobile vapor cycle cooling to lead design, development, and deployment of advanced environmental control systems.

You will mentor a multidisciplinary team, oversee product development from concept to production, ensure performance, cost, schedule, and regulatory compliance, and collaborate across mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing groups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years in thermal systems design, including 2–3 years in leadership or PM roles.
• Strong expertise in aviation or marine vapor cycle cooling technologies.
• Proven success leading engineering teams through product development and commercialization.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on mobile vapor cycle cooling and thermal management solutions.
• Oversee design, development, testing, validation, and optimization of vapor cycle ECS.
• Drive product development from concept through production and system integration, ensuring performance, cost, schedule, and reliability objectives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate cooling solutions into larger system architectures.
• Establish engineering standards, processes, and guidelines for thermal systems.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, staffing, and resources across programs.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to improve cooling performance, efficiency, and manufacturability.
• Support customer engagements with technical proposals and presentations.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Thermal systems design

Aviation/marine cooling

CAD (Creo/SolidWorks)

Thermal simulation

Project management

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

ANSYS

COMSOL

Job description

Description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Engineering Manager with expertise in aviation or marine vapor cycle cooling technologies to lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced mobile environmental control systems. This role is critical to driving innovation, efficiency, and reliability in high-performance aviation, aerospace, and military applications.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary engineering team focused on mobile vapor cycle cooling and thermal management solutions.
• Oversee the design, development, testing, validation, and optimization of vapor cycle environmental control systems (ECS).
• Drive product development from concept through production and system integration, ensuring performance, cost, schedule, and reliability objectives are achieved.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and program management teams to integrate cooling solutions into larger system architectures.
• Establish engineering standards, best practices, design processes, and technical guidelines for thermal systems.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, staffing, and resource allocation across multiple engineering programs.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, materials, and design methodologies to improve cooling performance, efficiency, manufacturability, and scalability.
• Support customer engagements by developing technical proposals, delivering presentations, and customizing engineering solutions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, FAA regulations, military specifications, and environmental requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Seven or more years of experience in thermal systems design, including at least two to three years in an engineering leadership or project management role.
• Strong expertise in aviation or marine vapor cycle cooling technologies.
• Demonstrated success leading engineering teams through product development and commercialization.
• Working knowledge of CAD software such as Creo, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Experience with thermal simulation and analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL Multiphysics, or similar software) is preferred.
• Solid understanding of heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, refrigeration systems, and controls integration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of variable-speed compressors, electronic expansion valves, and system control strategies.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management credentials.
• Experience supporting product commercialization in regulated aerospace, defense, or industrial markets.

Leadership Competencies

• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively engage technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.