Lead Laboratory Engineer

Nortek; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Life

STD/LTD

401(k) Plan

Job summary

Nortek Data Center Cooling in Oklahoma City is seeking a Lead Laboratory Engineer to oversee thermal testing and lab operations for data center cooling solutions. You will manage lab equipment, testing activities, and facility resources to support product development and validation programs.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Facilities, EHS, and Leadership to build a world-class testing environment, establishing workflows, safety systems, and scalable capabilities for future growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is required or equivalent.
• Experience with HVACR testing environments is essential.
• Strong ability to lead startup/relocation/expansion of a lab facility.

Responsibilities

• Lead the startup and commissioning of a new engineering and product development laboratory facility.
• Coordinate facility expansion projects and equipment relocations.
• Conduct thermodynamic tests per ANSI/AMCA/ASHRAE/ISO standards and report findings.
• Design and construct test fixtures and instrumentation.
• Develop lab processes for safety, efficiency, and quality.

Skills

HVACR knowledge

Thermal testing

Laboratory startup

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Electrical troubleshooting

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

LabVIEW

VBA

PLC

Instrumentation

Job description

Maximize your potential. Minimize your footprint.Nortek Data Center Cooling is a Madison Industries company. Madison Industries is one of the largest and most successful privately held companies in the world and has a robust portfolio of indoor air quality solutions. Madison builds entrepreneurially driven, branded market leaders that are committed to making the world safer, healthier and more productive by creating innovative solutions that deliver outstanding customer value.At Nortek Data Center Cooling, we’re shaping the future by Creating a Better Tomorrow Every Day! We are a premier HVAC company offering energy efficient and sustainable products and solutions that exceed customer expectations through our employees’ commitment to quality, customer experience and operational excellence.Nortek Data Center Cooling. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.Nortek Air Management and its divisions offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Our benefits package includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HAS and 401(k) Plan with company contributions. To apply, please visit our career site at www.nortekair.com/careers.Other Benefits:Making NexGen Products - Cooling the World’s Ever Expanding Data CentersAirconditioned work environmentBenefits start day one401K matchFirst year, 4 weeks’ vacation (accrued)Nortek Data Center Cooling builds the systems that keep modern data centers running — from liquid cooling to large‑scale air solutions. Our work supports some of the world’s most demanding AI and hyperscale environments, and we solve those challenges with engineering depth and practical execution.We keep things simple here. We communicate early, stay close to the details, and follow through. When issues come up, we address them directly, not with layers of process. Customers count on us because we do what we say and we keep projects moving.Our culture is hands‑on and collaborative. People take ownership, move quickly, and help each other. If you like working with teammates who are straightforward and accountable, you’ll feel at home.With the backing of Madison Air, we have the scale, stability, and manufacturing footprint to support complex, high‑growth programs.SummaryThe Lead Laboratory Engineer, based in Oklahoma City, plays a critical role in thermal testing and lab operations that validate the performance, reliability, and safety of Nortek’s data center cooling solutions. This role will be responsible for managing laboratory equipment, testing activities, and facility resources while ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality support for product development and validation programs. This position ensures that all thermal testing is executed with precision, discipline, and alignment to Nortek DCC’s engineering standards, customer commitments, and quality expectations.As Nortek continues to invest in growth, this position will play a key role in the establishment and expansion of a new state-of-the-art laboratory facility, including equipment selection, laboratory layout, process development, safety systems, and operational readiness. The Lead Laboratory Engineer will collaborate closely with Engineering, Product Development, Facilities, and Leadership teams to build a world-class testing environment that supports innovation and future business growth.Job Responsibilities:New Facility Development & CommissioningLead the startup and commissioning of a new engineering and product development laboratory facilityPartner with Engineering, Facilities, EHS, and Leadership teams to establish laboratory infrastructure, workflows, and testing capabilitiesManage the installation, qualification, and commissioning of test equipment, instrumentation, and laboratory utilitiesCoordinate facility expansion projects, equipment relocations, and future laboratory capability enhancementsLead Test Lab EngineerConduct a wide variety of thermodynamic tests in accordance with ANSI, AMCA, ASHRAE and/or ISO standards. Typical tests include heating and cooling performance, evaporative cooling, fan/pump/HX performance, electrical validation, and failure mode analysisInstall and configure electronic instrumentation and data acquisition equipment.Design and construct test fixtures including duct work, mechanical structures, controls, and measurement devices.Execute testing plans including setup, calibration, measurement, troubleshooting, analysis, teardown, and report of findingsDrive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize laboratory utilization, efficiency, safety, and testing throughputDevelop and manage laboratory budgets, capital equipment requests, and facility improvement projects.Job Qualifications:Experience leading the startup, expansion, relocation, or commissioning of a laboratory, testing facility, manufacturing operation, or engineering centerExperience managing capital projects, facility improvements, and laboratory infrastructure investmentsKnowledge of laboratory design, equipment qualification, commissioning, and operational readiness activitiesExperience supporting HVAC, thermal management, refrigeration, or data center cooling product testing environmentsThis addition positions the role as a strategic leadership opportunity rather than simply a supervisory lab position.Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited universityHVACR knowledge and/or experienceStrong mechanical backgroundSelf-starter, independently motivated and able to work cross-functionallyStrong work ethic with excellent attention to detailAbility to think criticallyExcellent verbal and written communication skillsMust possess or be able to learn desirable skills listed belowPreferred:Advanced technical education such as a Master’s degree or PhD in engineering or a related technical disciplineExperience with VBA, LabVIEW, PLC, or other programming language(s)Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair electrical control circuitsHVACR systems knowledge: operations, psychometrics, troubleshooting, installation, repairHydronic systems knowledgeElectrical and electronic installation and repair (low and medium voltage)Basic carpentry, sheet metal, and plumbing skillsKnowledge of ASHRAE/ISO/ANSI/AHRI testing standards and rating criteriaExperience in metrology and calibrationA strong commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and highly effective laboratory environment is essential for success in this role.We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Our benefits package includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HSA and 401(k) Plan with company contributions. To apply, please visit our career site at https://www.nortekdatacenter.com/careers/Nortek Data Center Cooling. is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.