Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Smardt Chiller Group; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Dental Benefits

401K matching program

Opportunities for growth

Job summary

Smardt Chiller Group is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer in Phoenix, Arizona. This role involves leading mechanical design, engineering execution, and technical alignment for HVAC products targeting the North American market. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of mechanical design experience and proficiency in 3D CAD tools, notably Autodesk Inventor. Competitive compensation and benefits, including health insurance and 401K matching, are offered within a collaborative global environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of mechanical design engineering experience, preferably with global teams.
• 5+ years in HVAC systems, ideally with AHUs or refrigeration.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and manufacturing of HVAC products for North America.
• Ensure compliance with AHRI, ASHRAE, and regional energy efficiency standards.
• Support technology transfer and product adaptation.

Skills

3D CAD proficiency

HVAC systems design

Cross-cultural communication

Problem-solving mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

P.Eng (or eligibility)

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

SolidWorks

PLM/PDM systems (e.g., Autodesk Vault)

ERP systems (e.g., Business Central)

Job description

Overview

As a global pioneer in oil‑free centrifugal chiller technology with an expanding portfolio of thermal management solutions, Smardt is dedicated to delivering high‑efficiency and energy‑saving systems for industries, real‑estate developments, healthcare, and educational centers worldwide. We operate manufacturing facilities in the US, Canada, Germany, China, and Australia, with a team of over 900 employees. With a focus on reliability, performance, and environmental stewardship, Smardt continues to redefine industry standards through advanced engineering and a commitment to a more sustainable future.

Position Summary

The Lead Mechanical Design Engineer will lead the mechanical design, engineering execution, and technical alignment of custom and standard equipment, working closely with North American stakeholders and Smardt’s parent company, TICA. This role combines hands‑on product design, cross‑functional engineering leadership, and global collaboration, with a clear path to building and leading a regional design engineering team. The successful candidate will act as the technical bridge between North America and TICA engineering/manufacturing teams, ensuring designs are optimized for performance, manufacturability, cost, and compliance with regional standards.

What You’ll Do

Product Design and Engineering Leadership

• Lead the mechanical design and manufacturing of HVAC products for the North American market.
• Translate customer requirements, project specifications, and sales concepts into robust, manufacturable engineering designs.
• Own airflow, thermal performance, and mechanical system design, ensuring alignment with project and product performance targets.
• Develop and maintain design standards, best practices, and modular product architectures to enable scalability and repeatability.

Global Collaboration & Technical Alignment

• Act as the primary technical interface with TICA engineering teams in China, ensuring alignment on design intent, capabilities, and manufacturing constraints.
• Coordinate across time zones and cultures to drive efficient design reviews, issue resolution, and product localization.
• Support technology transfer and product adaptation between global platforms and North American requirements.
• Navigate and reconcile differences in engineering approaches, standards, and expectations between regions.

Engineering Execution & Project Delivery

• Lead technical review of project specifications, consultant drawings, and customer requirements.
• Identify risks, gaps, and compliance issues early in the project lifecycle.
• Ensure timely and accurate release of engineering documentation, BOMs, and production packages.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure designs are buildable, cost‑effective, and aligned with production capabilities.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure designs comply with AHRI, ASHRAE, UL/ETL, ASTM, seismic, wind load, and regional energy efficiency standards.
• Define and support certification strategies and regulatory compliance for North American markets.
• Stay current on evolving HVAC regulations and integrate them into product design proactively.

Continuous Improvement & Product Strategy

• Drive design optimization, cost reduction, and standardization initiatives.
• Contribute to the long‑term product roadmap for SmardtAir AHUs in North America.
• Implement structured problem‑solving methodologies (e.g., 8D) to resolve design and production issues.

Experience

• 10+ years of mechanical design engineering experience; experience working with global engineering/manufacturing teams strongly preferred.
• Prior leadership or mentoring experience is an asset (formal or informal).
• 5+ years in HVAC systems, preferably AHUs or refrigeration.

Education/Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• P.Eng (or eligibility) preferred.

Technical Skills

• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD tools (Autodesk Inventor preferred; SolidWorks experience an asset).
• Deep understanding of airflow and thermal analysis.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and modular product design.
• BOM development and product configuration.
• HVAC system design and component selection.
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems (e.g., Autodesk Vault) and ERP systems (e.g., Business Central).

Core Competencies

• Strong cross‑cultural communication and collaboration skills.
• High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences.
• Problem‑solving mindset with a focus on practical, scalable solutions.
• Ability to operate effectively in a startup or build‑phase environment.
• Ability to travel cross‑border (less than 25% time).

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation.
• Health and Dental Benefits from day one.
• 401K matching program.
• A collaborative global environment with opportunities for growth.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Smardt is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.