Manager, Thermal Test Engineering

Baltimore Aircoil Company; Jessup (MD); On-site; USD 98,400 - 168,900; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401k

Employee stock ownership plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Baltimore Aircoil Company seeks a Manager of Thermal Test Engineering to lead the thermal testing group, ensuring accurate data for modeling, certification, and NPD. This role directs test methods, training, and the rollout of global testing standards across sites.

The position emphasizes hands-on lab work, instrumentation, and collaboration with NPD, Thermal Engineering, and Regional teams to align testing with product performance goals.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering with emphasis in thermodynamics, heat/mass transfer and fluid mechanics.
• Strong programming skills in engineering calculations; proficiency with Excel VBA or similar.
• 6+ years’ experience testing HVAC & refrigeration systems/components.
• Experience leading engineering teams or projects with execution responsibility.
• Ability to develop and implement processes, standards, and performance metrics.
• Hands-on approach in a learning, continuous-improvement environment.
• Experience training/mentoring technical personnel.
• Strong organizational and planning skills; ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Familiar with data acquisition systems (LABVIEW) and instrumentation principles.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead thermal testing programs, ensuring precise execution and high-quality data.
• Lead testing to support predictive modeling and product development.
• Drive data analysis and insights for design improvements and model validation.
• Own CTI-related activities including certification testing and documentation.
• Represent BAC in CTI/industry forums and share best practices.
• Develop and coach the thermal testing team and establish training plans.
• Improve testing methodologies, SOPs, and data validation processes.
• Drive continuous improvement of testing capability and facility efficiency.

Skills

Thermodynamics

Excel VBA

CAD software

LabVIEW / Data Acquisition

HVAC & refrigeration testing

Leadership of teams/projects

Process & metrics development

Mentoring technical staff

Instrumentation knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

B.S. Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Graduate degree or P.E. license (a plus)

Tools

LabVIEW

CAD software

Job description

Position Purpose

Baltimore Aircoil Company is seeking a Manager, Thermal Test Engineering as a member of the Thermal Testing Team. This role is responsible for leading BAC’s thermal testing capability to ensure accurate, repeatable, and high-quality test data in support of thermal modeling, regulatory certification, customer performance validation, and New Product Development (NPD/NPI). The position owns the development and implementation of global test methodologies, ensures proper training and execution across the team, and drives continuous improvement of testing processes, equipment, and data systems. The Manager is accountable for enabling both the speed and accuracy of test data generation and ensuring alignment between testing, modeling, and product performance outcomes. This position also leads the team to have subject matter expertise on the equipment and systems in the R&D Lab, including test instrumentation, DAQ, boilers/pumps/HX, and the ammonia system. This role also represents BAC in industry organizations and drives the advancement of testing capabilities through innovation, benchmarking, and adoption of best practices.

Nature & Scope

Reports to the Sr. Manager, Global R&D Lab. The role leads a team of thermal test engineers and technicians, including testing resources at other sites and regions. The Manager is responsible for setting direction, priorities, and standards for thermal testing activities while ensuring effective execution across multiple projects and regions. The position interfaces closely with New Product Development, Thermal Engineering, and Regional Engineering teams, acting as the bridge between testing, modeling, and product development. This role is accountable for test data quality, team performance, and continuous improvement of testing processes and capabilities.

Knowledge & Skills

• BS degree in Mechanical, Chemical (or similar) Engineering with a strong emphasis in thermodynamics, heat/mass transfer and fluid mechanics. Graduate degree, graduate coursework and/or P.E. is a plus.
• Must have scientific and engineering programming skills. Efficient with Microsoft Excel VBA programming and/or other widely used engineering computation software. Ability to work with or learn to work with CAD software.
• 6+ years’ experience in testing of HVAC & refrigeration systems and components.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams or projects with responsibility for execution and results.
• Strong ability to develop and implement processes, standards, and performance metrics.
• Ability to balance technical detail with broader operational and business objectives.
• Experience training, mentoring, and developing technical personnel.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, including ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Must enjoy a hands‑on approach in an open learning, continuous improvement environment.
• High level of competence with experimental work and laboratory testing. Good knowledge of pressure, temperature, and velocity measurements. Familiar with the instrumentation involved and their operating principles in a psychrometric testing environment. Familiarity with data acquisition systems (LABVIEW, etc), flow sizing, and fan characteristics is a plus.
• Ability to successfully interface and train laboratory technicians is a must.
• Ability to process data, identify trends, and draw insights & conclusions from data.

Principal Accountabilities

• Own and lead thermal testing programs, ensuring accurate execution, high‑quality data, and timely delivery aligned with NPD, modeling, certification, and customer needs; serve as the primary interface between the R&D Lab and engineering teams.
• Lead thermal testing to support predictive modeling and product development, including prototype and concept testing, data reduction, and evaluation of product performance to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive data analysis and insight generation, ensuring test data is processed, trended, and translated into actionable recommendations for product design improvements and model validation.
• Own CTI‑related activities, including certification and re‑certification testing, ensuring compliance with standards and documentation requirements, and maintaining alignment between testing practices and certification methodologies.
• Represent BAC in CTI and industry forums, including committees, conferences, and technical events; contribute to best practices and share learnings internally.
• Lead and develop the thermal testing team, including test engineers and technicians; set priorities, assign work, and drive accountability while establishing training programs, cross‑training strategies, and career development to build sustainable capability.
• Own and improve thermal testing methodologies and processes, including SOPs, test planning, execution, and data validation, ensuring consistency, repeatability, and alignment with modeling and certification needs.
• Drive continuous improvement of testing capability, including processes, instrumentation, data systems, and global lab facilities; benchmark against industry leaders and implement advancements to increase speed, accuracy, and capacity.
• Provide ownership and technical leadership of key lab systems and equipment, including developing deep expertise in systems such as the Lab’s boiler plant and the ammonia condenser test facility (CTF), ensuring safe and reliable operation. Provide that ammonia technical expertise to assist troubleshooting field application and testing issues.
• Support customer and field testing activities, including Factory Witness Testing (FWT), field installation, and troubleshooting; ensuring clear communication, effective execution, and high‑quality reporting.
• Define, track, and act on performance metrics, including throughput, data quality, cycle time, and utilization; identify gaps and implement corrective actions to improve team and process effectiveness.

Working Conditions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk up to 10% of the time. The position requires occasional lifting up to 30 pounds. Travel, both domestic and international, is expected up to 15% of the time.

Compensation and Benefits

BAC Hiring Compensation Range $98,400 - $168,900. BAC offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k, employee stock ownership plan, and more. BAC Employees are eligible to participate in an annual bonus incentive program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.