Product Development Engineer - Refrigeration

Paycom; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Perlick is seeking a Product Development Engineer to lead design, development, validation and continuous improvement of residential and light-commercial refrigeration equipment.

You will own system architecture, component selection, performance tuning, and production launch from concept to market. The role emphasizes vapor compression thermodynamics, controls integration, and regulatory compliance with UL/NSF/DOE standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Refrigeration or HVAC engineering or related field.
• Two+ years of product development in fractional horsepower vapor compression refrigeration equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Resilient with strong problem-solving abilities.
• United States work authorization.
• Experience with sheet metal fabrication, castings, machining, plastics, and assembly methods.
• Experience with electro-mechanical components and subsystems.
• Familiarity with CAD, PDM and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of UL/NSF certification processes.

Responsibilities

• Document engineering requirements with cross-functional teams.
• Translate requirements into design concepts and select materials and components.
• Choose refrigeration components (compressors, heat exchangers, expansion devices, fans, motors, controls).
• Create and validate thermodynamic/heat transfer models of refrigeration systems.
• Perform cycle analysis and optimization for performance and efficiency.
• Ensure regulatory/certification compliance (UL, NSF, DOE, Energy Star, CSA, ETL).
• Conduct design reviews, DFMEA, tolerance analyses, and risk assessments.
• Create test plans and coordinate laboratory testing.
• Analyze lab data and guide technicians.
• Prepare engineering specifications and 3D models/drawings in SolidWorks.
• Lead teardowns and competitive analysis; communicate concepts to internal teams and suppliers.
• Support rapid prototyping, multi-physics modeling, and functional testing.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

US work authorization

CAD/ECAD

PDM/ERP systems

Sheet metal fabrication

Mechanical aptitude

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Refrigeration/HVAC related engineering

Tools

CAD software

PDM systems

ERP systems

Job description

Job Details:

Job Location: Legal Address MILW - Milwaukee, WI 53223, Vision Statement: Helping the world serve better™.

Mission Statement: (We Aim) to build the best bar in the world and be irreplaceable by delivering thetotal Perlick experience.

Perlick Values: Lead by Serving – others before self, Grow by Innovation – solutions that exceed our customers’ expectations, Continuous Improvement – strive to get better every day, Live the Legacy – maintain our positive reputations with the future in mind

SUMMARY:

The Product Development Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, and continuous improvement of refrigeration equipment and associated products for residential and light commercial applications. This role leads all facets of product development of refrigeration equipment including refrigeration system architecture, component selection, performance optimization, design for regulatory compliance, prototype development, and product validation activities from concept through production launch. This position requires strong expertise in vapor compression refrigeration systems, thermodynamics, heat transfer, controls integration, and industry standards governing residential and commercial refrigeration equipment.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Functions as a valued team player who collaborates with their manager and cross functional teams to document engineering requirements.


• Assists or leads the conversion of product and business requirements into design concepts and helps determine the appropriate materials, components, systems, and process methods to meet those requirements.


• Select and specify refrigeration components including compressors, heat exchangers, expansion devices, fans & motors, controls, sensors, wiring, and refrigeration piping.


• Create and validate thermodynamic and heat transfer models of refrigeration systems to analyze system performance, efficiency, capacity, and operating characteristics


• Perform refrigeration cycle analysis and system optimization to achieve performance, energy efficiency, reliability, and cost objectives.


• Ensure products comply with applicable regulatory and certification requirements, including UL, NSF, DOE, Energy Star, CSA, ETL


• Conduct design reviews, DFMEA activities, tolerance analyses, and risk assessments.


• Create test plans and product test requests for completion in internal or external testing laboratories.


• Perform data analysis of laboratory test results and provide technical direction and support to laboratory technicians.


• Creates and maintains various Engineering specifications to define company best practices.


• Prepares or coordinates with others in the creation of 3D models and engineering drawings in SolidWorks to document components and assemblies.


• Assists or coordinates the development and communication of conceptual ideas and solutions to internal teams and suppliers.


• Leads product teardowns, analysis, and reporting on competitive product designs.


• Supports or performs rigorous engineering analysis to develop design concepts that meet specifications using multi-physics/math modeling, digital prototyping (FEA, CFD, etc), and rapid prototyping methods.


• Creates visual and functional performance standards and assists in developing analysis or functional tests to identify and correct any weaknesses in products to ensure solutions meet aesthetic, functional and regulatory design criteria.


• Works with internal and external partners to define and develop prototypes used to validate engineering performance predictions or demonstrate new product features and benefits. Supports the release, sourcing, and construction, and inspection of prototypes with suppliers and manufacturing teams.


• Performs root cause analysis andapplies systematic problem-solving techniques (DMAIC, PDCA, A3, 8D, etc.)


• Participates or leads project team meetings, including formal design reviews.


• Keeps leadership apprised of work and ongoing issues.


• Able to travel to suppliers, development partners, and manufacturing plants as required to support company goals.


• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications: QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration Engineering, HVAC Engineering, or related engineering discipline


• Two or more years’ product development experience in fractional horsepower vapor compression refrigeration equipment


• Excellent written and verbal communication


• Resiliency and a passion for problem solving.


• United States work authorization


• Experience wth sheet metal fabrication, castings, machining, metal joining, plastics, and factory assembly methods.


• Experience with electro-mechanical components and sub-systems.


• Experience using CAD, PDM and ERP systems


• Knowledge of third-party certification processes such as UL and NSF.

PHYSICAL/SENSORY DEMANDS:

• Daily work may include sitting, bending, standing, crouching, reaching, and some lifting (up to 25 lbs.).

Perlick is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify. Perlick does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status.

Sponsorship and/or relocation are not available for this position.

#LI-Hybrid