Senior Program Manager, Industrial Refrigeration

Johnson Controls, Inc.; Waynesboro (Franklin County); On-site; USD 112,000 - 187,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Paid vacation/holidays/sick time

Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care

On-the-job/cross-training opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Dedication to safety through Zero Harm policy

Job summary

Johnson Controls, Inc. is seeking a Program Manager II to lead and resolve complex technical issues in compression and refrigeration systems. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in these areas and act as a liaison among various teams to drive improvements.

This role involves managing multiple concurrent technical programs and analyzing field data to improve performance. A competitive salary range of $112,000 - $187,000 is offered, along with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of proven field experience in compression equipment or industrial refrigeration.
• 5+ years experience managing technical programs, projects, or complex field issues.
• Strong background in troubleshooting mechanical/process system problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of complex technical issues involving compression and refrigeration systems.
• Serve as primary interface between customers and engineering for high-impact issues.
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for performance challenges.

Skills

Gas compression

Industrial refrigeration

Process systems

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Program Manager II will lead the resolution of highly complex, technical issues related to compression equipment and process refrigeration systems across industrial applications. This role serves as the critical liaison between Engineering, Quality, and the customer, ensuring timely and effective resolution of field challenges while driving long-term product and system improvements.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in gas compression, industrial refrigeration, and process systems within industries such as petrochemical, oil & gas (wellhead compression), nuclear, or pharmaceutical manufacturing. This individual must be equally strong technically and interpersonally, capable of translating complex engineering challenges into clear, actionable communication across all levels of the organization and with customers.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end management of complex technical issues involving compression equipment and process refrigeration systems
• Serve as the primary interface between customers, engineering, and quality teams for high-impact field issues
• Drive root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for system-level failures and performance challenges
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to resolve critical issues, ensuring alignment on priority, scope, and execution
• Manage multiple concurrent technical programs, including timelines, deliverables, and risk mitigation
• Analyze field data and system performance to identify trends and systemic issues
• Provide technical guidance and leadership during escalations involving industrial equipment and processes
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to reliability, efficiency, and product performance
• Assist with new product introductions by ensuring service readiness and field support strategies are in place
• Develop clear, concise communication for both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering field OR Minimum of 10 years of proven field experience in compression equipment, industrial refrigeration, or related systems
• Minimum 5+ years of experience managing technical programs, projects, or complex field issues
• Strong background in troubleshooting and resolving complex mechanical/process system problems
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally in high-pressure, customer-facing environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years of relevant field experience (strongly preferred)
• Direct experience with:
  • Wellhead gas compression systems
  • Industrial/process refrigeration systems
  • Petrochemical or refining operations
  • Nuclear or pharmaceutical process environments
• Experience with rotating equipment, thermodynamics, and system-level diagnostics
• Familiarity with reliability methodologies (RCA, FMEA, Six Sigma)
• PMP or equivalent program/project management experience is a plus

Critical Skills & Competencies

• Advanced technical expertise in compression and refrigeration systems
• Exceptional communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to translate complex issues clearly
• Strong customer-facing presence and ability to manage high-stakes situations
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical thinking
• Proven ability to lead without authority in a matrixed organization
• Strong organizational and program management capabilities

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
• Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care
• On-the-job/cross-training opportunities
• Encouraging and collaborative team environment
• Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy

Salary Range

SALARY RANGE: $112,000 - $187,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers.