Project Engineer III (Design & Development)

Rheem Manufacturing Company; Fort Smith (AR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Rheem Manufacturing Company seeks a Project Engineer III to lead design and development of International Ducted HVAC systems, coordinating cross-functional teams from concept to launch. The role focuses on thermos-fluid analysis, testing, and optimization, with relocation support available and a hybrid work arrangement in Fort Smith, AR.

You will manage projects, mentor engineers, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with internal and external standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in product development related to HVAC&R equipment.
• Experience developing and validating HVAC systems including inverter-driven compressors, vapor injection, electronic expansion valve control, variable-speed fans, and control algorithms.
• Strong thermos-fluid modeling and design proficiency.
• Experience designing experiments, analyzing data, and preparing summary reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of next-generation HVAC products and systems.
• Manage projects from concept through launch using phase-gate processes.
• Conduct thermos-fluid analysis and evaluate design options against standards and costs.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Develop and optimize components for HVAC systems and ensure system integration.
• Plan and conduct concept and validation testing for performance and reliability.
• Mentor junior engineers and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Project management

Thermos-fluid modeling

Data analysis

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related Engineering

Tools

Creo

SolidWorks

Pro/E

CAE analysis (FEA/CFD)

ANSYS/Fluent

MATLAB

LabVIEW

EnergyPlus

GT-SUITE

Job description

Job Description

The Project Engineer III is responsible for managing all aspects of product design and development activities for our International Ducted HVAC systems. The International Ducted team develops HVAC systems primarily manufactured in Mexico and the UAE for the MEA market. As a member of the product engineering team, this position will have to perform, lead, and coordinate activities related to system and component modeling, simulation, design, prototyping, testing, and analysis and all other engineering activities from concept through product launch as well as responsibility for product maintenance, cost improvement, quality improvement and similar projects. This position will direct and coordinate a project team in the planning, organization, implementation, and completion of engineering project assignments, playing a key role in new technology development and validation activities.

This position will serve Rheem North America located in Fort Smith, AR (Hybrid). This role follows our hybrid work arrangement, with team members working in the office Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays. Relocation assistance is available.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of next-generation HVAC products, including variable-speed compressors.
• Lead engineering projects from concept through launch using Rheem’s phase-gate development process.
• Conduct thermos-fluid analysis using analytical methods, in-house design tools, and other commercial software.
• Conduct background research, analysis, and testing of various design options as it relates to key requirements including applicable product and test standards, performance, cost, manufacturability, installability, and serviceability.
• Lead activities with cross-functional teams to address challenges and ensure successful completion of projects.
• Design, analyze, and select components for HVAC systems, ensuring optimal system integration and performance.
• Plan and conduct concept and validation testing to evaluate system performance, reliability, and compliance with internal and external standards.
• Investigate and troubleshoot product design related problems, document findings, and perform corrective actions.
• Create reports and presentations on project activities as required.
• Manage projects of varying scale to ensure projects are executed within time and budget constraints.
• Keep abreast of industry activities, product and technology trends, and the competitive landscape.
• Support the development of factory and field-installed accessories for assigned products.
• Own and manage documentation including design specifications, engineering drawings, BOMs, test plans, and technical reports.
• Drive continuous improvement and support value engineering, sustaining, and quality initiatives.
• Review industry policies and procedures to ensure data accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance
• Take action to resolve operational problems and minimize delays.
• Identify, develop, and gather resources necessary to complete the project.
• Prepare engineering designs and work specifications.
• Develop project schedules, budgets, and forecasts.
• Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers, supporting their development through coaching, knowledge transfer, design reviews, and hands-on guidance while promoting engineering excellence and continuous improvement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Aerospace, or related Engineering.
• 5+ years of experience in product development related to HVAC&R equipment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and validating HVAC systems including inverter-driven compressors, vapor injection technologies, electronic expansion valve control, variable-speed fan systems, capacity modulation strategies, and control algorithm development.
• Strong proficiency in application of thermos-fluid modeling, analysis, design and development of products and systems.
• Demonstrated ability in designing experiments, interpreting data, conducting data analysis, including statistical and uncertainty analysis, drawing conclusions, and preparing summary reports.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures and regulations.
• Demonstrated computer proficiency in all business-related software packages (e.g. MS Office).
• Experience with specific applications and programs related to design engineering (e.g. Creo, SolidWorks, Pro/E, etc) and familiarity or experience with CAE analysis (FEA, CFD).
• Extensive experience in project management, materials selection, manufacturing processes, and business processes.
• Familiarity with industry rules, regulations, best practices, and performance standards.

How To Stand Out

• Advanced Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field. Specialization in Thermal-Fluids and/or Energy Engineering
• Knowledge of HVAC design principles and vapor compression.
• Knowledge of analysis & system development tools (e.g. ANSYS/Fluent, ANSYS/Mechanical, MATLAB, LabView, EnergyPlus, GT-SUITE, etc.)
• Experience working in VapCyc and/or CoilDesigner
• Familiarity or experience working with should-costing software (e.g. aPriori)
• Knowledge of applicable GCC codes and standards (including, but not limited to, IEC, G-Mark, SASO, MOIAT, PAI, MEW, MOIC, QCC, Barjeel, QS, and DGSM)

At Rheem, How You Achieve Results Is As Important As The Results You Achieve. While LEADING OTHERS, You Will Be Expected To Demonstrate The Following Competencies And Behaviors

• Aligning Performance for Success
• Applying Business Knowledge
• Building Talent
• Building Trusted Relationships
• Communicating with Impact
• Customer-Orientation
• Delegating Tasks
• Executing/Leading the Team
• Facilitating Change
• Fostering Relationships/ Emotional Intelligence
• Influencing
• Problem Solving & Decision Making
• Supporting Innovation

Equivalent combination of education, experience, and skills may supplement above minimum job requirements.

About Us

At Rheem, we engineer products for life. For home life. For work life. For the life of the planet we all share. Backed by over 100 years of expertise, we’re passionate about product innovation and boldly committed to sustainability. Our full line of global air and water solutions deliver reliable performance, comfort and energy savings for residential and commercial applications worldwide. From engineers to accountants, sales professionals to support experts, Rheem depends on people to power our innovations. Join Rheem and help shape the future of products that impact lives—every day.

Our Behavior Based Values Set Us Apart

• Listening to Understand – Open mind, learning from others, accepting feedback, embracing the objective
• Contributing Respectfully - Sharing opinions, valuing ideas, sharing opposing perspectives with respect
• Thinking Creatively – Applying creativity, seeking improvements, understanding from the customers’ lens
• Acting with Responsibility – Owning decisions and actions, acting with integrity, embracing accountability

Rheem is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Rheem encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including those of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

For U.S. Based jobs, please note that Rheem is unable to hire candidates to be employed in the following states: Alaska, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, or Vermont.

Rheem and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of an executed Recruitment Services Agreement, there will be no obligation to any referral compensation or recruiter fee.