Sr. Director Engineering, Solutions Systems (HVAC)

Daikin Applied Americas Inc; Iowa (LA); Hybrid; USD 163,000 - 286,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401K

Paid time off

Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Daikin Applied is seeking a Sr. Director Engineering, Solutions Systems to lead architecture and execution of integrated HVAC solutions, spanning embedded to cloud, across Daikin Applied Americas and global initiatives.

You will guide a cross-functional team and set the technology roadmap for Datacenter and building controls. This hybrid role based in Plymouth, MN reports to the Controls VP for Solutions, with collaboration across Product Management, Digital Infrastructure, Quality,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in complex systems engineering with 5+ years leading teams.
• Experience in developing products from embedded software to cloud-based applications.
• Experience with agile development methods and modern project/tool chains.
• Experience in integrating products using standard communications protocols.
• Experience with commercial HVAC and/or Datacenter building systems is preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to translate market needs into practical solutions.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple funding sources.
• Excellent communication across all levels of the organization.

Responsibilities

• Build Solutions and Datacenter Technology Strategy & Roadmap – set the solutions product strategy across DAA product families; define the multi-year technology roadmap.
• Platform & Architecture – drive modular platform architecture and establish design/quality standards.
• Algorithms & Applications - lead design of solutions that improve performance while reducing costs.
• Building Management System Interoperability & Ecosystem - ensure seamless BMS integration.
• Regulatory, Safety & Standards - drive compliance across groups.
• Partner with Digital org to institutionalize cybersecurity-by-design and lead vulnerability response.
• Quality, Validation & Field Performance - scale automated tests and use telemetry for improvements.
• Engineering Processes, Systems & Tools - improve processes and toolchains for scalable delivery.
• People Leadership & Execution – mentor and grow a high-performing team; ensure on-time delivery.

Skills

Systems engineering

Team leadership

Embedded to cloud

Agile development

Product integration

HVAC/datacenter domain

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Standards compliance

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer engineering or related field

Master’s degree in Computer Engineering or related field

Job description

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025! Sr. Director Engineering, Solutions Systems (HVAC) – Plymouth, MN – Hybrid. Daikin Applied is seeking an innovative and dynamic leader to serve as Sr. Director Engineering, Solutions Systems. This is a multi-facetted role providing direction for team members working on products for Daikin Applied Americas as well as people working on global Daikin initiatives. This role is responsible for the technical vision, architecture, and execution of the integrated products that provide full HVAC solutions for our customers. This involves everything from augmenting our HVAC equipment up to and including enterprise building controls and datacenters. You will lead the development of products created by Daikin, as well as seamlessly integrating products from key third-party partners into the Daikin ecosystem. This role will work with everything from controller hardware and embedded software through cloud-based web applications. You will be working closely with other Daikin and non-Daikin groups to ensure full alignment to corporate and industry standards. You will also create, institutionalize, and continuously improve the engineering processes, systems, and tool chains required to reliably deliver the solutions offerings across product lines—from concept and new product introduction through release, sustaining, and field support. The position reports to the Controls Vice President for Solutions and partners closely with Global Technical Development and Engineering, Digital Infrastructure, Product Management, Systems Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Field organizations across multiple sites. Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor!

Location: Hybrid, Plymouth, MN

Your Responsibilities:

• Building Solutions and Datacenter Technology Strategy & Roadmap – Work with business teams in the US and globally to set the solutions product strategy across DAA product families; define the multi-year technology roadmap to enable product roadmaps and requirements that create customer value.
• Platform & Architecture – Drive the architecture of reusable, modular platforms for use across multiple global product lines. Establish standards for product design and quality, configuration management, remote updates, and edge-to-cloud data models.
• Algorithms & Applications - Lead design of solutions products that improve the capabilities and performance of customer systems, while reducing their total cost of operations.
• Building Management System Interoperability & Ecosystem - Ensure seamless integration of building management products to provide differentiated solutions for our customers.
• Regulatory, Safety & Standards - Drive compliance for our products and coordinate across groups to meet all required industry standards.
• Partner with our Digital organization to institutionalize cybersecurity-by-design (threat modeling, secure coding, secure storage, authenticated updates) and lead vulnerability response processes.
• Quality, Validation & Field Performance - Build and scale automated test assets and field testing of new and updated products. Use fleet telemetry and service data to identify product improvements; drive continuous improvement to reduce install and commissioning time for Daikin solutions products.
• Engineering Processes, Systems & Tools - Define, implement, and continuously improve the engineering processes, systems, and tools that enable consistent delivery of solutions offerings at scale. This includes the development of new technologies required to support future product roadmaps.
• People Leadership & Execution – Drive the strategic vision and related organizational design, lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing solutions development organization, fostering innovation and continuous improvement. Manage project execution from requirements through release and sustaining; ensure on-time delivery of new and updated products and meet cost/value objectives.

Your Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in complex systems engineering with 5+ years leading teams.
• Experience in developing products utilizing all types of software from embedded through cloud-based applications.
• Experience using agile development methods and modern project/tool chains.
• Experience in integrating products using standard communications protocols.
• Experience with commercial HVAC and/or Datacenter building systems products is preferred.
• Leadership & Collaboration Experience Track record building and scaling cross-functional teams, partnering with Product Management, business teams, Quality, Manufacturing, and Service.
• Experience working with internal groups to understand and follow company standards.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to translate market needs into practical, differentiated, manufacturable, and serviceable solutions.
• Experience managing teams and projects to support multiple business groups and with multiple funding sources.
• Demonstrated strong communication skills that span from direct reports to senior leadership Process, Systems & Tooling Excellence Experience Proven ability to implement and improve development processes, systems, and toolchains that deliver product offerings reliably and repeatably.
• Results Orientation Experience Evidence of delivering products to market with measurable gains in energy efficiency, reliability, commissioning simplicity, and service outcomes.
• Adept at balancing performance, BOM, schedule, and risk.

Your Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s in Computer Engineering or related technical field.

Your Benefits:

• Multiple medical insurance plan options
• dental and vision insurance
• 401K retirement plan with employer match
• Paid time off and company paid holidays
• Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state and local law
• Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service

The typical annual base salary for this position ranges from $162,500 - $285,800 plus a 30% Bonus in Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on a wide range of factors including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

#LI-DF1 If you're looking for an engaging career with growth opportunities in a supportive environment, you'll love a career at Daikin Applied! Building a more sustainable planet. Creating comfortable, healthy spaces for people to connect, live and work. Perfecting the air we share. Daikin Applied is not just an HVAC company. We're part of a global technology powerhouse that uses Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) to transform the world. We're innovators and leaders. Not only as a business, but as individuals. And we are honored to say we were named to Forbes' America's Best-In-State Employers list for 2025, ranking #1 in Minnesota for Manufacturing and Engineering. You see, we're not just innovating on the outside. We're innovating on the inside to unlock people's unlimited potential and bring out the diverse and groundbreaking ideas that will help us solve today's most pressing challenges. That's why Daikin offers more than a job. Here's where you'll be heard, be valued, belong -- and be able to make your mark. Over the past several years, we’ve proudly welcomed several organizations into our family, each bringing unique strengths, deep expertise, and talented teams. As we continue to grow, these partners play a vital role in expanding our capabilities and shaping the future of our organization. Whichever Daikin Applied company you join, you’ll be part of a unified, supportive environment where you can make an impact and grow your career.