VAVE Project Engineer

Johnson Controls, Inc.; Largo (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Johnson Controls, Inc. is seeking a VAVE Project Engineer in Florida to support cost‑reduction initiatives for Enviro‑Tec HVAC products. You will work with engineers and cross‑functional teams to identify opportunities, develop practical improvements, and implement changes from idea to production release.

You’ll gain hands‑on experience with product design, cost analysis, and manufacturing processes. Responsibilities include data‑driven analyses, documentation, and collaboration across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline as listed.
• Zero to two years of engineering, internship, co‑op, or related experience.
• Basic understanding of drawings, BOMs, specs and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with 2D/3D CAD software; SolidWorks or AutoCAD preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel for calculations and tracking.
• Ability to apply fundamental engineering principles to problems.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines.
• Willingness to work hands‑on with products, prototypes, and suppliers.
• Clear written and verbal communication; cross‑functional collaboration.
• Curiosity and initiative to learn HVAC products and VAVE methods.

Responsibilities

• Support cost‑reduction opportunities through product reviews, analyses, supplier input, and teardowns.
• Define project requirements and develop practical product improvements with cross‑functional teams.
• Coordinate multiple VAVE projects, tracking scope, priorities, risks, schedules, and savings.
• Use SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Excel to create or revise models, BOMs, specs, and docs.
• Design or modify HVAC components and assemblies with various parts and systems.
• Apply value‑engineering and design‑for‑manufacturing principles to cut material, labor, and steps.
• Prepare preliminary cost and savings calculations with available data and guidance.
• Support prototype builds, supplier samples, teardowns, trials, and tests.
• Review test and production feedback, document results, and support corrective actions.
• Prepare and coordinate engineering changes with drawings, BOMs, specs, and manufacturing docs.
• Communicate project status and savings forecasts through trackers and summaries.
• Contribute to VAVE process improvements by maintaining records and templates.

Skills

CAD software

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Documentation

Cross-functional teamwork

Hands-on prototype work

Communication

Attention to detail

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

What you will do

The VAVE Project Engineer supports Value Analysis/Value Engineering projects for Enviro-Tec HVAC products, including air-handling units, fan-coil and blower-coil products, and variable air volume equipment. Working with experienced engineers and cross-functional partners, you will help identify, develop, validate, and implement product improvements that reduce cost while maintaining or improving product performance, quality, reliability, safety, manufacturability, and serviceability.

This is an engineering position offering hands‑on experience in product design, project coordination, cost analysis, prototype development, laboratory testing, manufacturing, and engineering change implementation. You will support multiple VAVE projects from initial idea through production release while building working knowledge of HVAC products, engineering processes, and value‑engineering methods.

How you will do it

• Support the identification and evaluation of cost‑reduction opportunities through product reviews, engineering analysis, supplier proposals, manufacturing feedback, quality information, and structured product teardowns.
• Work with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Finance, Product Management, suppliers, and the test lab to define project requirements and develop practical product improvements.
• Coordinate multiple VAVE projects by tracking scope, priorities, assigned actions, technical risks, schedules, expected savings, testing requirements, and implementation status.
• Use SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Microsoft Excel, and other engineering tools to create or revise models, drawings, DXFs, bills of materials, calculations, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Design or modify HVAC components and assemblies, which may include sheet‑metal parts, insulation, brackets, coils, piping packages, fans, motors, controls, wiring‑related hardware, and purchased components.
• Apply value‑engineering and design‑for‑manufacturing principles to reduce material, labor, part count, fabrication steps, assembly complexity, scrap, rework, and other product costs without compromising required functionality.
• Prepare preliminary cost and savings calculations using material pricing, labor estimates, production volumes, tooling costs, supplier quotations, and other available information, with guidance from Engineering, Procurement, Manufacturing, and Finance.
• Support prototype builds, supplier samples, product teardowns, manufacturing trials, and laboratory testing to confirm fit, function, performance, reliability, and manufacturability.
• Review test and production feedback with experienced engineers, document results, and support corrective actions or design refinements when proposed changes do not meet requirements.
• Prepare and coordinate engineering changes, including updates to drawings, models, BOMs, specifications, product logic, submittals, design guides, and manufacturing documentation.
• Communicate project status, savings forecasts, technical issues, and required decisions through project trackers, one‑page summaries, design reviews, and engineering updates.
• Help improve the VAVE process by maintaining project records, documenting lessons learned, updating templates and savings guidance, and contributing new product‑improvement ideas.

What we look for (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Entry‑level candidates and recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Zero to two years of engineering, internship, co‑op, academic‑project, manufacturing, or product‑design experience.
• Basic understanding of engineering drawings, bills of materials, product specifications, and manufacturing processes.
• Academic or practical experience using 2D or 3D CAD software. SolidWorks or AutoCAD experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for calculations, data organization, and project tracking.
• Ability to apply fundamental engineering principles to evaluate technical problems and develop possible solutions.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, establish priorities, and meet agreed‑upon deadlines.
• Willingness to work hands‑on with products, prototypes, manufacturing personnel, suppliers, and laboratory equipment.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly in written and verbal form.
• Ability to work effectively in a cross‑functional team and seek guidance when requirements or technical issues are unclear.
• Curiosity, initiative, and willingness to learn HVAC products, manufacturing processes, cost analysis, and VAVE methods.

What we look for (Preferred)

• Internship, co‑op, senior design, laboratory, or project experience involving product design, manufacturing, HVAC equipment, thermal systems, fluid systems, sheet metal, piping, or electromechanical products.
• Experience creating or modifying 3D models, 2D drawings, assemblies, and bills of materials.
• Exposure to cost‑reduction, design‑for‑manufacturing, value engineering, lean manufacturing, or continuous‑improvement projects.
• Familiarity with prototype development, product testing, engineering changes, or root‑cause analysis.
• Experience working with data, cost calculations, supplier quotations, or technical project trackers.
• Interest in developing project‑management and cross‑functional leadership skills.