Sustaining Engineer

Sustaining Engineer – HVAC

The Sustaining Engineer is responsible for supporting existing HVAC products, ensuring their long-term performance, quality, and manufacturability. This role provides daily engineering support to factory operations, drives cost-reduction initiatives, manages engineering changes, and collaborates with suppliers, manufacturing, and cross-functional teams. The engineer also mentors junior engineers or interns and manages sustaining projects independently.

Job responsibilities/goals:

• Provide engineering support to factory operations and resolve technical issues.
• Drive product improvements, cost reduction, and manufacturability enhancements.
• Manage engineering changes, supplier qualifications, and documentation updates.
• Ensure compliance with HVAC industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers or interns while independently managing small sustaining projects.

Day to day tasks:

• Provide daily engineering support to production and factory operations.
• Manage Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Bill of Materials (BOM) updates, and supplier qualification testing.
• Develop and validate minor design modifications for manufacturability or quality.
• Participate in cost-reduction and process improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with supply chain to qualify alternate suppliers and materials.
• Use structured problem-solving tools (FMEA, RCA, 8D, etc.) to resolve issues.
• Interface with suppliers and factory leadership to address technical challenges.
• Maintain engineering documentation and compliance records.
• Support and guide new hires or interns through mentorship.

Work environment/physical requirements:

• Primarily office-based work with regular interaction across manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
• Frequent collaboration with factory operations, which may include time on the shop floor.
• Occasional supplier visits or vendor qualification testing activities.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods while observing or troubleshooting equipment.
• Moderate lifting (up to 25 lbs) may be required during prototype handling or lab testing.
• Fast-paced environment requiring flexibility, multitasking, and strong communication skills.

Required education and work experience:

• Education: Minimum Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (required).
• Experience: 2–5 years in sustaining engineering, manufacturing engineering, or HVAC product engineering.
• Certifications: Lean / Six Sigma Green Belt a plus.

Technical skills:

• Strong understanding of HVAC systems, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics.
• Proficiency in CAD tools (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and PLM systems (Teamcenter, Windchill, or similar).
• Experience with ECNs, BOM management, and supplier qualification.
• Knowledge of HVAC industry standards (ASHRAE, UL, AHRI, DOE).
• Soft skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, ability to work independently, effective cross-functional collaboration, and strong written and verbal communication.