Sr Thermal Test Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION PURPOSE

Baltimore Aircoil Company is seeking a Senior Thermal Test Engineer as a member of the Thermal Support Systems Group.  This engineer is charged with overseeing thermal testing for BAC’s global product lines to support development of thermal models, for regulatory testing, for customer performance testing, and to support new product introduction (NPI) initiatives. This role is tasked with establishing state of the art testing processes and elevating personnel and equipment to a world class degree of efficiency. This role would acquire and deploy expertise in cooling tower, fluid cooler, condenser and hybrid systems, field testing, as well as set up global testing facility standards. This role would lend his/her expertise and be a representative at relevant heat rejection associations and consortiums.

NATURE & SCOPE

Reports to the Chief Engineer, Thermal Support Systems Group.  

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• B.S. degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering with a strong emphasis in thermodynamics, heat/ mass transfer and fluid mechanics.  Graduate degree, graduate course and/ or P.E. is a plus.

• Good scientific and engineering programming skills. Efficient with Microsoft Excel VBA programming and/or other widely used engineering computation software. Ability to work with or learn to work with CAD software.

• 6-8 years’ experience in testing of HVAC & refrigeration systems and components.  Graduate degree in related areas could be counted towards experience.

• Must enjoy a hands-on approach in an open learning, continuous improvement environment.

• High level of competence with experimental work and laboratory testing.  Good knowledge of flow, pressure, temperature, and velocity measurements.  Familiar with the instrumentation involved and it’s operating principles in a psychrometric testing environment. Familiarity with data acquisition systems (LABVIEW, etc), flow sizing, and fan characteristics is a plus.

• Knowledge of the concept of test uncertainty and measurement error accumulation is a plus.

• Effective communication, written and verbal, with a globally diverse audience.

• Ability to work independently and with others on teams to understand and translate design and process engineering requirements into thermal test plans and thermal models.

• Ability to understand product/component function, reliability, and quality requirements.

• Strong time management and project management skills.

• Independently applies theory and principles to engineering practice. Strong analysis and problem-solving ability.

• Inquisitive, self-motivated, dedicated and detail-oriented with excellent follow-through skills.

• Ability to train and successfully interface with laboratory technicians is a must.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Be the point-of-contact with the R&D Laboratory on all thermal testing programs

• Lead the thermal data testing required to develop theoretical models. Assist to develop performance rating programs. Be intimately involved in critical stages of thermal modeling such as unit selection, scheduling, prototype testing, and data interpretation.

• Support innovation to identify opportunities for improving thermal performance through performance concept testing and data analysis. Provide analysis, recommendations on concept behavior and enhancement and be responsible for ensuring project reports are written.

• Provide thermal engineering expertise and support to New Product Introduction. Perform or oversee prototype testing and data reduction. Take initiative to evaluate prototype behavior at NPI stage to identify deficiencies and potential for performance enhancement.

• Lead the efforts to oversee and complete CTI annual re-certification tests. Schedule test windows, select test units, and co-ordinate CTI tester and lab activities. 

• Actively represent the organization at the Institute by participating in committees, presentations and product showcases. 

• Become R&D laboratory continuous improvement icon.  Benchmark thermal testing processes versus other industry leaders.  Optimize testing techniques and processes to drastically scale testing capacity.  Review existing lab processes, lab systems (DAQ, etc) and technical sub-routines to improve the efficiency and quality of data collection and analysis. Enhance the integration of engineering projects with laboratory priorities and personnel. Assist to schedule and plan test matrix to minimize prototype testing burdens while providing enough data to validate theoretical model and/or innovation concept. Provide training and guidance as needed.

• Support customer thermal performance verification testing (Factory Witness Testing) by setting expectations, setting up the test program, resolving queries, and generating reports

• Support the field installation, testing and troubleshooting of towers, fluid coolers, condensers, and hybrid equipment.

• Support the improvement and expansion efforts of global prototype testing facilities to cater to diverse needs.  

• Prepare reports on complex projects. Make presentations at all levels of organization. Effectively communicate with both internal and external personnel.

• Provide continuous improvement to laboratory processes and test procedures and develop and refine Standard Operating Procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS 

• Travel can be up to 15% of the time

BAC Hiring Compensation Range $90,000 - $154,100

BAC offers a comprehensive benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401k, employee stock ownership plan, and more. Please see additional details on the BAC website at 

BAC Employees are eligible to participate in an annual bonus incentive program.