Contract Engineer

Contract Engineer - Heat Transfer Test Apparatus Design & Build

Contract position for one hands-on individual engineer using ATCO facility and shop resources

Position Summary

We are seeking a solo contract engineer to design, build, commission, and validate a functional heat-transfer test apparatus for internal product testing and material evaluation. This is a hands-on engineer who can work directly with our facility, maintenance resources, fabrication shop, and available plant equipment to turn technical test requirements into a reliable physical test system.

The selected engineer must be able to lead the practical build of the apparatus, including the mechanical structure, airflow system, thermal control, instrumentation, data acquisition, calibration approach, safety controls, and validation documentation. This role requires someone comfortable working in a shop environment, coordination with internal resources, and solving build issues as they come up.

Required Engineering Capabilities

Thermal System Design: Ability to design controlled heat-transfer environments, manage heat loss, understand insulation effects, perform energy balances, and troubleshoot temperature stability issues.

Airflow and Duct-System Knowledge: Experience with HVAC airflow, duct testing, pressure measurement, flow measurement, leakage control, fan/blower selection, and repeatable air-handling setups.

Mechanical Design and Fabrication: Ability to design chambers, frames, duct fixtures, access panels, supports, seals, insulation systems, sample mounts, and serviceable mechanical assemblies that can be built using shop resources.

Hands-On Shop Execution: Comfort working around fabrication equipment, maintenance personnel, electricians, welders, machinists, and plant technicians to move the apparatus from concept to physical build.

Controls and Automation: Experience with PID loops, temperature control, airflow control, heater control electrical control panels, safety interlocks, alarms, and stable operating logic.

Instrumentation and Calibration: Strong understanding of RTDs, thermocouples, pressure sensors, airflow measurement devices, power meters, signal wiring, sensor placement, calibration intervals, and traceable measurement practices.

Data Acquisition and Reporting: Ability to specify and integrate a data acquisition system capable of logging raw data, averaging test data, recording steady-state conditions, storing test history, and exporting usable reports.

Test Validation and Measurement Accuracy: Ability to validate the apparatus through baseline runs, repeatability checks, energy-balance review, measurement uncertainty analysis, and documented commissioning procedures.

Standards-Based Engineering: Ability to interpret technical test requirements and convert them into practical equipment requirements without overcomplicating the system. Experience with ASTM, UL, HVAC, insulation, or flexible duct test environments is preferred.

Scope of Work

That contract engineer will review the test requirements, identify the equipment and measurement needs, design the test unit, select instrumentation, develop the controls concept, coordinate with ATCO shop and facility resources, support fabrication, assemble or oversee assembly of the system, commission the equipment, and prove that the apparatus produces stable and repeatable results.

The work should include:

• Mechanical layout and design of the test apparatus
• Selection of heaters, fans/blowers, sensors, controls, and data acquisition hardware
• Electrical and controls design, including schematics and safety devices
• Sensor placement plan and calibration requirements
• Fabrication drawings, sketches, bill of materials, and detailed build documentation
• Direct coordination with in-house shop, maintenance, and facility resources
• Assembly support, troubleshooting, and field modifications during the build
• Commissioning and functional testing
• Repeatability and baseline validation runs
• Operator procedure and maintenance documentation

Required Deliverables

The final deliverable must be a fully operational test apparatus, not only drawings or recommendations. Required deliverables include:

• Complete working test unit
• Mechanical drawings, sketches, or build documentation
• Electrical and control schematics
• Instrument list with calibration requirements
• Data acquisition/logging setup and data output format
• Operating procedure
• Calibration and verification procedure
• Validation report showing repeatability and system stability
• Maintenance and troubleshooting guide

Mueller Industries Companies provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, sex, age, national origin, color, religion, disability, handicap or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and any other basis as may be specified by applicable federal, state, or local laws.