Chief Engineer NPD Thermal Modeling

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION PURPOSE

The Chief Engineer NPD Thermal Modeling, leads BAC’s global thermal modeling and performance engineering capability, serving as both the technical authority and organizational leader for modeling, ratings, and certification in support of New Product Development (NPD). Establishes the enterprise methodology, standards, and tools required to generate accurate, scalable, and efficient performance predictions that enable CTI/Eurovent certification and drive product competitiveness. Ensures strong integration between modeling, testing, and product design, while representing BAC’s technical leadership within industry organizations

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Own and lead BAC’s global thermal modeling capability, including models, simulation tools, and performance prediction methodologies for new products

• Develop and govern scalable modeling approaches capable of rapid evaluation across configurations while maintaining CTI-certifiable accuracy

• Establish and govern global thermal ratings methodologies to ensure consistency, accuracy, and scalability across all product platforms

• Define and govern model validation strategy, including test planning, data requirements, and correlation between analytical models, lab testing, and field performance

• Lead team to analyze thermal data and identify trends that drive product performance improvements and model refinement

• Drive development of engineering tools and selection logic that enable both detailed modeling and rapid design tradeoff analysis

• Research, evaluate, and implement emerging modeling technologies to continuously improve capability, accuracy, and execution speed

• Provide COE coordination/guidance to Thermal engineers on other Global & Regional Engineering teams.

• Oversee development and continuous improvement of selection software logic, performance algorithms, and global toolsets used across engineering and commercial teams

• Research, evaluate, and implement emerging modeling technologies to continuously improve capability, accuracy, and execution speed

• Lead CTI certification for new products, ensuring compliance, documentation rigor, and alignment with internal modeling methodologies

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with CTI testers and leadership to enable efficient certification and influence testing practices

• Serve as one of BAC's primary representative on CTI committees and technical forums, influencing industry standards and maintaining technical leadership

• Provide system-level technical leadership to NPD teams, ensuring alignment between design intent, modeled performance, and certified outcomes

• Provide modeling-driven insights into product optimization, performance trade-offs, and design decisions across all NPD programs

• Provide technical leadership to NPD teams, guiding design decisions, tradeoffs, and configuration impacts on thermal performance

• Act as the central thermal authority supporting all product platforms, ensuring alignment between modeling, testing, and final product performance

NATURE AND SCOPE

The role operates at a global level across product development, testing, and certification. Leads a team of thermal engineers while also serving as a senior technical authority. Drives cross-functional alignment and influences high-impact decisions affecting product performance and certification. Externally recognized as a technical leader and represents BAC within industry organizations. The Global Thermal Engineering team also functions as a Center of Excellence (COE) which provides technical stewardship of the discipline across BAC, including standards and methods, and through a matrix model provides technical leadership and governance, without direct reporting authority, over all similar SME resources that exist in other areas of Global & Regional Engineering.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Aerospace Engineering required; Master’s or Ph.D. in Thermal Sciences or related field preferred

• 15+ years of experience in thermal systems engineering, heat transfer, or fluid dynamics

• Deep expertise in thermal ratings development, performance modeling, and engineering tool creation

• Experience developing and presenting options with tradeoffs to leadership

• Experience developing or managing selection software, engineering algorithms, or performance prediction tools

• Strong understanding of thermal certification standards (e.g., CTI) and industry compliance frameworks

• Ability to integrate theoretical modeling, experimental validation, and real-world application data into decision-making

• Demonstrated leadership experience managing and developing high-performing engineering teams

• Strong expertise in thermal modeling, simulation tools, and performance analysis

• Deep understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and thermodynamic principles

• Experience translating R&D and modeling insights into scalable, manufacturable solutions

• Knowledge of thermal testing methods, instrumentation, and validation approaches

• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance technical performance, cost, and operational considerations

• Excellent communication skills with ability to engage effectively with executive leadership and cross-functional teams

• Strategic thinker with a practical, results-driven approach to problem solving

WORKING CONDITIONS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk up to 10% of the time. The position requires occasional lifting up to 30 pounds. Travel, both domestic and international, is expected up to 20% of the time.

BAC Hiring Compensation Range $124,500 - $213,300.

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.