Application Design Engineer

American Chillers•Columbia, SC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

American Chillers designs and manufactures industrial process chillers and cooling systems for a growing range of demanding applications including industrial process, brewing, medical imaging, and battery energy storage. As a fast-moving, growth-stage manufacturer, engineers have real ownership over the products they help bring to market and direct contact with the customers who use them. This role is a central technical resource across the business, translating customer requirements into specified, build-ready chiller designs. The engineer will own the technical thread from initial project specification through submittal and into production, and partner with suppliers to develop new products and improve existing ones. This is a strategic hire intended to take engineering and specification work off the owner's plate, so a strong candidate will quickly become the go-to person for how we build things.

Requirements

3-5 years of experience in design engineering and/or application engineering.
Hands-on HVAC/R experience (chillers, refrigeration, mechanical/process cooling, or closely related equipment).
Proficiency with CAD software for mechanical design and drawings.
Ability to read and interpret specifications, schedules, and technical drawings.
Strong communication skills - comfortable working directly with customers, reps, and suppliers.
Organized and self-directed; able to own projects end to end.
On-site in the Columbia, SC area (this is not a remote role).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (equivalent hands-on experience considered).
Experience preparing equipment submittals or working in a custom/engineered-to-order manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with refrigeration circuits, heat transfer, pumps, controls and electrical schematics.
Exposure to ERP/PLM systems.
The kind of engineer who picks it up fast and runs with it.

Responsibilities

Specify projects: translate customer requirements, operating conditions, and performance criteria into the correct chiller configuration, options, and component selections.
Build submittals: prepare and process equipment submittals, performance verification, and approval drawings for customers and reps.
Engineering design in CAD: produce and revise layout drawings, component designs, and documentation using CAD software.
Work with suppliers: collaborate with component and material suppliers to source parts, develop new products, and improve cost, lead time, and performance.
Support the internal team: serve as a technical resource for sales, purchasing, and production; resolve build questions on the floor and keep specs accurate.
Continuous improvement: help standardize selections, options, and documentation as we scale.