Director, R&D

SPX Technologies • Overland Park, KS

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As Director, R&D, you will lead engineering activities related to the design, development, application, and continuous improvement of coil heat exchanger products used in HVAC, refrigeration, and industrial applications. This role provides technical and organizational leadership for product development, engineering design, resource planning, and manufacturing support while ensuring engineering work is completed safely, accurately, competitively, and in alignment with business priorities. You will serve as a global technical expert for coil products and refrigeration systems, leading engineers and designers in the development of new products and technical solutions while ensuring compliance with applicable specifications, codes, manufacturing requirements, cost objectives, and customer expectations. The role works closely with Manufacturing, Sourcing, Product Management, Sales, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders to bring new products to market, resolve complex technical issues, and continually improve engineering productivity and effectiveness. This role encourages innovation and continuously improves efficiency of technical support, monitors advances of technology and competition, and supports global and acquisition-related technical issues in areas of expertise.

Requirements

• 12–15 years of progressive engineering experience in a related technical field.
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering teams and developing technical professionals.
• Strong heat transfer and coil product design experience.
• Refrigeration systems experience.
• Knowledge of heat exchanger design codes and standards, including ASME, UL, ASHRAE, and AHRI.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex product development and engineering programs.
• Strong engineering judgment, analytical skills, and technical problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively with engineers, customers, suppliers, and senior leadership.
• Ability to influence, gain commitment, and deliver results through both direct leadership and cross-functional collaboration.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Must meet applicable requirements for engineering licensure examinations as defined by company expectations.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced knowledge of coil heat exchanger design, refrigeration systems, and related HVAC applications.
• Experience leading global engineering initiatives or supporting products across multiple regions.
• Experience participating in or chairing technical industry committees and professional associations.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and 3D modeling software.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project, SAP, Access, or similar engineering and business systems.
• Demonstrated track record of innovation, continuous improvement, value engineering, and cost reduction.
• Master’s degree in Engineering or PhD preferred.
• EIT/FE and Professional Engineer licensure preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a multi-year certification roadmap aligned with product strategies, market expansion goals, and customer requirements.
• Lead and develop engineers and designers supporting coil products, including performance management, mentoring, career planning, coaching, and technical development.
• Manage engineering forecasting, manpower planning, scheduling, and supplemental engineering resources to meet project schedules, business priorities, and budgets.
• Establish priorities and provide technical direction to ensure engineering work is accurate, timely, compliant with specifications and codes, and commercially competitive.
• Develop and communicate engineering performance metrics, operating plans, budgets, resource requirements, and progress against key business objectives.
• Partner with Manufacturing and Sourcing to ensure product designs can be manufactured cost-effectively and supplier activities support project requirements and schedules.
• Lead or support engineering projects by establishing project scope, schedules, budgets, deliverables, and plans for achieving technical and business objectives.
• Interface with internal and external customers regarding technical performance issues, engineering requirements, and product solutions.
• Collaborate across Engineering, Manufacturing, Sourcing, Product Management, Sales, and other functions to resolve issues and support successful commercialization of new and existing products.
• Develop and maintain certification schedules, priorities, and tracking tools across applicable product lines.
• Coordinate certification activities with external agencies, testing organizations, and other third-party resources as required.
• Support development and management of certification budgets, including anticipated testing, renewal, and external resource costs.
• Identify upcoming certification needs associated with new products, product changes, customer requirements, or market expansion.
• Report and lead internal reviews of certification compliance status.
• Develop and implement continuous improvement processes focused on quality, schedule compliance, productivity, cost effectiveness, and engineering efficiency.
• Monitor advancements in technology, competitive products, industry practices, and emerging engineering requirements to identify opportunities for product and process improvement.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, technical documentation, and methods that support consistent and effective engineering execution.
• Represent SPX in industry technical forums, committees, and external technical discussions and provide technical information to senior leadership as required.

Benefits

• Generous and flexible paid time off including paid personal time off, caregiver, parental, and volunteer leave
• Competitive health insurance plans
• 401(k) match
• Competitive and performance-based compensation packages
• Bonus plans
• Educational assistance
• Leadership development programs
• Recognition programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director