Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Smardt•Phoenix, AZ

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

Smardt is a global pioneer in oil-free centrifugal chiller technology, expanding its portfolio of thermal management solutions for various industries worldwide. The Lead Mechanical Design Engineer will spearhead the mechanical design, engineering execution, and technical alignment of custom and standard equipment, collaborating closely with North American stakeholders and Smardt’s parent company, TICA. This role involves hands-on product design, cross-functional engineering leadership, and global collaboration, with a clear trajectory to build and lead a regional design engineering team. The engineer will serve as the technical liaison between North America and TICA engineering/manufacturing teams, ensuring designs are optimized for performance, manufacturability, cost, and compliance with regional standards.

Requirements

10+ years of mechanical design engineering experience
Experience working with global engineering/manufacturing teams strongly preferred
Prior leadership or mentoring experience is an asset (formal or informal)
5+ years in HVAC systems, preferably AHUs or refrigeration
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Strong proficiency in 3D CAD tools (Autodesk Inventor preferred; SolidWorks experience an asset)
Deep understanding of airflow and thermal analysis
Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and modular product design
BOM development and product configuration
HVAC system design and component selection
Experience with PLM/PDM systems (e.g., Autodesk Vault) and ERP systems (e.g., Business Central)
Strong cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills
High level of ownership, accountability, and initiative
Ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences
Problem-solving mindset with a focus on practical, scalable solutions
Ability to operate effectively in a startup or build-phase environment
Ability to travel cross-border (less than 25% time)

Nice To Haves

P.Eng (or eligibility) preferred

Responsibilities

Lead the mechanical design and manufacturing of HVAC products for the North American market.
Translate customer requirements, project specifications, and sales concepts into robust, manufacturable engineering designs.
Own airflow, thermal performance, and mechanical system design, ensuring alignment with project and product performance targets.
Develop and maintain design standards, best practices, and modular product architectures to enable scalability and repeatability.
Act as the primary technical interface with TICA engineering teams in China, ensuring alignment on design intent, capabilities, and manufacturing constraints.
Coordinate across time zones and cultures to drive efficient design reviews, issue resolution, and product localization.
Support technology transfer and product adaptation between global platforms and North American requirements.
Navigate and reconcile differences in engineering approaches, standards, and expectations between regions.
Lead technical review of project specifications, consultant drawings, and customer requirements.
Identify risks, gaps, and compliance issues early in the project lifecycle.
Ensure timely and accurate release of engineering documentation, BOMs, and production packages.
Partner with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality to ensure designs are buildable, cost-effective, and aligned with production capabilities.
Ensure designs comply with AHRI, ASHRAE, UL/ETL, ASTM, seismic, wind load, and regional energy efficiency standards.
Define and support certification strategies and regulatory compliance for North American markets.
Stay current on evolving HVAC regulations and integrate them into product design proactively.
Drive design optimization, cost reduction, and standardization initiatives.
Contribute to the long-term product roadmap for SmardtAir AHUs in North America.
Implement structured problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 8D) to resolve design and production issues.