Manager, Refrigeration Engineering (Ultra-Low Temperature Systems)

Schedule: Monday-Friday
Work Environment: Onsite Office

Overview

Join a global technology and engineering organization focused on developing advanced temperature-controlled equipment and cold storage solutions. This leadership position will oversee the design, development, and lifecycle support of ultra-low temperature (ULT) refrigeration systems used in highly regulated and technically demanding applications.

The Manager of Refrigeration Engineering will lead a team of engineers and technicians responsible for designing energy-efficient, high-performance refrigeration platforms. This role works closely with Product Management, Controls Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, and Manufacturing teams to ensure products meet customer requirements, performance targets, and applicable industry standards.

This is an onsite position in the Midwestern United States.

Key Responsibilities

Refrigeration Engineering Leadership

• Lead a global refrigeration engineering team supporting cascade vapor-compression systems used in ultra-low temperature and cold storage equipment.
• Establish refrigeration system strategies and architectures aligned with product roadmaps and platform standardization initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership for sealed-system design, including compressors, heat exchangers, refrigerants, safety devices, and controls integration.
• Drive development of scalable and reusable refrigeration solutions across multiple product lines.

Modeling, Analysis & Technology Development

• Direct the use of thermal analysis, simulation tools, and performance modeling to predict system behavior, reliability, and efficiency.
• Lead design optimization efforts utilizing both simulation data and empirical testing results.
• Support the evaluation and advancement of next-generation refrigeration technologies and innovation initiatives.

Product Development & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with mechanical, electrical, software, and controls engineering teams throughout the product development process.
• Collaborate with manufacturing and operations teams to ensure successful product launch and production readiness.
• Support products manufactured across multiple global sites.
• Contribute to long-term technology and component roadmap planning.

Requirements Management & Compliance

• Work closely with Product Management, Quality, Regulatory, and Controls Engineering teams to define and maintain system requirements.
• Ensure technical requirements remain traceable through verification and validation activities.
• Support compliance with relevant industry and product standards, including safety, environmental, energy-efficiency, and regulatory requirements.
• Drive consistency in specifications, validation protocols, and testing methodologies.

Team & Program Leadership

• Develop resource plans, budgets, and project schedules in partnership with engineering leadership and project managers.
• Manage the balance of internal resources, external engineering support, and contract partners.
• Mentor and develop engineering talent while building technical capabilities across the team.
• Promote a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Travel up to 10% domestically.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Strong academic foundation in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer preferred.
• Master's degree preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of engineering leadership experience within refrigeration, thermal systems, HVAC/R, or related technologies.
• 3+ years of hands-on experience designing vapor-compression refrigeration systems, preferably including cascade refrigeration applications.
• Experience with natural refrigerants and other environmentally sustainable, low-GWP refrigerants.
• Experience supporting products within regulated industries and compliance-driven environments.
• Experience with thermal modeling, simulation, and performance testing methodologies.
• Proven ability to leverage laboratory and field data to guide engineering decisions.
• Familiarity with automated testing systems, data acquisition platforms, and technical documentation practices.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or operational excellence methodologies.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Strong expertise in vapor-compression and cascade refrigeration systems.
• Advanced understanding of thermal modeling, analysis, and system optimization.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and root cause investigation skills.
• Proficiency with engineering calculation tools, thermal simulation software, and standard business applications.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and communication capabilities.
• Effective organizational and project management skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and engineering excellence.