Lead Refrigeration Systems Engineer

Trane Commercial Systems is seeking a Lead Refrigeration Systems Engineer onsite in La Crosse, WI to oversee equipment design and component integration for Trane Commercial Water-to-Water product lines. The role combines system performance modeling, design leadership, validation execution, and cross-team collaboration to drive quality and reliability outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and innovate HVAC refrigeration systems to meet performance standards, sustainability targets, regulatory requirements, quality goals, and cost targets.
• Lead major system development projects aligned with the company gate review process, including planning and coordinating engineering assignments, creating schedules, reporting status to leadership, and driving milestone completion.
• Develop and execute computer models to simulate and predict unit performance.
• Use modeling tools and techniques to analyze system issues and support root cause identification.
• Collaborate with modeling and simulation specialists, as needed, to develop new tools.
• Lead design reviews using processes including FMEA, DFMEA, DVP&R, and Risk Analysis.
• Create mechanical designs for systems and subsystems based on chiller and heat pump architecture, ensuring agency, code, structural, and serviceability requirements are met.
• Incorporate Design For Manufacturing (DFM) features to support efficient factory build execution.
• Develop laboratory test plans, conduct testing, analyze test data, and interpret results to execute design updates. Apply Six Sigma tools, statistical analysis techniques, and Design for Reliability principles.
• Evaluate complex advanced engineering tasks independently as an expert with minimal supervision.
• Act as a subject matter expert to improve existing systems and engineering processes.
• Partner with product teams to achieve shared objectives and provide technical guidance and leadership to less experienced professionals or technicians.
• Develop and document HVAC system level modes, sequence of operations, and system level control requirements.
• Provide technical support in pursuit of Trane business, including participation on strategic job acquisition teams.
• Develop and/or update Trane purchased part Engineering Specifications.
• Support field and factory system problem resolution, define qualification testing activities, and guide appropriate component choices using industry best practices.
• Drive short term resiliency challenges aimed at reducing product portfolio risk.
• Meet internal and external customer needs by documenting, reviewing, and prioritizing customer requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (or a directly related discipline) and 10+ years of engineering work experience.
• Mechanical Engineering is preferred.
• HVAC engineering background in chilled and heating water systems.
• Experience with product design, bill of materials, engineering specifications, and product manufacturing.
• Understanding of HVAC system functions including refrigeration, heat transfer, airflow, and ventilation.
• Experience with key HVAC components such as coils, compressors, motors, and fans.
• Experience launching products meeting UL, CSA, or CE agency standards.
• Understanding of statistics as applied to product reliability.
• Ability to apply heat transfer and fluid flow concepts to real-world problem solving.
• Skills in efficiently understanding, condensing, and organizing technical information to support engineering decisions, with experience being coached and mentored by Senior employees.
• Technically creative while maintaining real-world feasibility; ability to perform thorough and objective analysis.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, influence others, and transfer knowledge across groups.
• Professional demeanor when interacting with customers and engagement with professional societies.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate supplier capabilities.
• Good verbal communication and technical writing/documentation skills.
• Self-starter with a high commitment to career development and willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Good stand-up skills in front of customers and the field sales force.
• Design or application experience with HVAC products, thermodynamic computations, pressure vessel design, compressor, motor, controls, or heat transfer technologies and understanding of Data & Analytics; programming knowledge is a plus.

Compensation and Work Location

Location: La Crosse, WI (onsite)

Annual Base Salary Range: USD 123,721 - 173,004 per yearly

Compensation Type: Salary

Incentive Eligible: Yes

Sales Commission Eligible: No

Schedule and Travel

• Monday to Thursday: Work onsite with colleagues.
• Friday: Choose work location, balancing what the role requires.

• Travel Requirements: Ability to travel domestically and abroad up to two weeks at a time; expected travel time approximately 10%.
• Ability to attain necessary visas for travel when applicable.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

This role interacts with multiple engineering functions to support product design and integration, including Compressor Engineering, Thermal Systems, Controls, Electrical, and Manufacturing.

• Collaborate closely with Chiller Engineering teams in La Crosse, WI and Pueblo, CO.
• Work with support organizations located in Shanghai, China and Bangalore, India.

Benefits

• Health insurance and holistic wellness programs
• Fertility coverage
• Adoption/surrogacy assistance
• Paid time off (up to 15 vacation days)
• Paid holidays
• Sick leave
• Additional options to support volunteer and parental leave
• 401K match
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs
• Tuition assistance
• Student debt support
• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family

Safety Screening

• Safety Sensitive Role: No
• Note: Safety Sensitive roles may require additional drug screening.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (or a directly related discipline).