Lead Product Design Engineer

Trane Technologies is hiring a Lead Product Design Engineer to lead HVAC refrigeration system product design development for water-to-water heating and cooling applications within Trane Commercial Systems. The role partners across engineering teams to deliver performance, compliance, quality, reliability, cost, and stage gate development outcomes.

Role Overview

You will lead the technical design development of HVAC refrigeration systems to support water-to-water HVAC product lines, including both heating and cooling functionalities. Work includes close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams to ensure engineering deliverables meet performance targets and required compliance and quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of HVAC refrigeration systems to satisfy performance, regulatory, quality, and cost requirements.
• Evaluate the technical feasibility of product and internal requirements, driving the design and selection of robust, cost-effective components while producing clear engineering specifications.
• Set the technical strategy for compliance and serve as a subject matter expert on regulatory codes, including ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, UL, CRN, and Seismic certifications (IBC/OSHPD). Apply applicable regulatory codes and standards such as UL, CRN, Seismic (IBC/OSHPD), and ASME requirements.
• Create, review, and maintain an engineering documentation package, including technical reports, lab test results, drawings, and specifications, ensuring design intent is accurately represented and required documents are completed on time for internal customers.
• Lead component- and system-level Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEA), and execute associated risk mitigation plans to fully close technical knowledge gaps, structural and thermal risks, and laboratory failures through FRACAS/8D actions to prevent quality escapes.
• Support internal and external customer needs by documenting, understanding, and prioritizing customer requirements.
• Act as primary engineering subject matter expert for advanced design challenges, assessing product appropriateness for applications and providing critical technical guidance to global technology centers.
• Lead and coordinate engineering work packages across cross-functional teams to meet system performance goals, long-term reliability expectations, product cost targets, and development schedule milestones.
• Provide technical influence and analysis for component- and system-level reference design strategy and execution alongside functional engineering and project teams.
• Evaluate complex, specialized, and advanced engineering problems independently with minimal supervision, serving as a subject matter expert on capabilities that improve existing systems and processes.
• Provide technical support and guidance to laboratory technicians, manufacturing engineering, suppliers, technical service, and operations.
• Mentor junior engineers through technical guidance, support for professional development, and encouragement of sound engineering judgment.
• Undertake overnight travel of less than 5%.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and at least 8+ years of engineering or product design experience.
• Ability to function as a core team member on cross-functional product engineering teams and deliver on select design elements for projects.
• Detailed understanding of HVAC system functions, including refrigeration, heat transfer, airflow, and ventilation.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC products, components, and systems, with a strength in chilled and hot water heating systems.
• Excellent technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to understand and organize information needed to make engineering decisions quickly and efficiently.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively across the organization.
• Ability to deliver and lead technical designs that meet project and product requirements.
• Self-motivated and disciplined, with the ability to collaborate with and influence others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineering license (beneficial but not essential).
• Background in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience with UL, CRN, Seismic (IBC/OSHPD), and ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC).
• Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD).
• Experience with FEA, structural analysis, and related engineering evaluation methods.
• Good understanding of the application of computer simulation tools and theory to HVAC system design.

Technologies and Standards

• ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC)
• UL
• CRN
• Seismic certifications (IBC/OSHPD)
• Design Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (DFMEA)
• FRACAS
• 8D
• Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Computer Aided Design (CAD)
• FEA

Location and Work Schedule

La Crosse, WI (onsite). Monday to Thursday: work onsite with colleagues. Fridays: choose your work location to balance what your work requires.

Compensation

Annual base salary range: USD 123,721 - 173,004 per year. Compensation type: Salary. Incentive eligible: Yes. Sales commission eligible: No.

Benefits

• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs with generous incentives.
• Family building benefits including fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• Paid time off includes up to 15 vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
• 401K match.
• Educational and training opportunities through company programs, along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Safety Screening

This is not a safety sensitive role. Safety Sensitive roles may require additional drug screening.

Disclaimer

Trane Technologies strives to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to factors such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Actual compensation depends on these factors. Compensation ranges are generally based on the national average. Benefits may vary depending on region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.