Engineering Lead - AC

Duties and Responsibilities:
Lead detailed engineering site surveys for commercial, industrial, and residential projects to evaluate structural, electrical, and environmental constraints.
Perform and verify precise cooling load calculations (using manual formulas or specialized software like ACCA Manual J/N or Carrier HAP) to ensure optimal equipment sizing.
Draft, review, and approve mechanical engineering drawings, ductwork layouts, piping schematics, and ventilation designs prior to procurement.
Collaborate with the estimating and sales teams to review Request for Proposals (RFPs), prepare technical bills of quantities (BOQ), and calculate labor and material costs.
Select appropriate systems (e.g., VRF, Chillers, Direct Expansion, Air Handling Units) based on energy efficiency metrics, client budgets, and architectural constraints.
Project Execution, Commissioning & Handover:
Develop critical-path project schedules using tools like MS Project or Primavera, defining clear dependencies, procurement leads, and construction milestones.
Supervise the physical installation of indoor and outdoor cooling units, structural mounts, refrigerant lines, insulation, drainage, and electrical controls.
Personally lead and document rigorous pre-commissioning checks, including nitrogen pressure testing, deep vacuum holds, and electrical phase balancing.
Measure and adjust system parameters (airflow CFM, static pressures, superheat, subcooling, and amperage draws) to achieve manufacturer-rated performance.
Client Handover: Manage formal project closeout procedures, leading client walkthroughs, conducting basic system orientation for facility managers, and handing over Operation & Maintenance (O&M) manuals.
Operations, Preventive Maintenance & Service Base Optimization:
Oversee scheduled preventive maintenance contracts (PPM) for Arel Limited’s corporate client base, ensuring regular filter cleaning, coil washing, and system diagnostics are executed.
Serve as the ultimate technical escalation point for persistent or complex system failures, using advanced diagnostic tools to resolve issues that stymied field technicians.
Monitor the health, age, and operational efficiency of the existing asset base to proactively recommend component overhauls, refrigerant conversions, or complete system replacements.
Forecast and maintain an optimized inventory of critical replacement parts (e.g., compressors, fan motors, control boards, specialized refrigerants) to minimize client downtime.
Team Leadership, Mentorship & Resource Allocation:
Coordinate and assign daily schedules for HVAC technicians, project engineers, and sub-contractors to maximize field productivity and minimize travel idle time.
Design and deliver technical training workshops focusing on modern HVAC technologies, inverter diagnostics, safe refrigerant handling, and diagnostic tools.
Conduct structured performance reviews for direct reports, identifying skills gaps, tracking utilization rates, and setting individual performance metrics.
Foster a collaborative, disciplined team environment, addressing grievance issues, resolving field disputes, and mentoring junior engineers into leadership paths.
Safety, Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance:
Conduct mandatory Job Safety Analyses (JSA) prior to initiating high-risk field activities (e.g., working at heights, crane rigging, electrical hot-work).
Mandate and verify that all field teams strictly adhere to the OSH Act, NEPA refrigerant recovery protocols, local building codes, and factory warranty standards.
Lead root-cause investigations for any near-misses, field accidents, or equipment damage, drafting immediate corrective and preventive action (CAPA) reports.
Perform unannounced field quality inspections to ensure aesthetic and technical quality criteria (e.g., straight trunking, clean soldering, appropriate insulation wrap) match Arel's standards.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, or a closely related technical field.
Experience: 5–7 years of progressive experience in HVAC design, installation, and project execution.
Leadership: Minimum 2–3 years in a team lead, supervisor, or senior project engineering capacity.
Professional Affiliation: Registration with the Jamaica Institution of Engineers (JIE) or immediate eligibility for registration.
Certifications: PMP (Project Management Professional) or advanced technical HVAC/Energy Management certifications are highly preferred.

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No