What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Engineering Technician position at AprilAire?
Under the direction of the Engineering Manager, the Senior Engineering Technician will support the design, development, testing, and commercialization of dehumidifier products. This role will lead and perform prototype development, refrigeration system development, product testing, troubleshooting, and engineering investigations while analyzing and reporting resulting information in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Set up equipment and build test fixtures with appropriate test rigor and safety considerations.
- Build, modify, and evaluate engineering prototypes and development units.
- Support engineers in the development, validation, and commercialization of dehumidifier products and product enhancements.
- Develop methods and test procedures for product performance, reliability, and validation activities.
- Conduct product performance, reliability, environmental, and competitive benchmarking testing according to established test procedures.
- Collect, analyze, and interpret test data and prepare technical reports.
- Build, modify, and evaluate sealed refrigeration systems for engineering development and testing, including brazing, copper tubing fabrication, leak testing, evacuation, refrigerant charging, and refrigerant recovery activities.
- Install and evaluate compressors, evaporators, condensers, capillary tubes, and other refrigeration system components.
- Support refrigeration system optimization activities related to product performance, efficiency, reliability, and cost.
- Conduct refrigeration system diagnostics and troubleshooting activities.
- Conduct competitive product evaluations, including performance benchmarking, product teardowns, and design comparisons.
- Support engineering, pilot, and pre-production builds, including troubleshooting assembly issues, implementing design changes, and evaluating manufacturability.
- Participate in cross-functional teams to ensure the continuous improvement of processes, methods, productivity, quality, and cost.
- Follow and comply with all safety and work rules and regulations. Maintain departmental Lean 5S standards.
- Associate degree required or 5 years of highly relevant experience.
- Experience working independently and completing tasks with minimal supervision.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team environment, building positive relationships, and supporting team goals.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in an engineering lab, HVAC/R, refrigeration, product development, or technician role.
- Hands-on experience with refrigeration systems and mechanical product development.
- Experience building and modifying engineering prototypes.
- Experience troubleshooting mechanical, refrigeration, and electromechanical systems, including refrigerant recovery, evacuation, charging, leak detection, and sealed system modifications.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills. Experience with Six Sigma testing approaches—like Design of Experiments and Components of Variation—is a strong plus.
- Hand and power tool experience.
- Fluent in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated initiative and ability to complete projects, document work, and communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, specifications, and test procedures.
- Ability to learn and perform standard product tests according to written procedures.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply computers and related software to the solution of engineering and testing problems.
(Desired):
- EPA 608 Certification.
- LabView
- Psychrometric chamber testing.
- Data acquisition systems and laboratory instrumentation.