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.