Staff Design Engineer

Join the world's largest HVAC company, named by Forbes as one of America's Best-In-State Employers 2025! Daikin Applied is seeking a Staff Development Engineer. The Staff Development Engineer will lead the development of primary systems and sub-systems of commercial HVAC equipment. The candidate will collaborate with cross-functional team members, driving towards releasing innovative HVAC products. The candidate must have good communication skills and work well in a group setting. This candidate will provide technical guidance to more junior team members. Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor! Location: Plymouth, MN or Staunton, VA – Hybrid Your Responsibilities: Develop electro-mechanical products of significant complexity, supporting program quality, cost, and schedule. Utilize model-based design to drive concept selection through trade-space analysis, predict performance and rating metrics, and enable virtual validation. Create and execute design validation plans of components, sub-systems, and total systems, supporting performance, reliability, and industry certification. Establish feedback loops between physical testing and model refinement to improve accuracy and confidence in early design decisions. Lead cross-functionally with groups such as design, test, manufacturing, sales, service, and supply chain to ensure product design meets business needs. Drive the execution of the new product development phase-gate process, demonstrating appropriate design maturity and growth across various milestones. Keep current on product and component technology improvements and industry trends to effectively perform position functions. Investigate engineering/manufacturing issues related to the assembly of the new product design and take corrective action to prevent the recurrence of problems. Your Qualifications: Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Engineering 7+ years of related experience Understanding of concepts such as thermodynamics, vapor compression cycle, fluid mechanics, structures, materials Hands-on experience testing electro-mechanical equipment Knowledge of systems engineering and architecture Ability to translate product requirements into engineering concepts Ability to effectively communicate and present technical risks to an audience of business leaders Capabilities with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools Knowledge of cross-functional groups such as Controls, EE, Mfg, Supply Chain, Design, Quality, etc. Knowledge of engineering tools and analysis methods such as DOE, DFMEA, DVP&R Capabilities in modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, VapCyc, etc. Ability to create a work breakdown structure, estimate work task effort, and support project planning activities Understanding of New Product Development processes Knowledge of Lean Principles Drives innovation around tools and product design Ability to problem-solve within engineering and technical concepts Preferred Qualifications: Master’s degree in Engineering HVAC industry experience Your Benefits: Daikin Applied offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements: Multiple medical insurance plan options + dental and vision insurance 401K retirement plan with employer match Paid time off and company-paid holidays Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state and local law Tuition Reimbursement after 6 months of continuous service Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position The typical annual base salary for this position ranges from $109,100 - $188,700 +15% annual bonus in Minnesota and Virginia. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade in which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location. #LI-NA1 If you're looking for an engaging career with growth opportunities in a supportive environment, you'll love a career at Daikin Applied! Building a more sustainable planet. Creating comfortable, healthy spaces for people to connect, live and work. Perfecting the air we share. Daikin Applied is not just an HVAC company. We're part of a global technology powerhouse that uses Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) to transform the world. We're innovators and leaders. Not only as a business, but as individuals. And we are honored to say we were named to Forbes' America's Best-In-State Employers list for 2025, ranking #1 in Minnesota for Manufacturing and Engineering. You see, we're not just innovating on the outside. We're innovating on the inside to unlock people's unlimited potential and bring out the diverse and groundbreaking ideas that will help us solve today's most pressing challenges. That's why Daikin offers more than a job. Here's where you'll be heard, be valued, belong -- and be able to make your mark. Over the past several years, we’ve proudly welcomed several organizations into our family, each bringing unique strengths, deep expertise, and talented teams. As we continue to grow, these partners play a vital role in expanding our capabilities and shaping the future of our organization. Whichever Daikin Applied company you join, you’ll be part of a unified, supportive environment where you can make an impact and grow your career. Not finding the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking 'Sign In' at the top of the page and creating an account to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest!