Sr. Development Engineer - Data Center Chillers

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 Senior Development Engineer . The Senior Development Engineer will lead the development of next-generation commercial HVAC products for our data center customers. This role is ideal for engineers with experience in HVAC, refrigeration, thermal systems, or new product development who want technical ownership of complex commercial HVAC equipment from concept, design, validation, and certification through production launch.

As a Senior Development Engineer, you will serve as the technical lead for major systems and subsystems, working across Mechanical, Controls, Electrical, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. You will play a key role in advancing new technologies, improving product performance, and mentoring engineers while helping shape the future of commercial HVAC systems. Come be a part of an exciting journey at Daikin Applied, where innovation and excellence drive our every endeavor!

Location : Staunton, VA or Plymouth, MN – Hybrid

Your responsibilities:

Develop electro-mechanical products of significant complexity, supporting program quality, cost, and schedule

Develop test plans and perform testing of components, sub-systems, and total systems, supporting performance, reliability, and industry certification

Work cross-functionally with groups such as design, test, manufacturing, sales, 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

Have technical ownership of sub-system or system designs

Act as technical lead for programs

Drives innovation around tools and product design

Your Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

8+ years of relevant experience

Strong understanding of mechanical concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, structures, materials

Hands-on experience testing electro-mechanical equipment

Ability to problem solve within engineering and technical concepts

Able to effectively communicate technical information to an audience in a presentation setting

Capabilities with PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) tools

Knowledge of cross-functional groups such as Controls, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Design, Quality, etc.

Understanding of New Product Development processes

Knowledge of Lean principles

Ability to translate product requirements into engineering concepts

Knowledge of engineering tools and analysis methods such as DOE, DFMEA, DVP&R

Project Management capabilities; ability to estimate work tasks and support project planning activities

Knowledge of vapor compression cycle

Capabilities in modeling/simulation tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS, VapCyc, etc

Knowledge of systems engineering and architecture

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

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 contributions matching 100% of the first 3% of employee contributions and 50% on the next 2% of employee contributions

Company provided life insurance + optional employee-paid voluntary life insurance, dependent life coverage, and voluntary accident coverage

Short-term and long-term disability

3 weeks of paid time off for new employees + 11 company-paid holidays

Vacation accrues on a monthly basis, unless applicable federal, state, and local law requires a faster accrual

Paid sick time in accordance with the federal, state, and local law

Paid parental leave and 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 $90,400-188,700 + 10% bonus in Virginia and Minnesota. The range displayed represents the pay range for all positions in the job grade which this position falls. Individual base pay will depend on a wide range of factors including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

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Employment is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements, including verification of employment history, education, background screening, and drug testing where permitted by law. Safety-sensitive positions may require cannabis (marijuana) testing. All testing and employment decisions will comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

If you're looking for an engaging career with growth opportunities in a supportive environment, you'll love a career at Daikin Applied!