Lead Design Engineer

Our client, in Denver, CO , an established commercial equipment manufacturer, is seeking an experienced Lead Design Engineer with a strong background in HVAC, refrigeration, cooling systems, or temperature-controlled equipment design. This is a hands-on technical leadership role for an engineer who can lead product development while remaining actively involved in mechanical design, problem-solving, testing, and manufacturing support.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in HVAC/refrigeration engineering and mechanical product design. Direct experience with the company's specific equipment is not required; the organization is prepared to provide product-specific training to an engineer who brings the right technical foundation.
Key Responsibilities:
Lead mechanical design and development of new and existing commercial equipment
Apply HVAC, refrigeration, thermodynamics, and heat-transfer principles to product design
Develop mechanical designs, assemblies, layouts, and detailed engineering drawings
Remain hands-on with CAD and product design throughout the development process
Lead projects from concept and prototype through testing, manufacturing, and commercialization
Design and integrate mechanical, refrigeration, and electro-mechanical systems
Partner closely with manufacturing, operations, procurement, product management, and suppliers
Participate in design reviews and resolve technical challenges affecting product performance or manufacturability
Apply design-for-manufacturability principles, including sheet metal and production-focused design
Support product testing, validation, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis
Drive product reliability, cost reduction, and continuous improvement initiatives
Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across projects

Lead Design Engineer Background Profile:
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
7+ years of mechanical/product design engineering experience
Hands-on HVAC, refrigeration, cooling-system, or temperature-control equipment design experience
Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and refrigeration/HVAC principles
Experience designing engineered equipment or products for manufacturing
Strong CAD experience; SolidWorks strongly preferred
Experience taking products or equipment from design through prototype/testing and production
Manufacturing and design-for-manufacturability experience
Sheet metal design experience strongly preferred
Experience with electro-mechanical equipment and system integration
Experience with compressors, condensers, evaporators, heat exchangers, refrigerant circuits, fans/blowers, controls, or related HVAC/R components is highly desirable
Testing, validation, troubleshooting, and root-cause analysis experience
Familiarity with UL, CE, NSF, or similar product standards is beneficial
Ability to provide technical leadership while remaining hands-on with the engineering work