Position : HVAC & Thermal Lead Engineer– BESS Cooling Systems
Department: Engineering /R&D
Location: Bangalore
Experience: 5–8 Years
Reporting To: Manager
The HVAC & Thermal Engineering will be responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and optimization of thermal management systems for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). The role requires ownership of HVAC, liquid cooling, thermal performance, and environmental control solutions for battery containers and cabinets while coordinating with cross-functional engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead HVAC and thermal management system design for BESS containers and battery enclosures.
- Own heat load calculations, cooling system sizing, airflow management, and thermal performance optimization.
- Lead the design and validation of air-cooled and liquid-cooled battery thermal management systems.
- Review and approve thermal analysis reports, CFD simulations, engineering calculations, and design documentation.
- Drive coolant circuit design, piping layouts, pressure testing, leak detection, and reliability improvements.
- Lead fire protection system integration and environmental control strategies.
- Coordinate with Electrical, BMS, PCS, EMS, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams for product development.
- Support product qualification, FAT, site commissioning, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis.
- Manage technical discussions with customers, consultants, certification agencies, and suppliers.
- Ensure compliance with applicable standards including ASHRAE, NFPA, IEC, UL, and project-specific requirements.
- Mentor and guide junior engineers while driving engineering best practices and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support product roadmaps, technology evaluation, and new product development activities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- Master's Degree in Thermal Engineering / HVAC (preferred).
- 5–6 years of experience in HVAC, thermal systems, cooling technologies, or environmental control systems.
- Experience in leading engineering activities and cross-functional coordination.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of HVAC system design, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and thermal management.
- Expertise in heat load calculations, psychrometrics, airflow management, and cooling system sizing.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and Creo 3D modelling.
- Experience with CFD and thermal simulation tools such as Ansys, Icepak, 6Sigma, or equivalent.
- Knowledge of liquid cooling systems, coolant selection, pumps, heat exchangers, and piping design.
- Familiarity with BMS interfaces and communication protocols including Modbus TCP/IP and Modbus RTU.
- Understanding of HVAC controls, sensors, and environmental monitoring systems.
- Working knowledge of ASHRAE, NFPA 855, UL 9540A, IEC, and related industry standards.
Relevant Experience
- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
- Data Center Cooling Systems.
- Precision Air Conditioning (PAC/CRAC) Systems.
- Electrical Room and UPS Cooling Systems.
- Industrial HVAC Applications.
- Liquid Cooling and Thermal Management Systems.
- Renewable Energy and Critical Infrastructure Projects.
Leadership & Soft Skills
- Strong technical leadership and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to lead design reviews and customer technical discussions.
- Effective project planning and execution capabilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience mentoring and developing engineering teams.
- Willingness to travel for customer meetings, commissioning support, troubleshooting, and technical reviews.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Thermal system performance compliance.
- Product reliability and cooling efficiency.
- On-time completion of engineering deliverables.
- Successful FAT, SAT, and commissioning support.
- Reduction in field thermal issues and warranty claims.
- Compliance with applicable standards and certification requirements.
- Team development and technical capability enhancement.
