Test Lab Engineering Manager at Johnson Controls

What you will do

This position is responsible for managing the technical staff conducting testing operations at the JADEC facility. The operations consist of multiple test stands serving multiple JCI business units (Chillers, AHU, Marine/Navy). Test labs operate 3 shifts and employ 70+ operators, test engineers and technicians.

How you will do it

• Lead and manage lab engineering team to support the execution of all testing in the lab balancing the needs of the customers with the available resources

• Manage necessary operational metrics to assure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the operation

• Work with the test lab customers, that primarily consist of product development engineers, to achieve excellence in testing quality and on time delivery.

• Implementation and prioritization of operational improvement of testing for greatest impact relative to investment. Support achievement through continuous interaction of activities with the engineering team members

• Effectively use technical expertise with industrial chillers and hydronic systems to assist the test engineering team with solving complex issues and facilitate the sharing of knowledge across the team.

• Create and expend automation opportunities to increase overall utilization of facilities as well as efficiency of operations

• Drive, and participate with creation, of standard procedures, test standards and processes.

• Development of new procedures, processes, and resources as necessary to provide more efficient, accurate, or advanced testing services.

• Test lab team interacts with many other internal departments in the Chiller business. This position is responsible to ensure strong connection with the leaders of these other teams and assist in escalation of issues that threaten productivity or on-time completion of test tasks or product development activities. These departments primarily include:

  • Product Development Engineering Team(s)

  • Advanced Development & Technology Engineering Teams

  • Program/Project Management

  • JCFS Engineering Team(s)

• Support the planning and execution of chiller and component testing by ensuring the following actions are taken:

  • Participation in the development, receipt, and review test specifications from customer group; seek out and acquire needs from other areas/disciplines who may wish to benefit from testing a particular subject.

  • Use input from the customer group(s) to facilitate test plans and identify resource (human, physical) requirements.

  • Meet with product engineering, product management, product technical support or equivalent groups to agree upon and issue test plans.

  • Work within the test engineering team to schedule tests and required resources.

  • Provide oversight and input to test technicians for set up of data acquisition software configurations.

  • Work with labor, test support, and engineering resources to actively manage the test from set up to completion.  This includes daily monitoring and planning, communication, direct data acquisition, review data acquired, provide engineering analysis of data acquired, problem resolution, and other activities necessary in order to efficiently perform and complete testing in a timely fashion.

  • Maintain a proficiency in understanding chiller test data to guide the customer engineering teams as necessary to acceptance or assist in explanation of data results. 

What we look for

• BS required; MS preferred

• A minimum of eight (8) years’ experience managing HVAC/R equipment development, servicing or testing, with a high level of understanding of HVAC/R systems, concepts, and diagnostics.

• Candidate must be well organized and capable of managing numerous competing priorities

• Ability to work under minimal supervision and take ownership of assignments, which are carried out collaboratively within lab team and customer groups.

• Experience building and leading teams

• Excellent people management & communication skills with ability to develop and maintain professional relationships

• Strong organization and problem-solving experience

• Ability to guide or mentor less experienced technical personnel within team

• Strong group communication skills, presentation skills

• Excellent computer and data analysis/management skills with proficiency in Microsoft Suite Applications (Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint) as well as internet software and e-mail  

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