Job Title: Senior Manager Engineering Air Fin Coolers - AFC

Department: Engineering / Product Development

Reports to: General Manager / Head - Engineering

Location: Chennai

Experience Required: 12- 15 years in thermal/mechanical engineering with specialization in heat exchanger systems

Industry: HVAC, Process Equipment, Thermal Systems, Oil & Gas, Energy, Chemicals, or related fields

Job Summary:

The Senior Manager - Engineering Air Fin Coolers will be responsible for setting up the engineering team and lead them in engineering, development, and technical support for Plate & Frame Heat Exchangers. This role is responsible for managing the complete product lifecycle including design, development, customization, validation, and continuous improvement to meet customer and industry standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Product Engineering & Development

- Set up a team of engineers for AFC

- Lead them in the design and development of AFC for diverse industrial applications.

- Oversee thermal and mechanical design calculations, including pressure drop, thermal sizing, plate pattern selection, and material optimization.

- Ensure product compliance with international codes and standards such as ASME, TEMA, PED, CE, ISO, etc.

2. Project Engineering Execution

- Approve and review GA drawings, BOMs, and customer-specific technical documentation.

- Manage engineering deliverables for customer orders, tenders, and turnkey projects.

- Provide direction on configuration and customization of AFC for high-pressure, high-temperature, or corrosive applications.

3. R&D and Product Innovation

- Drive innovation in AFC technology - including winterization, reduction in power consumption and improved efficiency etc..

- Support the development of high-efficiency, compact, and energy-saving heat exchanger models.

- Collaborate with R&D and manufacturing to implement design improvements and new product introductions (NPIs).

4. Technical Governance & Compliance

- Ensure engineering practices follow QA/QC protocols and regulatory requirements.

- Lead or contribute to FMEA, DFMEA, risk assessments, and root cause analysis for product failures or field complaints.

- Maintain design documentation, test records, and design validation protocols.

5. Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Lead a multidisciplinary engineering team including thermal, mechanical, and CAD professionals.

- Collaborate with sales, proposals, production, sourcing, and quality teams to ensure seamless order execution.

- Mentor junior engineers and contribute to talent development and knowledge transfer.

6. Customer & Sales Support

- Provide technical support for sales/pre-sales teams including solution engineering and proposal reviews.

- Participate in customer discussions, design clarifications, and post-delivery support when needed.

Qualifications:

Education:

- B.E./B.Tech or M.E./M.Tech in Mechanical, Thermal, or Chemical Engineering (required)

Experience:

- 12- 15 years in the design and engineering of AFC

- Experience in leading engineering teams and managing high-value technical projects

Skills Required:

Technical:

- Proficiency in thermal design software (HTRI-AFC)

- Knowledge of CAD and 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Creo)

- Understanding of metallurgy, gasket materials, and corrosion mechanisms

- Familiarity with international standards and pressure vessel design principles

Managerial:

- Strong leadership and team management capabilities

- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills

- Effective communicator with cross-functional collaboration ability

Desirable:

- Exposure to global engineering practices or export project execution

- Certifications in Six Sigma, Lean Engineering, or Project Management (PMP) is an advantage