SK Enmove Americas Inc. - HVAC Technical Manager / Specialist

Job Summary

This position reports directly to the Technical Director, HVAC Business, Americas and serves as a key technical leader supporting the commercialization and growth of SK Enmove's next-generation refrigerant business across North America.

The primary role of the HVAC Technical Manager / Technical Specialist is to bridge complex customer needs with innovative refrigerant solutions, helping establish SK's next-generation refrigerant blends as the industry standard across stationary air-conditioning, mobile air-conditioning, heat pump, and data center cooling applications.

This position provides technical leadership throughout the business development process by evaluating application feasibility, supporting OEM customers, collaborating with global R&D and commercial teams, and representing SK Enmove at key industry organizations including ASHRAE, AHRI, SAE, and ICCC. The successful candidate will combine strong engineering expertise with customer-facing technical support to accelerate commercialization and market adoption of environmentally sustainable refrigerant technologies.

This is a fully on-site position based in Houston, TX. Physical presence in the office is an essential function of this role. Remote work or hybrid arrangements are not available for this position.

Essential Functions

• Provide technical leadership and early-stage engineering support for new business opportunities involving next-generation refrigerant technologies.
• Evaluate technical feasibility of customer applications and develop compelling technical value propositions that align with customer needs and business objectives.
• Serve as the primary technical interface for OEM customers by providing timely technical support, application guidance, product recommendations, and issue resolution.
• Build and maintain strong technical relationships with OEMs, engineering teams, component suppliers, laboratories, and other industry stakeholders.
• Perform HVACR system simulations using engineering software (GT-SUITE, AMESim, or equivalent) to evaluate system performance, optimize refrigerant applications, and support product commercialization.
• Collaborate closely with global R&D, engineering, regulatory, and commercial teams to accelerate development and market introduction of new refrigerant solutions.
• Coordinate physical and chemical testing through internal R&D organizations and third-party laboratories to validate refrigerant performance and application requirements.
• Utilize AI-enabled engineering tools and emerging digital technologies to improve refrigerant development, system analysis, and engineering productivity.
• Monitor competitive technologies, market trends, regulatory developments, and customer requirements to identify new business opportunities.
• Represent SK Enmove within technical committees and industry organizations such as ASHRAE, AHRI, SAE, and ICCC by participating in working groups, presenting technical findings, and promoting SK's technical capabilities and refrigerant technologies.
• Support customers in understanding regulatory developments related to refrigerants, including F-Gas regulations, environmental requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations for customers, industry conferences, technical committees, and internal business meetings.
• Manage multiple technical projects simultaneously while effectively balancing customer priorities, business objectives, and project deadlines.
• Support product commercialization from concept through customer qualification and market launch.
• Work effectively both independently and within global cross-functional teams.
• Maintain proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, engineering software, and technical reporting tools.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of HVACR systems, refrigeration cycles, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and refrigerant technologies.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both engineering and commercial audiences.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and public speaking skills.
• Ability to build long-term customer relationships through technical credibility and responsive support.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple concurrent assignments.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently while collaborating across global teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and engineering analysis tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical discipline required.
• Master's degree or Ph.D. is preferred.
• Approximately 5–10 years of progressive experience in HVACR systems, refrigerants, application engineering, thermal management, or related engineering fields.
• Experience supporting OEM customers, application engineering, or technical business development is strongly preferred.
• Experience using HVACR simulation software such as GT-SUITE, AMESim, or similar engineering tools.
• Experience utilizing AI tools or digital engineering technologies for HVACR or refrigerant applications is preferred.
• Experience participating in industry organizations or technical committees such as ASHRAE, AHRI, SAE, or ICCC is preferred.
• Working knowledge of refrigerant regulations, including F-Gas and other global environmental regulations affecting HVACR applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated technical presentation experience.
• Final job title and level will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

Work Authorization:

Candidates for regular U.S. positions must be a U.S. citizen or national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255(a)(1). Individuals with temporary visas (such as E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, or TN) or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future are not eligible for hire.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

SK Enmove Americas Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, childbirth, physical disability, mental disability, age, military status or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, gender (including sex stereotyping and gender identity or expression), medical condition (including, but not limited to, cancer-related or HIV/AIDS-related), genetic information, or sexual orientation in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

ADA & Accommodation Notice

This is a fully on-site role. Physical presence in the Houston office is an essential function of this position. Due to the nature of the duties, on-site attendance is required and remote work or hybrid arrangements are not available for this role.