Application Engineer

About the Role

Seeking a driven and motivated engineer to join our engineering team focusing on application engineering for our diverse line of HVAC equipment. Application Engineers should be comfortable working in a result-driven, fast-paced environment. As an Application Engineer at CaptiveAire, you will play a key role in shaping, advancing, and supporting innovative HVAC solutions for a wide range of real-world applications.

CaptiveAire is the nation’s leading manufacturer of commercial kitchen ventilation systems and offers a complete solution of fans, heaters, ductwork, and HVAC equipment. Our primary purpose is to provide fully integrated, sustainable HVAC systems. With over 40 years in the industry, we lead with innovative technologies, unmatched service, competitive pricing, and rapid lead times.

Our mission is to provide the highest quality products and service to our users at the lowest possible price. We are strongly committed to the development of our employees, including continuous education opportunities such as sponsorship for Professional Engineering licenses and ongoing learning through weekly webinars and company-developed technical videos.

Employee Testimonials

• I love the mindset of continuous learning and pushing the bounds of your capabilities and knowledge.
• I love the people I work with and the environment, particularly in a world where remote work is common.
• CaptiveAire is all about connections—with customers, coworkers, end users, and everyone in between.
• The company truly has an owner and leadership team that cares for the employees. Each employee is more than a number; they are a valued member of a growing and diverse team.
• The open-door policy means leadership is open to hearing your comments and concerns, ensuring your ideas are heard.
• Not once have I felt like anything less than an asset to this company and a valued member of the team.
• We stay on the cutting edge by constantly sourcing and utilizing the best equipment available.
• Any position can provide feedback that is listened to and incorporated into processes.
• Collaboration is key; there is no being “silo-ed” into one area.
• CaptiveAire is fast-moving and no-nonsense, operating with a decentralized structure where quick action is taken when a good idea is presented.
• We are focused on end users, actively changing the landscape of the HVAC industry.

A Day in the Life

An Application Engineer role encompasses a wide variety of tasks where one day does not look exactly like the next. Typical tasks include:

• Exploring different applications and equipment types to help sales engineers meet the requirements of various projects and designs.
• Conducting design reviews, providing answers to product/application-related questions, and researching new and complex applications.
• Developing training for the internal sales engineering team.
• Collaborating with sales, R&D, and service teams to ensure high-quality outcomes for all projects.

From an Application Engineer: "I enjoy that it's usually something new every day. Although we work on similar applications, they are never exactly the same. This gives the opportunity to find better ways to approach a problem, dive deep into standards and best practices, and learn something new from the involved parties. It's always a great feeling when something I've helped with turns out well for the sales office and end user."

Responsibilities

• Work with internal sales staff and the Engineering team to design sustainable mechanical ventilation and control strategies for a wide variety of commercial applications.
• Provide a comprehensive final review of critical projects to ensure accuracy, quality, and alignment with CaptiveAire design standards.
• Work directly with sales engineers to deliver real-time technical guidance and resolve design questions efficiently.
• Research unique or emerging applications and develop training resources (such as webinars, support pages, and design tools) to help sales staff confidently present and sell equipment for these applications.
• Review and analyze remote monitoring data.

Requirements

• BS in Engineering—mechanical or electrical preferred.
• 0-5 years of engineering experience.
• Knowledge of HVAC/ventilation systems preferred.
• Ability to manipulate data to derive trends and useful facts using Excel or similar software.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to discuss complex mechanical equipment and controls with a wide range of audiences, from highly technical engineers to non-technical owners.
• Must be a self-starter, able to handle long-term tasks with little guidance.

This is not a remote role.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Disability and life insurance based upon election of medical insurance.
• 401k with employer match.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid time off (PTO) based upon tenure.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Tuition reimbursement, including for Professional Engineering (PE) License.
• Relocation assistance.

Pay

$65k-$90k base, negotiable dependent on experience, with additional monthly bonus based on productivity and profits.