HVAC Thermal Lead Engineer - Battery Energy Storage System Cooling

Overview

Join a renowned real estate company in Bangalore as the HVAC Thermal Lead Engineer focused on Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) cooling solutions. This role centers on leading the design, development, validation, and improvement of thermal management and HVAC systems tailored for battery containers and enclosures within BESS applications. The position demands collaborative coordination with diverse engineering teams spanning electrical, mechanical, and manufacturing disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct design and engineering of HVAC and thermal management systems for BESS containers and battery enclosures.
• Calculate heat loads, determine cooling system dimensions, optimize airflow, and enhance thermal performance.
• Lead development and validation of both air-cooled and liquid-cooled battery thermal management solutions.
• Review and authorize thermal simulation results, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses, engineering calculations, and related design documents.
• Oversee coolant loop architecture, piping design, pressure testing, and leak detection while improving system reliability.
• Manage fire protection integration and environmental control strategy implementation.
• Liaise with Electrical, Battery Management System (BMS), Power Conversion System (PCS), Energy Management System (EMS), Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams for seamless product progression.
• Support product qualification, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), site commissioning, troubleshooting, and root cause investigations.
• Engage in technical communication with customers, consultants, certification bodies, and suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as ASHRAE, NFPA 855, UL, IEC, and specific project requirements.
• Mentor junior engineers and advocate for engineering best practices and ongoing improvements.
• Contribute to product roadmap planning, technology assessments, and novel product development initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering is required; Master’s in Thermal Engineering or HVAC preferred.
• 5 to 8 years of relevant experience in HVAC, thermal management, cooling technologies, or environmental control systems.
• Proven leadership in engineering projects and cross-department coordination.

Technical Expertise

• Solid understanding of HVAC system design, heat transfer principles, thermodynamics, and thermal management.
• Experienced in heat load calculation, airflow management, and cooling system design.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and Creo 3D CAD software.
• Familiar with CFD and thermal simulation tools such as Ansys, Icepak, or 6Sigma.
• Knowledgeable about liquid cooling system components including coolant types, pumps, heat exchangers, and piping layouts.
• Understanding of BMS interfaces and protocols like Modbus TCP/IP and Modbus RTU.
• Familiarity with HVAC controls, sensors, and environmental monitoring equipment.
• Well-versed in regulatory standards like ASHRAE, NFPA 855, UL 9540A, IEC, and other applicable guidelines.

Relevant Industry Experience

• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Data center cooling and precision air conditioning systems
• Electrical room and UPS cooling system design
• Industrial HVAC and liquid cooling solutions
• Renewable energy projects and critical infrastructure cooling

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

• Strong technical leadership and analytical problem-solving capabilities
• Skilled in conducting design reviews and managing customer interactions
• Competent in project management and on-time execution
• Excellent communication and stakeholder relationship management
• Experience mentoring engineering teams and fostering talent growth
• Willing to travel for customer engagement, commissioning, troubleshooting, and technical meetings

Performance Metrics

• Achievement of thermal system design compliance and performance standards
• Ensuring product reliability and effective cooling efficiency
• Timely delivery of engineering outputs and documentation
• Successful Factory and Site Acceptance Testing as well as commissioning support
• Minimizing in-field thermal system issues and warranty claims
• Maintaining adherence to industry and project standards
• Advancing team technical skills and overall capability