HVAC Engineer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for an HVAC engineer job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of an HVAC engineer. Feel free to use our HVAC engineer job description template to produce your own HVAC engineer job description. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as an HVAC engineer.
Who is an HVAC Engineer?
An HVAC engineer is a mechanical engineer who creates heating, cooling, and ventilation systems for structures like homes, offices, and educational facilities. HVAC engineers frequently have prior experience in electrical and plumbing systems, which aids in their comprehension of climate control systems. They can compute heat load and loss because they are aware of how air moves through various buildings. They cooperate with other construction experts and adhere to regional, national, and international laws and building codes.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are designed, installed, and maintained by HVAC experts. They work with a variety of clientele, including small businesses and private individuals.
HVAC engineers need to be knowledgeable about HVAC design and construction principles. They also need to understand how these systems work with the architecture of buildings and other pieces of machinery. Physics, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering fundamentals must all be understood to accomplish this.
Designing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling (HVAC) systems and refrigeration systems is your responsibility as an HVAC engineer. Your major responsibility will be designing these systems, though your company may also assign you installation, maintenance, and repair tasks. Both residential and commercial clients must be consulted to ascertain their demands before you can provide them with an estimate. From there, you either design a new HVAC system or come up with fixes for the current one. To make sure your designs are within the parameters of the project budget and satisfy the needs of your clients, you could work with other engineers as well as installers, repair professionals, and managers.
HVAC Engineer Job Description
What is an HVAC engineer job description? An HVAC engineer job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of an HVAC engineer in an organization. Below are the HVAC engineer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write an HVAC engineer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of an HVAC engineer include the following;
- Research emerging technology to create effective designs for new HVAC systems.
- Provide technical assistance to other engineers inside an organization regarding HVAC system-related tasks or problems.
- Examine architectural drawings to ascertain the quantity of HVAC units necessary for each room or floor.
- Assess client needs and recommend suitable solutions.
- Find the ideal spot in a structure to install the HVAC equipment.
- Coordinate with contractors to make that new installations adhere to building requirements and are finished on schedule.
- Collaborate with contractors to make sure that the current HVAC systems are functioning appropriately.
- Inspect machinery such as chillers, boilers, air handlers, and refrigeration machinery.
- Install all HVAC systems, manage all-metal duct parts, provide solutions for all emergency alarm systems, and repair all ventilation and air conditioning devices.
- Monitor all maintenance tasks for various technicians, operate various centrifugal chillers, install and maintain dehumidification systems, and manage all data center applications.
- Install, upkeep, and equipment maintenance for ventilation and air conditioning systems.
- Identify equipment maintenance concerns.
- Spot mechanical and electrical issues in HVAC systems.
- System maintenance tasks like cleaning, adjusting, and repairs, as well as warranty work.
- Complete urgent repairs quickly and effectively.
- Give technical guidance and on-the-job instruction.
- Log and record all maintenance activities daily.
- Ensure adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and appliance standards.
- Obey client needs, work directions, and service standards.
- Help clients with their inquiries.
Qualifications
- GED, a high school diploma, or an appropriate equivalent.
- At least one year of experience and willingness to pursue further education in the sector and a current driver’s license.
- Understanding of contemporary heating, cooling, and refrigeration principles.
- Ability to balance water and air treatment systems according to HVAC guidelines.
- Outstanding verbal, writing, and interpersonal abilities.
- Ability to understand work plans and diagrams with ease.
- Having the flexibility to work on holidays, weekends, and after hours with little or no warning.
- Capacity to operate in small spaces.
Essential Skills
- System Design: System design is the procedure an HVAC engineer does to develop a system that satisfies the requirements of their client. This involves choosing the right heating and cooling system, installing it correctly, and positioning it concerning the rest of the structure. You can help your clients establish more effective systems by developing strong system design skills.
- Problem-solving: This is the ability to identify problems and find solutions. When figuring out how to increase efficiency or cut back on energy use or diagnose equipment issues, HVAC experts apply problem-solving techniques. This entails locating the cause of a problem, looking up remedies, then putting those answers into practice.
- Construction Plans: The design of a structure is depicted visually in construction drawings. HVAC engineers must have great drawing abilities since they use construction drawings to plan and carry out their projects. The size and design of rooms, the location of electrical connections, and instructions for installing ducting are all included in the construction drawings.
- HVAC systems: HVAC engineers must be knowledgeable about HVAC systems. This involves being aware of how these systems function, the technology they require, and the numerous parts that make up an HVAC system. Having this knowledge can assist you in designing more efficient HVAC systems and in troubleshooting any problems that might occur with existing systems.
- Analytical Capabilities: Analytical abilities are used by HVAC engineers to solve issues and make choices. To find the finest solutions for clients, they evaluate test data, equipment, and consumer feedback. You can grow in your job by demonstrating your capacity to analyze problems and find solutions. When developing new systems or fixing current ones, you might also need to examine sophisticated technical data.
- Thermodynamics: The study of heat and its relationship to energy is known as thermodynamics. When creating, putting in place, and maintaining heating and cooling systems, HVAC experts use thermodynamics. Your engineering abilities can be enhanced by having a better understanding of how various components interact. Additionally, you might be required to educate clients or coworkers on intricate thermodynamics-related ideas.
- Leadership: Because HVAC engineers frequently manage groups of technicians and other staff members, strong leadership abilities are essential. They may set goals, inspire teamwork, and motivate their team members with the aid of good leadership skills. Additionally, it enables them to offer to coach when necessary and provide feedback on employee performance.
- Load Calculations: HVAC engineers determine the required equipment for a building using their understanding of electrical and mechanical systems. Additionally, they must grasp energy consumption rates to calculate how much fuel or power each system will need. When designing new systems for buildings, HVAC experts often apply their knowledge of load calculations.
- AutoCAD: Technical drawings of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are created and modified by HVAC professionals using AutoCAD, a computer-aided design program. For the construction and upkeep of HVAC systems in buildings, these drawings are required. As an HVAC engineer, being proficient in this application will help you develop because it enables you to create intricate designs that clients and contractors can comprehend.
- Project Management: You can supervise the timely and cost-effective completion of a project by using project management abilities. As an HVAC engineer, you can be in charge of supervising groups of contractors who install heating and cooling systems in buildings. You can utilize your project management abilities to make sure that all tasks are carried out bylaws and safety requirements.
- Time management: This is the ability to plan your workload and do it in a way that ensures you complete tasks by the due date. The success of HVAC engineers depends on their ability to manage their time effectively because they frequently work with contractors that have deadlines for the completion of projects.
- Communication: The capacity to express knowledge in a way that is clear to others is known as communication. HVAC engineers must be able to discuss technical project details with clients, coworkers, and contractors. Additionally, so that non-technical audiences may make educated decisions, complicated concepts must be explained to them.
- Energy conservation: HVAC experts utilize energy-saving techniques to lower the amount of electricity that their systems use. This can save utility costs for businesses and build consumer confidence that the organization is adopting green technology. Energy-saving HVAC engineers may also be able to design more effective systems, saving clients money.
- Organization: The capacity to keep track of numerous resources and bits of data. You may need to plan your time, projects, tools, and other resources if you work as an HVAC engineer. Strong organizing abilities might support your ability to stay on task and complete your work quickly. When working with machinery, it’s also crucial to be organized so that you know where everything is and how everything works together.
- Troubleshooting: Problem-solving skills include the capacity to troubleshoot. When analyzing maintenance records, diagnosing equipment problems, or testing a malfunctioning system, HVAC engineers apply their troubleshooting abilities. You can solve problems in your office, such as how to increase productivity or lower energy use, via troubleshooting.
- Building Codes: Building regulations specific to their region must be known to HVAC engineers. The amount of heat and cooling that a room needs, the kind of equipment that can be utilized, and other architectural specifications are determined by these laws. An HVAC engineer can create more effective systems that comply with code standards by having an understanding of these restrictions.
How to Become an HVAC Engineer
- Obtain your GED or high school diploma: For those interested in becoming HVAC engineers, math and science are required courses. Maintaining strong grades might be advantageous for your career because mechanical engineering programs at schools with ABET accreditation frequently favor applicants with GPAs above 3.0. You can also participate in extracurricular activities to obtain valuable work experience before graduating, such as volunteering at nearby HVAC businesses.
- Achieve a bachelor’s degree: Even though an associate degree can be used to become an HVAC engineer, most HVAC engineers hold bachelor’s degrees. A bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, architectural engineering, or HVAC engineering technology is something to think about. A bachelor’s degree can be earned in four years, and enrolling in a school that has received ABET accreditation will improve your job prospects.
- Examine your engineering fundamentals by taking the FE: You can take the FE exam before earning your mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree. You can become an Engineer in Training (EIT) after passing the FE test, which is the first step in obtaining a license.
- Become certified: When you become a mechanical engineer, you might think about specializing in HVAC design. You can gain the particular knowledge you might need to launch a prosperous HVAC engineer career by obtaining an HVAC certificate. You can get it from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.
- Get a license: Although state-by-state licensing laws differ, you need a license to work on some projects, such as those that are publicly sponsored. Engineers who hold a Professional Engineering (PE) license can oversee other engineers and make critical project decisions. If you wish to work in the public sector, consider this credential The Professional Engineering Exam, which includes three subcategories of mechanical engineering, must be passed to obtain your PE.
Even while it’s not necessary to work in HVAC engineering if you have a degree in HVAC technology, getting a PE might increase your job prospects and allow you to make more money.
- Acquire experience: You can look for entry-level employment experience after receiving your bachelor’s degree and PE license. In some places, you can sign up to become an HVAC apprentice and put in a set amount of time working under a certified contractor’s supervision. Any job opportunities that let you use your talents will help you improve your resume and raise your chances of landing a job.
- Take graduate courses (optional): While some prospective HVAC engineers choose to finish a graduate program, others prefer to get an HVAC certification. A Master of Science in mechanical engineering with HVAC preparation is an option. These programs include classes in heat transfer, automatic control systems, fluid mechanics basics, turbomachinery concepts, and engineering optimization.
Where to Work as an HVAC Engineer
Office buildings, factories, hospitals, and schools are among the places where HVAC engineers are employed. They could also undertake fieldwork, visiting buildings or other locations to determine how much heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is needed. Although they occasionally work overtime to meet deadlines or attend to emergencies, HVAC engineers normally work a standard 40-hour workweek. Others work from home, while some HVAC experts visit various job sites. Engineers, architects, and construction workers all frequently collaborate with HVAC engineers in a team setting.
HVAC Engineer Salary Scale
In the USA, the typical HVAC engineer’s pay is $42.94 per hour or $83,740 annually. Most experienced workers earn up to $120,000 per year, while entry-level roles start at $65,108.
In the United Kingdom, an HVAC engineer makes an average pay of £35,109 per year or £18 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to £45,000 per year, while entry-level roles start at £32,305.
In Canada, an HVAC engineer makes an average pay of $70,360 annually or $36.08 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to $104,000 per year, while entry-level roles start at $46,800.
Australia’s national average for HVAC engineers is $106,125 annually or $54.42 per hour. Most experienced workers earn up to $150,000 per year, while entry-level roles start at $96,250.
In Ireland, an HVAC engineer makes an average annual pay of 42 000 euros or 21.54 euros per hour. Most experienced workers can earn up to €54 769 each year, while entry-level occupations start at €35 000.
