R&D Electrical Engineer

R&D Electrical Engineer

KCC Companies is an employee-owned (ESOP) company dedicated to providing complete design, manufacturing, installation, and service for commercial and residential Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Our mission is to enhance the lives of our customers, partners, employee-owners, and communities by providing innovative HVAC solutions.

Benefits include:

• Daily Pay! "Work Today, Get Paid Today!"
• 9 Paid Holidays
• EBITDA Bonus
• Health, Dental, Vision insurance, and other Ancillary coverages
• 401K
• Monthly Accrued Vacation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Summary:

Drive innovation and technical excellence at KCC by serving as a primary electrical resource within the R&D team. This role blends deep electrical engineering expertise with hands-on testing, troubleshooting, and collaborative development. From wiring schematics to partner engagement, you'll help shape the future of our HVAC products by exploring new technologies, refining controls strategies, and supporting prototype builds and evaluations.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, review, and optimize electrical schematics and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD or equivalent tools.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to guide electrical and controls decisions across new technologies and product concepts.
• Troubleshoot electrical systems across voltage ranges (24V AC/DC to 575V), supporting prototype builds and field testing.
• Conduct safety and performance evaluations of new designs, ensuring compliance with NEC, UL 60335-2-40, and other relevant standards.
• Support the design and implementation of innovative electrical components, controls, and processes for HVAC systems.
• Assist in the development of training materials and documentation for electrical systems and controls.
• Analyze component and system-level data to validate performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Contribute to cross-functional R&D efforts, including mechanical, software, and controls integration.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, industry codes, and best practices to inform design decisions and strategic direction.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, Controls Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety practices (arc flash, lockout/tagout) and hazard mitigation.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting schematics, system drawings, and wiring diagrams.
• Fluent understanding of electrical and controls systems, how they interact, and the ability to effectively troubleshoot both.
• Willingness to learn and understand how electrical and control systems affect HVAC unit operation and overall performance.
• Experience with high-voltage power systems, electrical protection calculations, and power calculations for industrial loads.
• Experience programming, configuring, and applying VFDs, contractors, motor protectors, 3-phase 208/480/575 VAC motors, power meters, transformers, and power supplies.
• Ability to size and specify electrical components while ensuring compliance with the NEC.
• Ability to wire, label, and organize electrical power and control panels in a clean and professional manner.
• Skilled in the use of hand tools, multimeters, gauges, and power equipment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, especially in cross-functional and supplier-facing environments.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and stand for extended periods during testing and builds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• NEC Certification and familiarity with HVAC-specific electrical standards.
• Experience with AutoCAD and development of custom routines (e.g., Lisp).
• 5+ years of relevant HVAC or electrical engineering experience.
• Background in controls integration, development, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and write code in a variety of programming languages. Examples include C/C++, Function Block, and Structured Text.
• Experience with industrial and embedded control systems. Examples include PLCs, Arduinos, microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi platforms, or similar technologies.
• Experience in project scheduling and technical documentation.

What We Offer:

• A dynamic work environment focused on innovation and collaboration.
• Opportunities to work with cutting-edge technologies and influence product direction.
• Continuous learning and professional development.
• A chance to make a real impact on the future of HVAC solutions.