Make your mark at the world's largest HVAC company!
Why You’ll Love Working for Daikin:
We’re a group who operates with a people-centered mindset, believing in the unlimited potential of each employee, with a goal of driving our company to its fullest potential.
Our goal is to “Perfect the Air”. We do this through cutting edge innovation & sustainability efforts while meeting the HVAC needs of thousands of customers - expanding over 160 countries!
Our culture is unrivaled. Daikin operates under 8 Core Values which are embedded into every aspect of our business. It’s through these values that we continuously strive to build a place where everyone can be authentic, feel valued and heard, and have a sense of purpose and belonging.
Position Summary:
We are seeking a Development Engineer III to develop, calibrate, and deploy both steady-state and dynamic 1D system models for commercial HVAC products, including chillers, air handlers, and applied terminal systems. As part of the central Model-Based Engineering (MBE) team, this role spans library development, tool development, and application for product design across both steady-state and dynamic simulation, supporting control strategy development, performance optimization, and model-in-the-loop (MiL) testing.
The position combines steady-state and dynamic library and ecosystem development with the application and support of modeling and simulation for product development. The ideal candidate brings strong programming skills, a solid understanding of HVAC thermodynamic systems, and a forward-thinking approach to simulation automation and AI/ML integration. Operating with growing technical independence, the role contributes to simulation best practices, supports cross-functional teams, and helps mentor junior engineers.
Key Responsibilities:
Develop, calibrate, and validate both steady-state and physics-based dynamic models of HVAC systems, including compressors, heat exchangers, expansion devices, and control logic.
Design and implement libraries and development frameworks for steady-state and dynamic system simulation with an emphasis on reusability, modularity, and integration.
Build tools that automate model generation, parameterization, calibration, and results processing for thermodynamic system simulations.
Interface Modelica models with Simulink, Python, and testing frameworks via FMI/FMU to support model-in-the-loop (MiL) workflows.
Collaborate with global MBE teams and modeling practitioners to define simulation requirements and standardize toolsets, workflows, and modeling libraries across business units (Chillers, Air Handlers, Terminal Systems).
Support the new product development phase-gate process, helping ensure appropriate design maturity across milestones.
Champion model standardization, documentation, traceability, and lifecycle governance practices.
Develop test plans and support component, subsystem, and system testing to validate simulation models.
Investigate and apply machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate calibration, surrogate modeling, controller tuning, or automation of complex modeling workflows.
Provide guidance on best practices for simulation tool development, version control, and continuous integration, and help mentor junior engineers.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical field; Master’s or Ph.D. preferred.
6+ years of relevant experience (or equivalent: M.S. with 4+ years; Ph.D. with relevant modeling or tool development experience).
Strong understanding of thermodynamic cycle modeling, HVAC&R systems, heat transfer fundamentals, and both steady-state and dynamic system behavior.
Proficiency in one or more technical computing languages such as Julia, Python, MATLAB, or R, with demonstrated experience developing tools, libraries, or simulation software; working knowledge of Fortran, C, C++, Java, or C# is a plus.
Experience with standard system simulation tools such as Dymola (preferred), GT Suite, Simscape, or Amesim, and familiarity with the FMI standard.
Experience building and executing structured simulation workflows, including model integration with Simulink and FMI/FMU-based tools.
Familiarity with steady-state modeling platforms such as VapCyc, CoilDesigner, EES, or equivalent tools.
Experience designing model libraries, parameter databases, and calibration routines, and troubleshooting complex models.
Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to estimate work tasks and support project planning activities.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a cross-functional, globally distributed environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with MiL and HiL simulation workflows.
Experience with machine learning, data analytics, or AI-assisted modeling and automation.
Familiarity with version control systems (e.g., Git) and software development best practices.
Background in experimental data acquisition and validation of simulation models using test data.
Exposure to API development, database interaction, or simulation-as-a-service frameworks.
Familiarity with controls development and embedded system integration.
Understanding of model reuse, simulation governance, and lifecycle management concepts.
Experience working with or across international engineering teams.
Work Environment & Physical Demands:
This is a hybrid-eligible role based in Plymouth, MN, though occasional travel may be required to support lab testing and collaboration with global teams.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Daikin is the world's industry leader in air conditioning with sales over 27 billion dollars, comprised of over 300 companies around the globe. Its cutting edge air conditioning products and services using environment friendly technologies are widely distributed and marketed in more than 170 countries, from residential A/C to commercial A/C market. As its global headquareter, Daikin Industries, Ltd. is continually leading air conditioning history with its business strategies & technological breakthrough in the area of environment friendly air comfort solutions. In challenging the needs of the future with new innovations using AI/IoT technologies, Daikin will continue its commitment to growth of the business and contribution to the society.