Principal Engineer

Our Story:

Dover Food Retail (DFR) is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services; and leading our industry by Innovating What's Next in glass doors and intelligent merchandising technologies that keep food safe under brands such as Hillphoenix and Anthony.

DFR is part of the Climate & Sustainability Technologies segment of the Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV). Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues in excess of $7 billion.

DFR is built on creativity and customer-centric innovation delivered by people invigorated by a strong sense of responsibility to help our customers win in their marketplaces. The relationships we build with our customers are as important to our success as the products we manufacture. This collaborative environment delivers FRESH THINKING, reassuring our customers that they choose the best when they choose to work with the people of Dover Food Retail.

Job Title: Principal Engineer

Location: Keosauqua, IA (or Centerville, IA)

What we are looking for:

The Principal Engineer will be responsible for the research and development of commercial refrigeration equipment, with a focus on thermodynamic and airflow management to optimize energy consumption. This role requires the design, testing, and analysis of prototype designs, quantifying the interactions between design parameters and their impact on product performance, and developing design rules and parameters that cover entire model families. The Principal Engineer will collaborate closely with the simulation team, development lab team, Product Management, and Operations to accelerate project execution. This role involves hands-on advanced development and prototyping to prove feasibility. Candidates should be motivated individuals with strong mechanical and problem-solving skillset.

What you will be responsible for in this role:

• Lead research and development projects focused on commercial refrigeration equipment.
• Establish instrumentation and data acquisition best practices defining physics-based foundation for product performance.
• Design, test, and analyze prototype designs to optimize thermodynamic and airflow performance.
• Identify and quantify interactions between design parameters and their impact on product performance.
• Develop and document design rules and parameters covering multiple model families.
• Collaborate with the simulation team to interpret CFD simulation results and integrate findings into design processes.
• Work closely with the development lab team, Product Management, and Operations to ensure seamless project execution.
• Ensure compliance with evolving Department of Energy (DOE) regulatory requirements.
• Develop commercial refrigeration food display case portfolio, both remote and self-contained configurations.
• Provide hands-on involvement in advanced development and prototyping to validate feasibility.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and advancements in refrigeration technology.
• Provide guidance, support, and mentorship to test lab technicians and junior engineers.

What are the basic qualifications?

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 10 years of design and test experience with thermodynamics and airflow management, or 7 years with a Master's degree.

• Minimum 3 years of experience working with and interpreting Airflow and thermodynamic simulation results..

• Minimum 5 years of experience leading engineering product development projects.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in design of refrigeration, air conditioning, or similar systems.

To be a great fit for the role:

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent.
• 3 years or more of experience setting up and running CFD simulations.
• PMP certification.
• Six Sigma certification.
• Experience running and analyzing "Design of Experiments" (DOE).
• Experience in developing intellectual property.
• Experience in ready and interpreting regulatory standards, especially DOE, EPA, AHSRAE 72, and UL 60335-2-89
• Strong troubleshooting skill set in HVACR, both electrical and mechanical.
• Strong working knowledge of refrigeration rack controllers, input/output boards, case controllers, VFDs, valves, compressors, and other equipment commonly used in commercial refrigeration.
• Strong knowledge of best practices in electrical wiring, copper piping, brazing/soldering, plumbing, and fabrication.
• Strong knowledge of the tools and techniques necessary to meet industry standards for good HVAC equipment commissioning and maintenance.
• Experience operating and troubleshooting environmental test chamber equipment and controls, including data acquisition systems.
• Experience with CO2 and R290 refrigeration systems.
• Ability to clearly document results and communicate effectively.
• Experience creating and maintaining standardized forms, including process & procedures standardized work.
• Ability to oversee and manage schedules for multiple simultaneous projects.
• Strong work ethic and professional attitude.
• Great communication and organizational skills with strong interpersonal skills.

How We Define Our Values and Why You Should Join Our Team:

The backbone behind our collection of outstanding businesses is a team of dedicated employees who protect and enhance our valued reputation for quality and delivering what we promise. It's our values that define Dover to all of our key audiences: our shareholders, customers, prospective employees and especially to ourselves.

These values must be expressed in our work and embody our actions, as they form the basis by which we do our jobs, make decisions and measure our performance. It's our unwavering commitment to maintaining our values that defines who we are as a Company.

• Collaborative Entrepreneurial Spirit
• Winning Through Customers
• Respects and Values People
• Expectations for Results
• High Ethical Standards, Openness, and Trust

What's in it for you?

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending
• Paid Holidays

#LI-HC1

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.