Dandenong South, VIC | Full-Time | $150k–$160k base + car allowance + super

About the Company

An established Australian manufacturer of commercial refrigeration appliances — strong brand, loyal customer base, and a genuine commitment to investing in new product development. The engineering function is being rebuilt around innovation and disciplined process, and this role leads it.

The Opportunity

You’ll take ownership of the engineering department, develop your team, and set the product development agenda for a business with the market position to back it.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you’ll be a key member of the senior leadership team and a trusted voice on all things technical, commercial, and product-related.

What You’ll Be Doing

- Managing the full product development lifecycle from market brief through to production — timelines, compliance, and quality
- Leading the engineering department — setting standards, building culture and accountability, and developing your team’s capability
- Driving innovation across current product concepts, cost reduction, energy efficiency, and migration to hydrocarbon refrigerants (R290)
- Managing engineering documentation controls — ECN processes, CAD, BoM management, specifications, and drawing revisions
- Partnering with Operations, Sales,



and Marketing to bring new concepts to market
- Supporting component sourcing and supplier selection with technical rigor
- Ensuring AS/NZS compliance and managing certification requirements

What We’re Looking For

- A mechanical engineering background with proven new product development experience in a manufacturing environment
- A natural people leader who builds trust, unlocks ideas in others, and drives accountability
- Strong project management capability — able to keep innovation roadmaps moving
- A sound understanding of thermodynamic principles and refrigeration system performance. Commercial refrigeration design experience is strongly preferred; engineers from HVAC&R;, thermal systems, or appliance manufacturing backgrounds are encouraged to apply
- CAD proficiency (Solid Edge preferred) and working knowledge of ERP systems and BoM management
- Unrestricted working rights in Australia

Why This Role?

The business has a strong foundation, a loyal customer base, and a Managing Director who is genuinely committed to change and will back you fully. The engineering agenda has been waiting for the right person. If you’re technically strong, energised by building something, and ready to lead — this is the role to do it in.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Engineering & Product Development Manager - Refrigeration & HVAC (Dandenong)
🏢 George Lord
📍 Dandenong