Strategic Innovation Engineer

Back to the “BASX.”  

With core values based on People, Product, Pride and Perseverance, BASX, located in Redmond, OR, was founded in 2014 by two entrepreneurial engineers who had a vision for providing precision air handling systems. Fast forward just 10 years, BASX, now an integral part of AAON, is an industry leader in the innovative research, development, design and manufacturing of custom heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions. 

Our goal is to partner with companies, in a wide range of industries such as data centers, clean rooms and surgery centers, who come to us with complex challenges that need to be resolved.  Our team has a world-class reputation for manufacturing custom HVAC solutions that exceed our customers' needs and expectations, and we are proud to manufacture over 90% of our units, from start to finish, right here in beautiful Central Oregon.

Our team is rapidly increasing, from 200 employees in 2022 to over 1000 today, to meet the demand for our innovative solutions, and we are looking for talented individuals within a broad range of specialties to continue this incredible growth.

If you are looking for a job in a dynamic, fast-paced, growing, and fun environment where you can develop and hone your skills, we want to meet you. Our team enjoys flexible shift schedules and generous benefits, including medical, dental and vision, and short- and long-term disability as well as both a 401(k) and an HSA (Health Savings Account) with a 175% employer match. We welcome people who have a passion for ingenuity, perseverance, and pride, and who love innovation and the satisfaction of knowing their work matters.

Summary:  The Strategic Innovation Engineer at BASX plays a critical role in the Strategic Development & Testing Group with researching, designing, developing, and implementing new and emerging technologies,  solving the hardest engineering problems, and supporting the development of new products and systems. This senior-level engineering position requires a strong foundation in mechanical or electrical engineering, with a focus on product innovation and engineering development. The role supports strategic initiatives by supporting complex engineering projects and mentoring engineering teams. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise and a proactive approach to solving design and manufacturing challenges.

Primary duties may include, but are not limited to: 

• Support engineering projects to develop new equipment and components using industry leading future technologies 
• Generate proposals for new product development and research projects including objective, methodology, timeline, budget, and expected outcome.
• Develop and maintain technology roadmap for application exploration and validation
• Identify potential acquisition targets for complimentary technology and intellectual property
• Design and engineer mechanical, electrical, structural and control systems for equipment prototypes 
• Evaluate high complexity product opportunities and generate reports for feasibility, profitability, and  risk assessment 
• Engage with customers to define concepts and develop engineered solutions for high complexity  sales opportunities 
• Support cross-functional design reviews for research and development projects 
• Support cross-functional design reviews for product and systems sales and designs 
• Develop testing plans, scripts, and apparatuses for testing and R&D projects 
• Assist R&D Technicians with performing tests on prototype equipment and components 
• Compile and analyze testing data and generate reports for prototype tests to validate functionality and provide guidance on product improvements.
• Author technical white papers to support implementation and application of new and emerging technologies
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., AHRI, UL, ASHRAE)
• Develop & author new engineering standards and practices within the systems group.
• Mentor and guide Solutions and Products engineering teams on technical and project-related tasks
• Maintain accurate documentation including BOMs, drawings, and technical reports
• Generate proposals and reports on research and development capital and operating expenses (CAPEX/OPEX)

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related industry experience 
• Preferred: Master’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 7+ years of experience in product engineering, preferably in Data Center cooling, HVAC or a related industry
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo) and engineering analysis tools 
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer principles
• Experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) systems and ERP integration
• Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills 
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, and industry standards
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance and certification processes or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background

Essential Mental and Physical Functions:  This position requires the ability to work in both office and manufacturing environments. The engineer must be able to analyze complex data, make sound engineering judgments, and communicate effectively across departments. Occasional travel may be required to support field operations or supplier visits.

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Manual dexterity to operate computer and testing equipment 
• Visual acuity to read technical drawings and perform inspections
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Ability to adapt to rapid changes in schedules & development roadmaps in order to meet the objectives required to support sales and customer opportunities 

Work Environment:  The work is primarily performed in an office setting with regular visits to the manufacturing floor and testing labs. Exposure to HVAC equipment, moderate noise levels, and temperature variations may occur. Safety protocols and PPE are required in designated areas.

Disclaimer:  Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at a time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.