Service technicians install new units, service broken ones, and maintain existing units. Manufacturers research, design, test, and manufacture heating and cooling systems that deliver the maximum comfort for the lowest cost. Their systems must be energy efficient and reliable. They supervise employees, order parts, and communicate with customers. In addition to technical skills, business management courses are a plus.
Project engineers supervise multiple crews and work at different job sites.
The engineer must schedule the right people, have the correct supplies on site, and communicate each day's objectives to the site staff. While ensuring that current jobs are running smoothly, the project engineer also bids on new jobs. As products come off the production line, these engineers test, locate, and correct any production defects, before the appliance reaches the consumer. To maintain or replace older comfort systems, additional new jobs will be created.