Building materials
10 HVAC product engineering experts
These ten professionals have led HVAC engineering and product development at companies that make heating and cooling equipment, in director and senior vice president roles. A reader can learn how HVAC engineering leaders run their teams and bring new heating and cooling products to market.
Professionals to explore
01—10Curtis Caskey
LinkedInExperience: Director of Engineering and New Product Development · Johnson Controls
Director of Engineering and New Product Development at Johnson Controls since 2019, a role the profile describes as responsible for the engineering organization and development of ducted applied products. Former Engineering Manager at Johnson Controls (2017–2019) and Senior Product Engineer at York International Corporation (2001–2007).
Derek Brasuell
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Engineering and Product Development · Rheem Manufacturing Company
Managing Director, Air Systems Development at Rheem Manufacturing Company since 2026. At Rheem the profile also lists Sr Director,Engineering and Product Development US AIR (2025–2026), Senior Director Engineering and Product Development (2023–2025), Director of Engineering- Residential Product Development and Advanced Technology (2021–2023) and Sr. Manager , R&D Split systems Rheem Manufacturing (2019–2021).
Elmar Zippel
LinkedInExperience: Director Group R&D Heat Pump Integration · Vaillant Group
Former Director Group R&D Heat Pump Integration (2021–2024) and Director Group Projects Heat Pump (2019–2021) at Vaillant Group, and Director Heatpump Program Management there since 2024. The profile lists heat pumps, natural refrigerants, product life-cycle and R&D among its areas of work.
James B. Rawson, P.E.
LinkedInExperience: Engineering Program Director - Unitary HVAC · GE Appliances, a Haier company
Engineering Program Director - Unitary HVAC at GE Appliances, a Haier company since 2021, a role the profile tags at the Director level. Former Director, Engineering Commercial AC Technology (2018–2021), Technology Manager - Zoneline PTAC HP (2017–2018) and Design Manager - Zoneline PTAC HP (2015–2016) there.
James Kistler
LinkedInExperience: Senior Vice President of Engineering · Daikin Comfort Technologies, INC.
Senior Vice President of Engineering at Daikin Comfort Technologies, INC. since 2026, and former Vice President of Engineering there (2022–2026). Former Vice President of Engineering (2015–2021) and Director of Engineering (2012–2015) at Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating, and former Design Engineering Manager at Ingersoll Rand (2008–2012).
Jean-Michel Carre
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Engineering · Lennox
Former Director Of Engineering (2012–2018) and R&D Manager Hvac chiller-rooftop (2007–2012) at Lennox. Directeur R&D - Team HeatPump at Groupe Atlantic since 2022. The profile describes creating product and process innovations and managing engineering teams and labs for HVAC and refrigeration units in commercial and industrial applications.
Michael Taras
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Executive Engineering Director · Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating
Sr. Executive Engineering Director at Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating since 2018, a role for which the profile says the Executive Committee hired the person to transform Daikin's Light Commercial Business. Former Vice President of Engineering at ClimateMaster, Inc. (2015–2018) and Global Manager Heat Transfer Products at Carrier HVAC (2008–2015).
Shima Shahahmadi
LinkedInExperience: Director of Product Engineering · Nortek Air Solutions, LLC
Director of Product Engineering at Nortek Air Solutions, LLC since 2025, a company the profile describes as the world's largest custom HVAC manufacturer. Former Senior Project Engineer at Rheem Manufacturing Company (2022–2024) and System Engineer at ClimateMaster, Inc. (2017–2022).
Sriram Venkat
LinkedInExperience: Director Of Engineering, Residential splits, VRV, Ductless & Sustaining Engineering · Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating
Director Of Engineering, Residential splits, VRV, Ductless & Sustaining Engineering at Goodman Air Conditioning & Heating since 2019. Former Engineering Manager Premium Residential Splits (2012–2015) and Senior Design Engineer Residential Splits (2009–2013) at Goodman. The profile describes managing and directing programs across core and premium residential market segments.
Uwe Engel
LinkedInExperience: SVP Engineering & Technology · Carrier HVAC
SVP Engineering & Technology at Carrier HVAC since 2024. Former Managing Director Technology (2018–2023), Head of R&D (2009–2018) and Product Development Manager (2003–2009) at Viessmann. The profile describes experience in the HVAC industry with expertise in international R&D management and platform and modular product architecture.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's product segment to yours, since residential split systems, light commercial units, applied equipment and heat pumps involve different design, testing and certification work. Also consider whether your question is about running a whole engineering organization or about a specific product platform, and pick someone whose roles sat at that level.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you plan a product platform so new efficiency and refrigerant requirements can be met without a full redesign?
- 02How do you organize testing and certification so a new unit reaches production on schedule?
- 03How do you split engineering effort between new product development and sustaining work on existing models?
Reaching HVAC product engineering experts
How can I contact one of these HVAC product engineering experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 9 companies, including Johnson Controls, Rheem Manufacturing Company and Vaillant Group, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach HVAC product engineering experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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