Department
Engineering
Reports To
CEO / Co-Founder
Headcount
1 head
Hard Requirement — non-negotiable: Active PRC Professional Mechanical Engineer (PME) certificate. Applications without a PME licence will not be progressed.
The Role
In-house sealing engineer for all Karnot mechanical drawings — LGU OBO and BFP submissions. R290 and CO₂ plant room design to EN 378 and IEC 60335-2-40. Holds the PME signature on Karnot's PCAB STE credentials.
As Senior Mechanical Engineer (PME), you own Karnot's mechanical design function. Your primary work is refrigeration and HVAC system design — R290 (propane) heat pumps for the iHEAT range, transcritical CO₂ refrigeration for iCOOL, and hydronic distribution via iZONE. You will apply EN 378 refrigerant safety classification to every project and produce the BFP Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance documentation required for refrigerant plant rooms. You will also hold Karnot's PME-dependent PCAB STE credentials.
This is the second senior engineering hire at Karnot and the first PME. You will set design standards, build the mechanical drawing library, and mentor the Design Mechanical Engineer hired alongside you. The salary range reflects a base — experienced candidates with a strong refrigeration background should expect negotiation.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare, stamp, and seal all mechanical drawings for LGU OBO building permit applications
- Produce BFP Fire Safety Evaluation documentation for refrigerant plant rooms (R290 and CO₂)
- Apply EN 378 refrigerant safety classification (and IEC 60335-2-40 for heat pumps) to all projects
- Design refrigeration piping schematics, ventilation layouts, and equipment schedules
- Hold and maintain Karnot's PME-dependent PCAB STE contractor classification
- Supervise and mentor the Design Mechanical Engineer on drawing production and load calculations
- Conduct site surveys for new projects and validate as-installed conditions post-commissioning
- Review and approve subcontractor mechanical work on site
- Develop Karnot's mechanical design standards, BIM templates, and AutoCAD block libraries
Required Qualifications
- Active PRC Professional Mechanical Engineer (PME) certificate — no exceptions
- 10 or more years post-PME experience, with at least 5 years in refrigeration or HVAC design
- BFP Fire Safety Evaluation Clearance experience for refrigerant systems
- Working knowledge of EN 378 and the Philippine Mechanical Engineering Code
- Proficient in AutoCAD Inventor or equivalent for mechanical drawing production
- COSH certificate, or willingness to undergo Karnot-funded training
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with natural refrigerants R290 (propane) or CO₂ (R744) systems
- Familiarity with EN 378 European refrigeration safety standard as a design reference
- PCAB STE classification already held
- Experience designing hydronic heating and cooling distribution systems
- Knowledge of transcritical CO₂ refrigeration cycle design
- Willing to travel to NCR and provincial sites approximately 30% of working time
What Karnot Offers
- ₱40,000/month base salary
- COSH training fully funded by Karnot if not already held
- PCAB STE registration support — Karnot covers processing fees
- Mapandan HQ base — no Metro Manila commute; lower cost of living in Pangasinan
- Career path to Engineering Manager as the team grows
About This Role — Common Questions
Why does Karnot follow EN 378
Karnot is a European-rooted natural refrigerant company. EN 378 (European refrigeration safety and environmental impact standard) is our primary design reference because it gives the most detailed and current guidance on R290 and CO₂ system design, charge limits, ventilation requirements, and pressure vessel classification — and it underpins the F-gas Regulation (EU 2024/573) we already align to. Candidates with any natural-refrigerant safety background will adapt quickly.
What is the PCAB STE role for a PME
PCAB (Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board) requires a licensed engineer as Supervising Technical Employee (STE) in the relevant discipline to hold a contractor classification. For mechanical works, the STE must be a PME. Without an in-house PME, Karnot must subcontract or partner for mechanical permit work. This hire removes that bottleneck and is essential to Karnot's project delivery independence.
How dangerous is R290, and what safety measures are in place
R290 (propane) has a Global Warming Potential of 3 — far lower than conventional refrigerants — and is the natural refrigerant of choice for modern heat pumps globally. Karnot designs every plant room to EN 378 and IEC 60335-2-40. The PME's role includes specifying ventilation, shutoff and leak detection as standard engineering practice — and for our outdoor monobloc range, the refrigerant charge is sealed in the unit so the plant room requirements are routine commercial.
Is experience with CO₂ transcritical systems necessary at hire
Not essential, but useful. iCOOL is the CO₂ refrigeration product line — transcritical CO₂ is the global standard for modern commercial refrigeration design. Karnot will provide technical induction training on CO₂ system design. Candidates with a strong refrigeration background and a willingness to learn are welcome to apply.
Ready to Apply
Send your CV and a brief note covering your PME registration number and your most relevant refrigeration project. We read every application personally.
Apply by Email
Send to [Confidential Information] and [HIDDEN TEXT]
- Target start: 1 July 2026
