Full-Time
Application Engineer
AIR Control Concepts
11-50 employees
Acquires and nurtures HVAC representation firms
Compensation Overview
$64k - $90k/yr
Lenexa, KS, USA
In Person
Occasional travel to local Kansas job sites and trainings, including occasional overnight stays.
Bachelor's
 Solution Engineering |
|---|
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- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related equivalent experience.
- Basic knowledge of engineering fundamentals and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning concepts and operations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide units of measure using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals, and to compute rates, ratios, and percentages and create and interpret graphs.
- Strong problem-solving ability.
- Organization and attention to detail.
- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to travel occasionally to job sites and training, primarily within the local area and Kansas, including occasional overnight stays.
- Ability to perform the stated physical requirements, including standing, walking, bending, squatting, twisting, occasional climbing and lifting up to 100 pounds.
- Ability to work in office settings and occasional indoor and outdoor job-site conditions, including exposure to moving mechanical parts, extreme temperatures, humidity, fumes, chemicals, and loud noise.
- Regular ability to work with computers and electronic media.
- Create pre-jobs in Spectrum for timekeeping and create pre-job folders with the correct templates.
- Keep folder structures organized and updated.
- Select and estimate heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment and miscellaneous items from company product lines with outside sales.
- Provide timely technical and project-related support and communication to outside sales and other company departments.
- Generate basic controls layouts, piping layouts, controls schematics, and control sequences.
- Generate equipment schedules and equipment specifications.
- Identify and position potential specification opportunities to create stronger bid packages.
- Perform job takeoffs by reviewing job plans and specifications and work with outside sales to address discrepancies.
- Attend pre-bid walkthroughs with the assigned sales engineer when necessary.
- Generate equipment bid pricing and scope to meet bid timelines.
- Generate equipment approval requests.
- Support sales administration by gathering required documentation for job setup.
- Complete job handoff forms and attend job handoff meetings.
- Create job folders with the correct templates once a project is won and submittals are requested.
- Create submittals for various equipment.
- Complete factory control configurations.
- Enter orders for various product lines.
- Support operations with design questions after handoff.
- Assist outside sales with change-order pricing requests.
- Study literature and attend training seminars to remain current on products, processes, and materials.
- Maintain familiarity with competitors' product lines and how company products meet or exceed specifications.
- Create required tools as assigned to improve processes.
- Assist with training and developing Equipment Application Engineer interns.
- One to three years of experience in engineering systems or a related field.
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical plans and specifications.
Air Control Concepts builds a network by acquiring and integrating HVAC representation firms, then supports them with shared resources and collaboration to drive growth. Its products are the integrated services and community structure created through the acquisitions, plus access to partnerships and an enlarged market presence. The company differentiates itself by focusing on preserving each acquired firm’s unique culture while weaving them into a collaborative network, rather than simply competing on price or products. Based in Norfolk, VA, the goal is to help member firms grow, amplify their brands, and prosper through collective knowledge and opportunities.
Company Size
11-50
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Norfolk, Virginia
Founded
2016
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Blackstone became AIR's sole institutional investor on January 7, 2026, funding more acquisitions.
- AIR bought Technical Air Systems in January 2026 and Vertical Systems in August 2026.
- Entry into California and New York deepens exposure to dense commercial and institutional demand.
What critics are saying
- AIR's roll-up depends on founders staying after sale; integration failures destroy local revenue.
- Blackstone's sole control since January 2026 raises leverage pressure and exit-timing discipline.
- One bad integration wave kills seller trust and collapses AIR's future acquisition pipeline.
What makes AIR Control Concepts unique
- AIR combines local HVAC rep brands with shared back-office scale across 40-plus operating companies.
- Technical Air Systems and Vertical Systems stayed under local leadership after 2026 acquisitions.
- Blackstone-backed national platform gives small reps capital, M&A support, and shared resources.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
401(k) Company Match
Disability Insurance
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Training Programs
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 31%1 year growth
↑ 31%2 year growth
↑ 31%AIR Control Concepts, the largest commercial HVAC, electrical and controls platform globally, has announced leadership changes effective 1 January 2027. Founder Brad Hobbs will transition from president and chief executive officer to executive chair, whilst Hayden Bland, currently president and chief operating officer, will become president and CEO. Hobbs will remain on AIR's board and focus on mergers and acquisitions, strategic growth initiatives, and key relationships. He will continue leading Hobbs & Associates, the original platform business. Additionally, Aaron Lewis will join AIR as chief operating officer on 1 October 2026. Lewis brings extensive experience from Johnson Controls and will oversee the company's Equipment business segment whilst supporting international expansion. The Norfolk, Virginia-based company operates across more than 50 operating companies with over 3,500 associates worldwide.
AIR Control Concepts, a global provider of mechanical, electrical, controls, and lifecycle service solutions, has acquired Vertical Systems, a California-based manufacturer's representative in the commercial HVAC market. The deal marks AIR's entry into California and strengthens its national platform. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Southern California, Vertical Systems operates locations in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego. The company serves commercial, institutional, healthcare, education, and mission-critical facilities throughout California. Vertical Systems will continue operating under its established brand and leadership. The acquisition expands AIR's ability to support customers throughout the building lifecycle, from capital planning and system design through project delivery and ongoing facility optimisation. AIR Control Concepts operates across North America and Europe through more than 50 operating companies and over 2,500 associates.
Glenn Youngkin, Virginia's 74th governor and former co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, has joined the board of directors at AIR Control Concepts. The Norfolk-based HVAC and mechanical services platform operates more than 45 companies with over 3,500 employees across North America and Europe. Youngkin, who served as governor from 2022 to 2026 and spent 25 years at Carlyle Group, is a long-time friend of AIR CEO Brad Hobbs. The two were high school teammates and later worked together during Youngkin's gubernatorial campaign. The appointment marks Youngkin's first corporate board position since leaving office. He holds degrees from Rice University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar. AIR continues expanding its network of operating companies whilst maintaining their local market expertise and entrepreneurial culture.
Hear more about the latest deal announcements, news, and industry insights from Footprint Capital. In the news. Footprint Capital advises Cardinal Control Systems, Inc. in sale to AIR Control Concepts, a portfolio company of Blackstone Inc. (NYSE: BX). Columbus, Ohio, May 28th, 2026 - Cardinal Control Systems, Inc. ("Cardinal") has been acquired by AIR Control Concepts ("AIR"), a Portfolio Company of Blackstone Inc. ("Blackstone"). Footprint Capital, LLC, ("Footprint") acted as the exclusive sell-side advisor in the transaction. Founded in 2003, Cardinal is a leading HVAC controls and building management systems contractor based in Holbrook, NY. The company delivers custom building automation and control solutions that improve energy efficiency and occupant comfort for building owners and operators across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Cardinal's service offerings span system design and engineering, installation, commissioning, maintenance, service, and remote support, backed by factory-trained technicians experienced in pneumatic, electric, and digital control platforms. Through its consultative approach and commitment to reliable, easy-to-operate solutions, Cardinal has earned the trust of engineers, contractors, facility owners, school districts, and public agencies. Its involvement in LEED-certified and Energy Performance projects further reflects the company's dedication to sustainable, high-efficiency building performance. The acquisition significantly enhances AIR's presence in the Northeast by adding a long-established customer base in one of the nation's most active institutional and commercial building markets. Cardinal's deep integration expertise strengthens AIR's capabilities in building automation, direct digital controls (DDC), and full-scale system integration across the greater New York metropolitan region. Hayden Bland, Chief Operating Officer of AIR, commented that "Cardinal Control Systems is an excellent fit for the AIR platform. Their deep expertise in multi-protocol integration and building automation, combined with long-standing relationships across the New York institutional and commercial markets, significantly enhances our ability to support customers with high-performing, technically driven solutions. We are excited to welcome Scott and the Cardinal team to the AIR network." Scott McVetty, President of Cardinal Control Systems commented, "Joining AIR is a tremendous opportunity for our team and the customers we serve. We have always been committed to delivering exceptional, customized solutions backed by deep technical expertise. Partnering with AIR gives us access to greater resources and a broader network while allowing us to continue providing the responsive, hands-on service our customers have come to rely on. We're excited about the future, and we look forward to what we can accomplish as part of the Air team." McVetty also noted "Footprint's expertise and knowledge were invaluable, and the team gave unwavering dedication, hard work, and personal attention throughout the entire process. From the very first call through closing, I knew I was with the right team. I always believe that it's important to work with genuinely good people and I certainly found that quality in the Footprint team." Meera Modi and Brad Walker of McNees Wallace & Nurick served as Cardinal's primary legal counsel during the transaction. ABOUT FOOTPRINT CAPITAL Footprint Capital is a middle market investment bank with locations in Columbus, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania focused on advising owners and operators of privately held companies in the middle market. Footprint Capital's services include sell-side and buy-side merger and acquisition advisory, private equity and family office deal origination services, ownership transition planning, debt advisory, and strategic management consulting. For more information, visit: www.footprintcapital.com. ABOUT AIR CONTROL CONCEPTS Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, AIR is a global platform operating across North America and Europe through a network of more than 45+ operating companies and over 2,500 associates. The platform supports leading OEM partners and the customers they serve by combining deep local market expertise with the scale, resources, and connectivity of a national organization. AIR's operating model is designed to preserve the entrepreneurial culture and trusted relationships of each operating company while enabling collaboration, shared services, and long-term growth across the network. For more information, visit: www.aircontrolconcepts.com. ABOUT BLACKSTONE Blackstone, headquartered in New York City, is the world's largest alternative asset manager and operates one of the largest private equity platforms with a buy and build strategy to create long-term value. The firm invests in both established and growth-oriented businesses across the globe and strives to create value by investing in businesses where its capital, strategic insight, global relationships, and operational support can drive transformation. For more information, visit: www.blackstone.com.
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