The Senior Refrigeration Mechanic leads the service, repair, diagnostics, and optimization of high-capacity commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. This role involves expert-level troubleshooting, regulatory compliance (including refrigerant management), mentoring junior technicians, and ensuring uninterrupted system reliability in temperature-sensitive environments such as cold storage, food plants, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities.
Independently inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot:
Commercial walk-in coolers/freezers, rack systems, chillers, ice machines
Central plant refrigeration units, evaporator coils, compressors, condensers
Diagnose failures in compressors, expansion valves, defrost systems, or control circuits
Conduct refrigerant recovery, evacuation, leak detection, recharging per EPA guidelines
Maintain accurate refrigerant logs and ensure environmental compliance
Lead retrofit projects for refrigerant conversion (e.g., R22 to R410A, or CO₂ systems)
Replace or overhaul major components: scroll/screw compressors, heat exchangers, fan motors, control panels
Lead brazing, soldering, and pressure testing for sealed systems
Recommend system upgrades for efficiency, safety, or capacity enhancements
Develop and lead scheduled maintenance plans for critical refrigeration assets
Utilize CMMS platforms (e.g., SAP, Maximo, or mobile apps) to record tasks and asset performance
Identify early signs of wear and implement corrective actions before failures occur
Provide on-site training and coaching to junior and mid-level mechanics
Assign tasks, verify work quality, and promote safety and professional development
Act as a technical advisor during major installations, shutdowns, or inspections
Lead the installation of packaged or custom refrigeration systems
Guide pipework routing, insulation, valve installations, sensor placements, and startup protocols
Coordinate with contractors, engineers, or vendors for seamless handover
Enforce OSHA, EPA, and facility-specific HSE guidelines
Implement Lockout/Tagout, permit systems, confined space entry, and chemical handling procedures
Support or lead incident investigations and root-cause analysis after faults or failures
Interface with operations teams, QA, auditors, or third-party inspectors
Document maintenance KPIs, prepare technical reports, and provide system performance feedback
Participate in energy audits, CAPEX/OPEX evaluations, and improvement projects
✅ High-level refrigeration diagnostics and system integrity
✅ EPA-compliant refrigerant recovery and documentation
✅ Leadership in safety, mentorship, and work coordination
✅ Support for efficiency upgrades and system commissioning
✅ Troubleshooting in mission-critical or regulated environments (e.g., food, pharma, hospitals)
In-depth knowledge of:
Refrigeration cycles (including subcooling/superheat analysis)
Electrical controls, contactors, relays, overloads, defrost controllers
BMS/BAS interface, system integration, and energy optimization
Proficiency with diagnostic tools:
Digital manifold gauges, thermal cameras, multimeters, vacuum pumps, leak detectors
Strong documentation and reporting skills (MS Office, CMMS, EPA logs)
On-site in mechanical rooms, rooftops, cold storage areas, or field service vehicles
Exposure to noise, low temperatures, refrigerants, confined spaces, and high voltage
May require rotating shifts, weekend calls, and emergency response