Job Description

Overview

The HVAC / Refrigeration Technician is responsible for maintaining ammonia refrigeration systems and associated equipment, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and performing preventative maintenance and repairs. This role requires coordination with contractors and adherence to quality assurance and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

  • Maintain ammonia refrigeration systems and associated equipment.
  • Perform preventative maintenance and repairs on compressors, condensers, evaporators, and other machinery.
  • Work with refrigeration contractors, electricians, and pipefitters to ensure safety compliance.
  • Assist in recordkeeping and training for Process Safety Management/Risk management plans.
  • Provide technical analysis and real-time data on refrigeration and operational equipment.
  • Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, hydraulics, pneumatics, and plumbing issues.
  • Utilize technical records and vendor diagrams for maintenance documentation.
  • Handle maintenance emergencies as required.
  • Maintain a clean and organized work area.

Requirements

  • Must have own toolbox and tools.
  • 2+ years of hands-on experience is a plus.
  • Trade school with HVAC-R Diploma is a minimum requirement.
  • RETA Certification is preferred.
  • Ammonia operator 1 certification is a minimum requirement.
  • Ammonia operator 2 certification is preferred.
  • Experience in repairing refrigeration systems, pipefitting, and welding.
  • Proficient in reading diagrams.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and company's ERP & CMMS Software.
  • Must be able to read, write, and speak English; Spanish speaking is a plus.

Additional Information

  • Full-time position, Monday to Saturday.

How this job compares in Chicago, IL

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Chicago, IL currently run a median of $37/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $31–$46/hr across 70 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Chicago, IL

We're tracking 99 other active welding openings in Chicago, IL right now, from 52 different employers. 27 of them were added in the last week. Across Illinois as a whole we're tracking 338 other active welding openings from 202 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Chicago, or widen the search to Illinois.

Vienna Beef currently has 4 other openings live in Illinois, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Illinois at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Gerber Collision & Glass (14), S&C Electric Company (11), and Venteon (10). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Illinois, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Downers Grove at $46/hr, Chicago at $37/hr, and Elk Grove Village at $34/hr. Chicago is among them.

Similar openings near Chicago, IL

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. HVAC / Refrigeration Technician figures were last recalculated when this page was built.