HVAC & Refrigeration Mechanic – On-Site Expert

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories Ltd.; Chalk River; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits effective Day One

Tuition support

Pension plan

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories is seeking a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic for on-site work at Chalk River, Ontario. You will troubleshoot, install, repair and maintain HVAC and refrigeration equipment to support critical site infrastructure.

You will read technical drawings, work packages and procedures, perform leak checks, handle refrigerants, and ensure safety standards. The role includes mentoring apprentices within a union environment.

Qualifications

• Secondary School Graduation Diploma.
• Qualification as a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic through a 9,000-hour apprenticeship.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, dismantle, install and adjust refrigeration, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment.
• Maintain HVAC systems and related equipment (fans, compressors, condensers, valves, humidistats, thermostats).
• Balance ventilation to design specs and verify performance after changes.

Skills

Troubleshooting HVAC

Repairing equipment

Installing systems

Reading blueprints

Verbal & written communication

Education

Diploma or equivalent

9,000-hour apprenticeship

Tools

DDC systems

Job description

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you? Can you see yourself as a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, supporting critical site infrastructure by troubleshooting, repairing, installing, and maintaining HVAC and refrigeration systems? Do you enjoy hands-on work, solving technical problems, and ensuring equipment operates safely and efficiently to support day-to-day operations? If you answered yes, then this may be the job for you! Apply today!

What you will be doing!

• Troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, dismantling, installing, and adjusting refrigeration, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment.
• Maintaining HVAC systems and associated equipment, including fans, compressors, condensers, pressure regulating valves, expansion valves, humidistats, thermostats, and water regulating valves.
• Balancing ventilation systems to design specifications and verifying performance following modifications.
• Taking air velocity readings and conducting system performance testing using specialized instruments.
• Reading and interpreting drawings, work packages, and technical reference materials to ensure work is completed safely and in compliance with applicable requirements.
• Performing leak checks on refrigeration and air conditioning systems.
• Charging and discharging refrigerant cooling systems and gas-insulated equipment.
• Installing refrigerant piping and performing flaring, silver soldering, and soft soldering activities as required.
• Maintaining housekeeping standards for work areas, tools, and equipment.
• Attending safety meetings, identifying safety concerns, and applying safe work practices throughout assigned activities.
• Assisting with training, coaching, and mentoring apprentices, co-op students, and new employees.
• Supporting skill development by demonstrating techniques, reviewing work performance, and sharing best practices.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Secondary School Graduation Diploma.
  • Qualification as a Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, typically acquired through the completion of a 9,000-hour apprenticeship program.
• Experience
  • Experience troubleshooting, repairing, installing, and maintaining HVAC and refrigeration equipment.
  • Experience working with ventilation systems, refrigeration equipment, and associated controls.
  • Experience reading and interpreting technical drawings, blueprints, and work packages.
  • Experience performing leak testing, refrigerant handling, and equipment commissioning activities.
  • Experience with Distributed Digital Control (DDC) systems is considered an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated knowledge of applicable codes, standards, regulations, and procedures related to refrigeration, air conditioning, and HVAC systems.
  • Demonstrated commitment to safe work practices and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • Proven ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues involving mechanical and HVAC equipment.
  • Demonstrated ability to read and interpret technical diagrams, blueprints, drawings, and work packages.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively in multi-trade environments.
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications for documentation, data entry, communication, and procedural updates.
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with supervisors, planners, schedulers, customers, and other trades personnel.
  • Working knowledge of Distributed Digital Control (DDC) systems is considered an asset.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”
    

Working Conditions:

• Working schedule: Four (4) days per week, ten (10) hours per day for a forty (40) hour work week.

• This position is part of the M&E Union and is governed by the terms and conditions outlined in the M&E Collective Agreement. As a member of this bargaining unit, you’ll benefit from clear expectations around hours of work, wages, vacation, and other conditions that support a fair and consistent working environment.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Onsite

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail]. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.