Industrial Refrigeration Engineer

Randstad Staffing; England; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading staffing agency in the UK is seeking a Trainee Industrial Refrigeration Engineer to join their expert team. This position offers a competitive salary of up to £50,000 per annum and a fully expensed van. Ideal candidates will have hands-on experience with ammonia systems and a formal refrigeration qualification. The role involves maintenance and fault-finding on industrial refrigeration systems with a structured training program to develop your skills in a rewarding career.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Fully expensed company van

Structured training and development program

Company pension scheme

25 days holiday allowance

Overtime opportunities

Specialist tools and equipment

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience working with Ammonia (NH3) refrigeration systems.
• A full, valid UK Driving Licence.
• An Ammonia Handling qualification (City & Guilds 2078) would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Assist with and learn to carry out planned preventive maintenance (PPM).
• Work with Ammonia plants and other refrigerants.
• Develop diagnostic skills to identify and rectify faults.

Skills

Hands-on experience with Ammonia refrigeration systems

Excellent problem-solving skills

Methodical approach to work

Education

Formal qualification in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (e.g., NVQ Level 2/3)

F-Gas Category 1 qualification

Job description

Job Title: Trainee Industrial Refrigeration Engineer (Ammonia Specialist)

Location: Southampton (Field-based covering the South Coast) Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum (dependant on experience) + Company Van Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Refrigeration Engineer with F-Gas qualifications and hands‑on experience with ammonia (NH3) systems? Are you looking to make a career‑defining move into the highly specialised and rewarding field of industrial refrigeration?

My client is a leading provider of industrial cooling solutions across the South of England. Due to continued growth, we have a fantastic opportunity for a motivated engineer to join our expert team. We will provide a structured training pathway to develop your skills on large‑scale industrial plants, investing in you to become a fully‑fledged Industrial Refrigeration Engineer.

This role is perfect for someone with a solid foundation in commercial or light industrial refrigeration who is ready to take the next step in their career.

What You'll Be Doing

Working alongside our senior engineers, you will be trained to service, maintain, and fault‑find on a wide range of industrial refrigeration systems. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Assisting with and learning to carry out planned preventive maintenance (PPM) and reactive service calls on industrial systems.
• Working primarily with Ammonia (NH3) plants, as well as other refrigerants such as CO₂ and HFCs.
• Developing your diagnostic skills to identify and rectify faults on compressors, pumps, evaporators, and control systems.
• Ensuring all work is completed in line with current legislation, including F‑Gas and Ammonia Handling regulations.
• Maintaining accurate job records and providing excellent customer service to our key clients in sectors such as food production, pharmaceuticals, and distribution.

Who We're Looking For

We are looking for a candidate with the right attitude and a strong technical foundation. The ideal candidate will have:

• Essential: Proven hands‑on experience working with Ammonia (NH3) refrigeration systems.
• Essential: A formal qualification in Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (e.g., NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent).
• Essential: A valid F‑Gas Category 1 qualification.
• A strong desire to specialise and build a long‑term career in industrial refrigeration.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and a methodical approach to your work.
• A full, valid UK Driving Licence.
• Ideally based in or commutable to the Southampton area.

An Ammonia Handling (City & Guilds 2078 or equivalent) qualification would be highly advantageous, but training can be provided for the right candidate.

What We Offer in Return

• A competitive salary of up to £50,000 per annum.
• A fully expensed company van.
• A structured training and development program with clear progression opportunities.
• Mentorship from some of the industry's most experienced engineers.
• Company pension scheme.
• 25 days holiday allowance.
• Overtime opportunities.
• All specialist tools, equipment, PPE, and a company uniform.

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.