Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineer

Manchester Arndale; North East; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

OCS UK & Ireland is seeking a Mobile Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineer to deliver high-quality technical services across commercial environments in the UK. You will perform planned and reactive maintenance on split AC, VRV/VRF, AHUs, heat pumps, and commercial refrigeration, with fault diagnostics on F‑Gas systems.

Working hours are Monday to Friday 8am–4:30pm. Applicants should hold a time-served apprenticeship and City & Guilds NVQ in HVAC/refrigeration, with a valid UK driving licence

Qualifications

• Time-served apprenticeship in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration.
• Full UK driving licence is essential.
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance, servicing and repairs on split AC, VRV/VRF, AHUs and heat pumps.
• Maintain and repair commercial refrigeration equipment (chilled cabinets, multidecks, light commercial).
• Diagnose faults on F-Gas infrastructure, electrical and mechanical components; restore systems to full function.
• Complete service documentation and reports using handheld devices.
• Liaise with clients and internal teams; work independently and as part of a small team.
• Participate in 24/7 emergency on-call rota.

Skills

Time-served apprenticeship

Full UK driving licence

Strong verbal and written comms

Education

City & Guilds Level 2/3 NVQ in HVAC/Refrigeration/Mech Eng

F-Gas & ODS Regulations (Cat 1–2079)

Job description

About The Company

OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.

Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values -Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

Why Work for OCS?

Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.

Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.

Retail Perks: With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.

Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!

Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)

About the Role

Working Hours

Monday to Friday 8am to 4.30pm

Key Responsibilities

As a Mobile Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineer, you will be responsible for delivering high-quality technical services across a range of commercial environments. Your duties will include:

Technical Service & Maintenance

• Carry out planned and reactive maintenance, servicing, and repairs on:
• Split air conditioning systems
• VRV/VRF systems
• Air Handling Units (AHUs) and heat pumps
• Commercial refrigeration equipment, including chilled cabinets, multidecks and light commercial systems
• Diagnose faults and perform repairs on F-Gas infrastructure, electrical, and mechanical components, ensuring systems are restored to full functionality.

Compliance & Standards

• Work in accordance with industry regulations, technical standards, and manufacturer guidelines.
• Ensure all work complies with F-Gas & ODS regulations, Permit to Work procedures, and Health & Safety protocols.
• Maintain safe working practices at all times, including when working at heights or in confined spaces.

Documentation & Reporting

Accurately complete:

• Service documentation
• Inspection reportsMaintenance logs
• Remedial work records
• Use handheld devices (PDA or mobile apps) to update job status, record findings, and communicate with internal teams.

Communication & Collaboration

• Liaise professionally with clients, site contacts, and internal teams to ensure clear communication and minimal disruption to operations.
• Work independently on assigned tasks and collaborate effectively within a small, supportive team.

Emergency Support

• Participate in the emergency on-call rota, providing out-of-hours support as part of our 24/7, 365-day service commitment.

Requirements

• Time-served apprenticeship in Air Conditioning/Refrigeration
• City & Guilds Level 2/3 NVQ or equivalent in HVAC, Refrigeration, or Mechanical Engineering
• F-Gas & ODS Regulations (Category 1 – 2079)
• Proven experience in a Maintenance or Facilities Management environment
• Hands-on experience with air conditioning and refrigeration systems
• Familiarity with split, VRV & VRF systems
• Understanding of Health & Safety legislation and safe working practices
• Familiarity with Permit to Work systems
• Comfortable working at heights, in confined spaces, and performing manual tasks
• Competent in using handheld devices for reporting and communication
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Self-motivated, reliable, and solution-focused
• Full UK driving licence

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.