Refrigeration Engineer

Petit Forestier Group; Warrington; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Petit Forestier Group is seeking a skilled Refrigeration Service Technician to maintain and repair commercial refrigeration units and temperature-control systems across customer sites in the UK. You will diagnose faults, perform preventive maintenance, and ensure safe refrigerant handling in compliance with environmental regulations.

You will troubleshoot electrical and control systems, conduct leak testing, and support commissioning of new equipment while delivering high-quality,

Qualifications

• Recognised refrigeration and air conditioning qualification.
• F-Gas Category 1 certification and safe handling of refrigerants.
• Strong knowledge of refrigeration principles and systems.
• Experience with transport refrigeration equipment.
• Excellent electrical fault-finding and diagnostic skills.
• Full UK driving licence and ability to travel/work at customer sites.
• Effective verbal and written communication, planning, and organisation.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience using diagnostic software and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance, servicing, inspections, and repairs on refrigeration units and associated temperature-control equipment.
• Diagnose and rectify refrigeration, electrical, electronic, and control system faults using appropriate diagnostic equipment.
• Undertake leak detection, refrigerant recovery, evacuation, charging, and pressure testing activities in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements.
• Perform repairs and replacement of refrigeration components including compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices, sensors, controllers, and electrical systems.
• Complete all repairs to manufacturer specifications and Company quality standards.
• Ensure refrigeration systems achieve required temperature performance and operational standards following repair.
• Support emergency breakdown and call-out activities where required.
• Assist with commissioning and testing of new refrigeration equipment and installations.
• Ensure all work is completed to a “Right First Time” standard.

Skills

Refrigeration qualification

F-Gas Cert

Transport refrigeration

Electrical fault finding

Full UK Driving Licence

Communication skills

Teamwork

Diagnostic software

Problem solving

Education

F-Gas Category 1 Certification

City & Guilds Level 3 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Refrigeration Maintenance & Repair

• Carry out planned preventative maintenance, servicing, inspections, and repairs on refrigeration units and associated temperature-control equipment.
• Diagnose and rectify refrigeration, electrical, electronic, and control system faults using appropriate diagnostic equipment.
• Undertake leak detection, refrigerant recovery, evacuation, charging, and pressure testing activities in accordance with environmental and legislative requirements.
• Perform repairs and replacement of refrigeration components including compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices, sensors, controllers, and electrical systems.
• Complete all repairs to manufacturer specifications and Company quality standards.
• Ensure refrigeration systems achieve required temperature performance and operational standards following repair.
• Support emergency breakdown and call-out activities where required.
• Assist with commissioning and testing of new refrigeration equipment and installations.
• Ensure all work is completed to a “Right First Time” standard..

Refrigeration System Performance

• Ensure refrigeration systems consistently achieve specified temperature performance requirements.
• Verify refrigeration units are capable of maintaining customer temperature specifications before vehicles are returned to service.
• Conduct temperature performance testing and operational validation following repairs.
• Investigate and resolve recurring refrigeration faults and temperature-control issues.
• Support the protection of customer products through effective refrigeration system maintenance and repair.
• Monitor refrigeration reliability trends and recommend corrective actions to improve performance.

Regulatory & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with F-Gas regulations, environmental legislation, and refrigerant handling requirements.
• Maintain accurate records relating to refrigerant recovery, leak testing, refrigerant usage, and environmental reporting.
• Promote environmentally responsible refrigerant management and leak prevention practices

Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure all service, maintenance, inspection, and repair documentation is completed accurately and on time.
• Accurately complete job sheets and record labour times against work completed.
• Correctly record and account for all parts used during repairs and maintenance activities.
• Ensure all vehicle inspections are completed in accordance with company and legal requirements.

Workshop Operations

• Manage individual workload effectively and prioritise work assignments in conjunction with Workshop Management.
• Communicate proactively with the Workshop Foreman or Manager regarding work in progress, delays, additional repairs required, and vehicle status.
• Use workshop equipment, tools, and diagnostic equipment safely and correctly.
• Maintain workshop housekeeping standards and ensure work areas remain clean, organised, and safe.
• Supply and maintain personal tools as specified by the Company.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Adhere to all Company Health & Safety policies, procedures, and safe systems of work.
• Wear and maintain appropriate PPE at all times.
• Report hazards, unsafe conditions, accidents, incidents, and near misses promptly.
• Contribute to a culture of safety and continuous improvement within the workshop environment.

Continuous Improvement & Development

• Maintain knowledge and competence in line with current vehicle technologies, diagnostic systems, legislation, and industry developments.
• Participate in training and development activities as required.
• Support apprentices and less experienced colleagues where appropriate.
• Contribute ideas and recommendations to improve workshop efficiency, fleet reliability, and service delivery.

Measures of Success

Refrigeration Performance

• Achievement of refrigeration equipment availability targets.
• Reduction in refrigeration-related vehicle downtime.
• Reduction in repeat refrigeration faults and warranty returns.
• Achievement of temperature performance standards following repair.
• Successful completion of refrigeration preventative maintenance schedules.

Cold Chain Integrity

• Zero avoidable temperature-control failures.
• Minimal customer product loss attributable to refrigeration defects.
• High levels of refrigeration reliability across the fleet.
• Positive customer feedback relating to refrigeration equipment performance.

Environmental Compliance

• 100% compliance with F-Gas regulations.
• Accurate refrigerant tracking and reporting.
• Successful completion of environmental audits.
• Zero avoidable refrigerant release incidents.

Technical Excellence

• High first-time fix rate for refrigeration repairs.
• Accurate diagnosis of refrigeration and control system faults.
• Effective support provided to workshop teams and operational colleagues.

Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

Essential

• Recognised refrigeration and air conditioning qualification.

• F-Gas Category 1 Certification.

• Strong knowledge of refrigeration principles and systems.

• Experience working with transport refrigeration equipment.

• Excellent electrical and fault-finding skills.

• Full UK Driving Licence.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong planning, organisation, and problem-solving capability.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Experience using diagnostic software and equipment.

Desirable

• Experience with Carrier Transicold, Thermo King, Hubbard, or similar transport refrigeration systems.
• Knowledge of telematics and remote monitoring systems.
• HGV or commercial vehicle maintenance experience.
• City & Guilds Level 3 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning qualification.
• Experience of training apprentices.
• Knowledge of transportation and logistics operations.
• Strong PC literacy.
• Electrical qualifications (18th Edition or equivalent).
• Hydrocarbon and alternative refrigerant experience.