Industrial Refrigeration Engineer — Lead Installations & Maintenance

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 64,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Placements24 in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, seeks an experienced Industrial Refrigeration Engineer to install, maintain, repair, and optimize large-scale refrigeration plants across food processing, manufacturing, and cold storage.

You will interpret schematics, supervise junior technicians, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and travel to client sites as needed. A trade qualification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and at least 5 years’ hands-on experience are required.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning or equivalent certification.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in industrial refrigeration engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of various industrial refrigeration systems, components, and refrigerants.
• Ability to read refrigeration schematics and P&IDs.
• Experience with refrigeration control systems and PLC programming is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent mechanical aptitude and hands-on skills.
• Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to client sites.
• Commitment to workplace safety and environmental compliance.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, and service industrial refrigeration systems (e.g., ammonia, Freon, CO2 based systems).
• Perform routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and emergency repairs on refrigeration equipment, including compressors, evaporators, condensers, and control systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot complex refrigeration issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective solutions.
• Ensure all work complies with industry regulations, safety standards, and environmental guidelines.
• Interpret refrigeration system schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals.
• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.
• Maintain accurate service records, work orders, and inventory of spare parts.
• Respond to critical service calls to minimize operational downtime.
• Supervise and mentor junior technicians.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of refrigerants in compliance with environmental regulations.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration engineering

Preventative maintenance

Troubleshooting

Reading P&IDs

PLC programming (plus)

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Education

Trade qualification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Tools

Refrigeration controls

PLC programming

Job description

Placements24 in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, seeks an experienced Industrial Refrigeration Engineer to install, maintain, repair, and optimize large-scale refrigeration plants across food processing, manufacturing, and cold storage.

You will interpret schematics, supervise junior technicians, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and travel to client sites as needed. A trade qualification in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning and at least 5 years’ hands-on experience are required.