Commissioning Technician

Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Weekly pay

Vacation & holiday pay

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Job summary

Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc. is seeking a senior Commissioning Technician to lead the startup, testing, and validation of ammonia and CO2 refrigeration systems across industrial facilities.

You will oversee the commissioning process, coordinate with engineers and technicians, and ensure safety and design adherence on every project. Travel is required on a 10-on/4-off rotation; candidates must have 10+ years in industrial refrigeration, EPA and RETA certifications, and be able to train

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years in industrial refrigeration start-ups and commissioning.
• EPA Universal certification and RETA 1&2 required.
• Ability to lead an engineering/technician team and manage safety programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead commissioning of ammonia/CO2 systems from start-up through validation.
• Coordinate with engineers and technicians to meet design specs and safety standards.
• Train customers after commissioning and transfer operations to aftermarket team.
• Manage project risks and reduce startup delays across multiple facilities.
• Travel on a 10-on/4-off rotation as needed.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration

Commissioning leadership

Start-up & testing

Safety compliance

Team coordination

Tools

Frick training

Johnson Controls training

GE training

Bitzer training

Job description

Innovative Refrigeration Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of industrial refrigeration and process cooling solutions, delivering custom engineered systems utilizing natural refrigerants such as ammonia and CO₂. Through a fully integrated approach encompassing engineering, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, nationwide service, and advanced aftermarket solutions, Innovative supports customers across the food and beverage, cold storage, pharmaceutical, industrial manufacturing, and mission‑critical infrastructure markets throughout North America and around the world.

Unlike traditional engineering firms, contractors, or equipment suppliers, Innovative performs engineering, manufacturing, construction, commissioning, service, and ongoing customer support entirely in‑house. This integrated model provides employees the opportunity to support projects throughout the complete lifecycle, from concept and design through manufacturing, installation, startup, operation, optimization, modernization, and long‑term system support.

Job Role

A Commissioning Technician is responsible for the setup, testing, and validation of ammonia refrigeration systems. Their role is critical to ensuring that these systems are installed and operate according to design specifications and safety standards.

Key Duties

• Lead commissioning engineer responsible for new and retrofitted industrial refrigeration systems startup process in food, beverage, general industry, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and refrigerated storage facilities ranging from 500 HP to 10,000 HP.
• Risk management for location when starting up plants with ammonia, CO2, and Freon refrigeration equipment commonly found in industrial applications.
• Demonstrate an understanding and adherence to all work safety policies, procedures, and governing requirements, ability to lead work with other engineers and technicians. Lead process and take full responsibility for the entire team’s success and customer satisfaction of each project.
• Initial commissioning of industrial screw compressors, industrial reciprocal compressors, recirculators, refrigerant pumps, chillers, evaporators, water‑cooled condensers, air‑cooled condensers, evaporative‑cooled condensers, water pumps, dispersion tanks, process‑freezers off all types, freeze dryers, plate freezers, and all customer processes attached to industrial refrigeration systems. You will work with electrical engineering teams and will be the lead engineer over entire commissioning process.
• Ability to provide training to customer of their new plant after commissioning processes are significantly completed.
• Meet with customer/owner and their team at the end of the project to successfully transfer plant operations from your control to customer/owner and transfer continued support to our in‑house aftermarket team for continued customer success with systems operations

Requirements

• Minimum of 10+ years of industrial refrigeration experience
• Field experience in start‑ups of Carbon Dioxide cascade systems, single & multi‑stage ammonia and Freon systems
• Universal EPA certification
• RETA 1&2 certification
• Commission refrigeration equipment and complete industrial/commercial systems
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control system issues
• Failure analysis of mechanical parts and electrical components
• Minimize commissioning Issues and reduce start‑up delays
• Must be willing to travel full‑time on a 10 day on 4 day off rotational schedule based on team needs.
• Excellent physical condition as you will be required to climb ladders, wear a respirator, work 10 to 12‑hour days, and occasional heavy lifting.
• The position requires a pre‑employment drug screening, felony screening, and motor vehicle record screening
• Must be able to wear a respirator and pass a fit test

Preferences

• Commissioning school training from Frick/Johnson Controls, GE, Bitzer and others

Benefits

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a robust benefits package:

• Retirement plan; company matches dollar for dollar up to 15%
• Health insurance; company pays 75% of the premiums for employee/family
• Dental Insurance
• Vision insurance
• Weekly pay
• Competitive vacation & holiday pay
• Supplemental insurance available (Aflac)
• Short‑term & long‑term disability coverage
• Accidental death/dismemberment coverage after one year of employment
• Life insurance coverage after one year of employment
• Employee referral incentives

If you are driven to succeed and want to be part of a rapidly growing company at the forefront of the industry,