HVAC Engineering Staff Lab Technician

PDS Tech, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 51,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401K plan

Paid leave

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking an HVAC Engineering Staff Lab Technician in Charlotte, NC. You will conduct chiller test runs, install instrumentation, and troubleshoot complex systems to ensure reliability before production ramp-ups.

You will work with water-cooled and air-cooled chillers, manage data acquisition, calibrate equipment, and uphold EPA refrigerant practices while supporting safety standards and lab productivity.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 5+ years of experience servicing and/or maintaining commercial HVAC equipment.
• Strong hands-on mechanical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to work safely around complex mechanical and electrical equipment.
• A proactive approach to diagnosing problems and keeping operations moving.

Responsibilities

• Execute test runs and install instrumentation.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, and electrical/mechanical systems.
• Operate 460V, 3-phase equipment safely.
• Calibrate lab equipment for measurements.
• Optimize control loops and valves for testing.
• Monitor boilers, cooling towers, and pumping systems.
• Maintain EPA refrigerant handling practices.
• Ensure chiller performance meets quality standards.
• Support safety requirements such as 5S and lockout/tagout.
• Investigate issues and coordinate repairs to keep production moving.

Skills

Hands-on troubleshooting

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical safety

Laboratory testing

Data interpretation

PLC systems

VFDs

Instrumentation

Flow meters

Pressure sensors

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

PLC systems

VFDs

Instrumentation

Flow meters

Pressure sensors

Job description

Power the Future of Cooling: Become the Technical Expert Behind Mission-Critical Chillers

Location: Charlotte, NC Schedule: 1stshift and 2nd shifts available + occasional OT | Payrate: starting at $36/hour

Are you an experienced HVAC professional who thrives on hands-on troubleshooting, complex machinery, and high-stakes technical challenges? PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the HVAC manufacturing industry to find an HVAC Engineering Staff Lab Technician who can keep critical chiller testing moving during an important production ramp-up.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you'll serve as the lab's technical detective—executing tests, diagnosing equipment failures, maintaining sophisticated infrastructure, and ensuring commercial chillers meet rigorous quality and reliability standards before reaching customers.

Make an Impact Where Reliability Matters

You’ll work directly with water-cooled and air-cooled commercial chillers supporting applications where dependable cooling is essential, including hospitals and data centers.

From high-flow hydronic pumping systems to high-power electrical equipment, you’ll operate in a fast-paced testing environment where your technical judgment and troubleshooting skills can directly impact productivity, quality, and customer confidence.

If you enjoy figuring out why something isn't working—and knowing exactly what to do next—this is your opportunity to put that expertise to work.

What You’ll Do

• Execute Test Runs: Set up and conduct chiller test runs, install instrumentation such as flow meters and pressure sensors, and monitor data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot Complex Systems: Diagnose failures involving PLCs, VFDs, instrumentation, and other mechanical/electrical systems to minimize test-lab downtime.
• Apply Electrical Expertise: Safely operate and troubleshoot equipment, including 460V / 3-phase / 60Hz machinery.
• Perform Precision Calibration: Use and calibrate laboratory equipment for pressure, temperature, flow, and electrical measurements.
• Optimize Controls: Perform loop tuning and configure valves to support accurate and reliable testing.
• Monitor Critical Infrastructure: Oversee support systems including boilers, cooling towers, and high-pressure pumping systems.
• Support Refrigerant Operations: Maintain required EPA certification and follow appropriate refrigerant-handling practices.
• Protect Quality & Reliability: Serve as a critical checkpoint for chiller performance before products leave the facility.
• Champion Safety: Follow and reinforce EHS requirements, 5S standards, arc flash procedures, and lockout/tagout practices.
• Keep Production Moving: Investigate problems quickly, coordinate repairs, and proactively identify opportunities to improve lab productivity and reliability.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 5+ years of experience servicing and/or maintaining commercial HVAC equipment.
• Strong hands-on mechanical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to work safely around complex mechanical and electrical equipment.
• A proactive approach to diagnosing problems and keeping operations moving.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of specialized chiller/HVAC operations and station maintenance experience, or 5+ years working in a laboratory environment with high-power mechanical and electrical machinery.
• AS or AAS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology or a related technical field.
• Completion of a formal Skilled Trades Apprenticeship.
• Comprehensive knowledge of high-voltage and high-power electrical safety.
• Proficiency with Arc Flash safety protocols and medium-voltage operations.
• Experience troubleshooting PLCs, VFDs, instrumentation, and industrial control systems.
• EPA certification for refrigerant handling.

Pay Details:

$36.00 to $37.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.