HVACR MASTER TECHNICIAN

Duke Careers; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke is seeking an HVACR Master Technician to maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize a wide range of HVACR systems across Duke facilities. The role requires independent judgment, strong diagnostic skills, and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

You will perform maintenance, repair, and analysis on HVACR equipment, DX systems, chillers, and building automation controls, while adhering to Duke safety and standards. On-call rotations are part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, balance, and analyze HVACR equipment and systems.
• Service air conditioning units, water coolers, split systems, heat pumps, mixing boxes, air handlers, exhaust and supply fans, and fume hoods.
• Repair DX equipment up to 5 tons, refrigeration systems, ice machines, freezers, coolers, and research HVACR equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair hermetic, semi-hermetic, reciprocating, scroll, centrifugal, and screw chillers.
• Perform preventive maintenance on airside and waterside systems including coils, pumps, towers, compressors, and valves.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and adjust pneumatic, electronic, and line-voltage controls.
• Program and troubleshoot VFDs.
• Read and interpret blueprints, block diagrams, ladder diagrams, and electrical schematics.
• Analyze HVAC system performance using psychrometrics and computer-based analysis tools.
• Monitor temperature and pressure readings for historical tracking and system optimization.
• Install wiring, prefabricated ductwork, motors, pumps, compressors, and related components.
• Braze and soft-solder refrigerant, pneumatic, and water piping.
• Commission HVAC equipment and systems for new construction and renovation projects.
• Conduct site surveys, review HVAC designs and blueprints, and submit written recommendations.
• Assist with HVAC-related planning, estimating, and project coordination.
• Properly add, recover, and document refrigerant per guidelines; maintain logs and records.
• Follow lockout/tagout, PPE, hazardous waste, and OSHA safety protocols.
• Assist and mentor other mechanics by following written instructions; support team operations.

Skills

HVACR maintenance

Troubleshooting

Electrical controls

VFD programming

Blueprints reading

Pneumatic systems

Safety compliance

System optimization

Job description

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Date: Jul 18, 2026

Be Bold.

As an HVACR Master Technician, you will apply advanced technical expertise to maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize a wide range of HVACR systems across Duke facilities. This role requires independent judgment, strong diagnostic skills, and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do:

HVACR Maintenance & Repair

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, balance, and analyze all types of HVACR equipment, systems, designs, and applications.


• Service air conditioning units, water coolers, split systems, heat pumps, mixing boxes, air handlers, exhaust fans, supply fans, and fume hoods.


• Maintain and repair DX equipment (up to 5 tons), refrigeration systems, ice machines, freezers, coolers, and research HVACR equipment.


• Troubleshoot and repair hermetic, semi-hermetic, reciprocating, scroll, centrifugal, and screw chillers.


• Perform preventive maintenance on airside and waterside systems including coils, pumps, towers, compressors, and valves.

Controls, Electrical & Automation

• Troubleshoot, repair, and adjust pneumatic, electronic, and line-voltage controls.


• Program and troubleshoot variable frequency drives (VFDs).


• Program, monitor, and adjust automated building control systems and terminal-level controllers.


• Use the Facilities Automated Control System to identify system issues and implement corrective actions.


• Read and interpret blueprints, block diagrams, ladder diagrams, and electrical schematics.

System Performance & Analysis

• Analyze HVAC system performance using psychrometrics and computer-based analysis tools.


• Monitor temperature and pressure readings for historical tracking and system optimization.


• Perform air and water balancing and make appropriate operational adjustments.


• Identify and correct deficiencies in pneumatic, electrical, airside, and waterside systems.


• Install wiring, prefabricated ductwork, motors, pumps, compressors, and related components.


• Braze and soft-solder refrigerant, pneumatic, and water piping.


• Commission HVAC equipment and systems for new construction and renovation projects.


• Conduct site surveys, review HVAC designs and blueprints, and submit written recommendations.


• Assist with HVAC-related planning, estimating, and project coordination.

Safety, Compliance & Documentation

• Properly add, recover, and document refrigerant in accordance with Duke and federal guidelines.


• Maintain refrigerant logs, service reports, preventive maintenance records, and inventory documentation.


• Follow lockout/tagout, PPE, hazardous waste, and OSHA safety protocols.


• Properly handle, store, transfer, and dispose of HVAC filters and chemical treatments.


• Assist and mentor other mechanics by following oral and written instructions.


• Clean mechanical rooms, deliver parts, and support team operations as needed.


• Participate in on-call or standby rotations as defined by the Local 465 agreement.

Choose Duke.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Nearest Major Market: Durham

Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.