Industrial HVAC Technician

Sterling St James LLC; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 61,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle provided

Uniforms paid

Trade certifications funded

Premium safety gear

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC is seeking a skilled Industrial HVAC Journeyman to service high-tonnage commercial and industrial equipment across Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Madison, WI. The role commands a union-scale wage of $52.00 per hour and requires a valid HVAC 1 Industrial Journeyman Card with 3+ years of relevant experience.

The position is full-time and direct-hire, offering comprehensive benefits and a stable working environment within a debt-free, contractor-led organization.

Qualifications

• Valid Journeyman status with HVAC 1 Industrial Card and local union membership or willingness to enroll.
• 3+ years of verifiable commercial/industrial service experience.
• Strong knowledge of motor controls and building automation interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and install complex HVAC systems and process equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and ensure reliable system runtime.
• Diagnose electrical issues and trace controls faults.
• Coordinate with regional service pod and mentor apprentices.

Skills

HVAC troubleshooting

Electrical diagnostics

Field leadership

Troubleshooting controls

Education

HVAC 1 Industrial Journeyman Card

Tools

Johnson Controls Metasys

BAS / Building automation interfaces

Motor controls

Job description

Industrial HVAC Journeyman

$52.00/hr (Union Scale) • Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Madison, WI • 1st Shift / Mon-Fri (Overtime & On-Call Available) • Full-Time / Direct Hire

• Compensation & Benefits: $52.00/hr Union contract scale, comprehensive pension, premium healthcare, dedicated on-call pay, and lucrative overtime potential.
• Stability & Culture: Direct-hire role with a debt-free, rapidly expanding mechanical contractor boasting an under 8% turnover rate and 7–10 year average tenure.
• Work Model & Pods: Non-micromanaged daily scheduling supported by local pod supervisors and dispatchers across Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Greater Madison.
• Perks & Support: Fully equipped company service vehicle, paid uniforms, continuously funded trade certifications, and top-tier field safety gear.
• Strict Requirements: Valid HVAC 1 Industrial Journeyman Card required (Union member or open to joining); minimum 3 years of commercial/industrial service experience (pure residential background strictly not applicable).

For a skilled trade professional looking to secure an elite, long-term career home, this direct-hire journeyman seat offers top-tier union compensation backed by unmatched corporate stability. Our client is a premier, full-service mechanical contractor with a massive industrial fabrication and service footprint across Wisconsin. Financially independent and debt-free, the company actively rejects micromanagement and red tape, treating its field workforce with total trust and respect. Joining an optimized regional service pod, you will enjoy dynamic, high-capacity equipment challenges with the full backing of an employee-first organization.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• High-Tonnage Diagnostics & Repair: Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and install complex commercial and industrial HVAC systems and high-capacity process equipment across regional customer sites.
• Preventive Maintenance Management: Execute comprehensive preventive maintenance schedules to maximize mechanical performance and ensure optimal system runtime.
• Electrical & Controls Fault-Tracing: Utilize methodical electrical diagnostics and point-to-point troubleshooting to isolate system errors, motor control faults, and automated controls issues.
• System Commissioning & Validation: Verify complete operational cycles of mechanical networks prior to job completion to maintain zero-callback quality standards.
• Client Technical Advisory: Consult directly with facility directors and plant managers, serving as a trusted technical advisor while securing digital service sign-offs.
• Field Leadership & Mentorship: Collaborate with local pod dispatchers on workflow tracking while guiding and mentoring developing trade apprentices on the jobsite.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Journeyman Credentials: Valid Journeyman status with a current HVAC 1 Industrial Card and current membership—or absolute willingness to enroll—in the local mechanical trades union.
• Commercial/Industrial Experience: 3+ years of verifiable experience servicing high-tonnage industrial and commercial equipment (pure residential experience is not applicable).
• Electrical & Controls Fluency: Strong hands-on knowledge of motor controls, complex system wiring diagnostics, and exposure to PLC or building automation interfaces.
• Physical Field Agility: Ability to safely climb industrial ladders, traverse scaffolds, access rooftops, and navigate restricted air handler spaces.
• Clean Driving Record: Valid driver’s license with a clean motor vehicle record suitable for operating a regional service vehicle.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Advanced Refrigeration: Experience working with low-temp systems, chillers, or industrial process cooling networks.
• BAS / Automation Protocols: Familiarity with Johnson Controls Metasys, Honeywell, or BACnet building control interfaces.
• EPA Certification: Universal EPA Certification for refrigerant recovery and handling.