Industrial Refrigeration Tech

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 83,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with match

Medical coverage

HSA seed

PTO: 3 weeks from day one

Job summary

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East is seeking an Industrial Refrigeration Technician (Ammonia/R717) in Sunset Hills, MO. The role involves installing and commissioning ammonia refrigeration systems, troubleshooting complex equipment, and training plant staff to operate safely and efficiently.

You’ll lead safety efforts, read P&IDs and schematics, and work with customers to implement upgrades while traveling up to ~120 days per year.

Qualifications

• Ammonia refrigeration experience required.
• EPA 608 certification required.
• Willingness to travel up to ~120 days/year.
• Ability to read P&IDs/schematics and troubleshoot controls.

Responsibilities

• Install and commission ammonia refrigeration systems; perform charge, safeties checks, and turnover docs.
• Troubleshoot and optimize refrigeration equipment (compressors, evaporators, condensers, valves) and electrical systems; on-site and remote support.
• Lead with safety: LOTO, gas detection, ventilation, PPE; knowledge of IIAR/PSM preferred.
• Train operators and collaborate with customers; provide clear documentation and recommend upgrades.

Skills

Ammonia refrigeration

Electrical fundamentals

P&ID reading

PLC exposure

Clear communicator

Team orientation

Education

EPA 608 Certification

RETA CARO/CIRO familiarity

IIAR familiarity

Tools

Electrical tools

Mechanical tools

Job description

Industrial Refrigeration Technician (Ammonia/R717)

Location: Sunset Hills, MO

Travel: Primarily domestic. Expect up to ~120 days/year; trips are typically 5–12 days (overall range 3–15; may include weekends when timelines require). The company arranges flights, hotels, and cars; expenses are covered; tools/parts pre-staged or shipped. Travel is paid (separate travel vs. on-site rates), with overtime at time-and-a-half.

Make an impact on real production. This role supports high-volume industrial ice manufacturing, packaging, and palletizing systems powered by ammonia refrigeration. You’ll be the hands-on professional who commissions new lines, troubleshoots problems, and trains plant staff to operate safely and efficiently.

What you’ll do

• Install & commission ammonia refrigeration systems: mechanical fit-up, charge, verify safeties, tune setpoints, and complete turnover documentation.
• Troubleshoot & optimize refrigeration (compressors, recirculators, evaporators, condensers, purgers, valves), electrical (3-phase, VFDs, sensors), and PLC I/O—on-site and remote.
• Lead with safety: LOTO, gas detection, ventilation, PPE; familiarity with IIAR/PSM a plus.
• Partner with customers: Train operators, document clearly, and recommend upgrades/parts.
• Support the team at HQ between trips (phone troubleshooting, parts/bench work, project prep).

What you bring

• Proven ammonia industrial refrigeration experience.
• Strong electrical/mechanical fundamentals and ability to read P&IDs/schematics.
• PLC exposure for startups/basic troubleshooting.
• Clear communicator and steady problem solver.
• Certifications: EPA 608 required; RETA CARO/CIRO and IIAR familiarity preferred.
• Willingness to travel as outlined; passport helpful.

Why this role

• Mentorship & backup: Pair with senior techs; 35-year engineer provides remote support.
• Training: OEM factory classes + distributor-led training.
• Culture: Family-oriented leadership that prioritizes weekend home time.
• Compensation: Hourly + OT, with typical W-2s in the $40-60/hr range.
• Benefits: 401(k) with 4% match; medical coverage with company-paid share; HSA seed; 3 weeks PTO from day one (4 weeks after 5 years).