Restaurant Maintenance Tech — HVAC & Refrigeration

Whataburger; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 79,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base pay $38/hr

Bonus program up to 2.5x

Company vehicle

5 weeks PTO

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

401(k) match

Medical/Dental/Vision

Disability

Career development

Scholarship program

Tablet and phone provided

Meals discount

Wireless discounts

Software discounts

Gym discounts

Awards and recognition

Retirement celebration

Job summary

Whataburger is seeking a Restaurant Maintenance Technician to keep our Austin-area restaurants running safely and reliably. You will diagnose issues, repair equipment, and perform preventive maintenance across HVAC, refrigeration, kitchen systems, and building components.

Work is field-based with travel to assigned restaurants and on-call rotations as needed. The ideal candidate has HVAC/refrigeration experience, a high school diploma or GED, and ability to lift 50 lbs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent (or equivalent work experience).
• Ability to work full-time hours, with on-call rotation once a month, and ability to travel both locally and long distances (including air travel), to worksites, meeting sites, and other locations.
• 1+ year of field experience in HVAC and commercial refrigeration.
• 1+ year of experience repairing commercial kitchen equipment or equivalent technical education.
• EPA or CFC Certification.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, and commercial kitchen equipment systems.
• Basic knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, and intermediate electrical repairs.
• Ability to prioritize reactive service work, troubleshoot complex issues, and meet SLA timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly with restaurant leaders, vendors, and the general public.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet Whataburger MVR standards.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and safely work on ladders and rooftops.

Responsibilities

• Support on average 10 restaurants.
• Work an average of 42 hours per week.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair commercial kitchen equipment, HVAC, refrigeration, and beverage systems.
• Respond to service calls and emergency maintenance needs to restore equipment and facility functionality.
• Complete and document repairs in accordance with work order priority and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Total ownership of the restaurant from curb to curb.
• Perform interior and exterior restaurant repairs, including basic carpentry, plumbing, and intermediate electrical work.
• Manage work orders, service documentation, and parts inventory using company systems and mobile technology.
• Communicate effectively with restaurant leadership, maintenance team leadership, and vendors on repair status and next steps.
• Coordinate and supervise third‑party vendors when work is outsourced for cost, timing, or expertise.
• Maintain a clean, organized company vehicle, tools, and work area.
• Support restaurant operations during after‑hours, on‑call, or urgent repair situations, as needed.
• Comply with all company policies, safety requirements, and regulatory standards.

Skills

HVAC

Refrigeration

Kitchen equipment

Carpentry

Plumbing

Electrical basics

Communication

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Whataburger is seeking a Restaurant Maintenance Technician to keep our Austin-area restaurants running safely and reliably. You will diagnose issues, repair equipment, and perform preventive maintenance across HVAC, refrigeration, kitchen systems, and building components.

Work is field-based with travel to assigned restaurants and on-call rotations as needed. The ideal candidate has HVAC/refrigeration experience, a high school diploma or GED, and ability to lift 50 lbs.