Startup Technician

VHV Company; Winooski (VT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

ESOP

401(k) Plan with Company Match

Paid Holidays

Training & Development

Job summary

VHV Company, based in Vermont, is seeking a Startup Technician to lead equipment startup, system setup, and commissioning for commercial construction and startup-only projects. You will ensure systems are tested, operational, and ready for owner turnover while supporting field execution and team development.

You will mentor apprentices, demonstrate strong decision-making, and uphold safety standards as you work across a broad range of HVAC equipment, with 100% travel expected on projects.

Qualifications

• Must be able to lead equipment startup, system setup and commissioning on commercial projects.
• Ability to mentor apprentices and support field teams.
• Strong focus on safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead refrigerant installation, startup, system activation for commercial projects.
• Own testing and diagnostics of equipment to ensure readiness.
• Ensure owner turnover with proper training and documentation.

Skills

HVAC startup

Diagnostics

Safety compliance

Team mentoring

Education

Electrical License (EM) or ES-A1/C3

EPA 608 Refrigerant License

Job description

Job Title: Startup Technician
Department: Project Integrations
Reports To: Startup Superintendent
Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hours: 40+ hours per week
Pay Range: $35.00 - $50.00/hour

About VHV Company:

VHV is a full-service mechanical construction contractor specializing in high-quality plumbing, piping, and HVAC systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients across Vermont and New Hampshire. Headquartered in Winooski, VT, we've been building trusted relationships and delivering innovative solutions for over 75 years.

At VHV, you're not just an employee—you’re an owner. As a 100% employee-owned company, we value teamwork, integrity, safety, continuous improvement, and treating each other with respect. Join a team committed to excellence, collaboration, and growth.

Our Core Values:

• Know & Do What's Right
• Committed to Improvement
• Team Focus

Our Core Focus:

Hire, Promote, Reward, Repeat

Position Description

The Startup Technician is responsible for leading and executing equipment startup, system setup, and commissioning activities for commercial construction and startup-only projects. This role ensures systems are tested, operational, and ready for owner turnover while supporting field execution, documentation, and team development. The Startup Technician also mentors apprentices and contributes technical expertise to project teams while continuously expanding skills across a broad range of equipment and systems.

Team player, integrity, dependability, detail oriented, solid decision-making skills, driven, approachable, punctual, high standards for quality and excellence, good customer service skills.

Startup Technician

Job Title: Startup Technician
Department: Project Integrations
Reports To: Startup Superintendent
Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Hours: 40+ hours per week
Pay Range: $35.00 - $50.00/hour

About VHV Company:

VHV is a full-service mechanical construction contractor specializing in high-quality plumbing, piping, and HVAC systems for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients across Vermont and New Hampshire. Headquartered in Winooski, VT, we've been building trusted relationships and delivering innovative solutions for over 75 years.

At VHV, you're not just an employee—you’re an owner. As a 100% employee-owned company, we value teamwork, integrity, safety, continuous improvement, and treating each other with respect. Join a team committed to excellence, collaboration, and growth.

Our Core Values:

• Know & Do What's Right
• Committed to Improvement
• Team Focus

Our Core Focus:

Hire, Promote, Reward, Repeat

Position Description

The Startup Technician is responsible for leading and executing equipment startup, system setup, and commissioning activities for commercial construction and startup-only projects. This role ensures systems are tested, operational, and ready for owner turnover while supporting field execution, documentation, and team development. The Startup Technician also mentors apprentices and contributes technical expertise to project teams while continuously expanding skills across a broad range of equipment and systems.

Desired Character Traits

Team player, integrity, dependability, detail oriented, solid decision-making skills, driven, approachable, punctual, high standards for quality and excellence, good customer service skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, own and perform, refrigerant install, equipment startup, system setup and activation for commercial construction projects and startup only clients.
• Own testing and diagnostics on equipment.
• Ensure commissioning and functional testing readiness.
• Ensure effective field execution and work assignment.
• Ensure owner handoff, training and service transition is successful.
• Provide input to sales staff as requested or required to assist in the accurate estimation, design, installation, start up and commissioning of projects.
• Perform all required VHV documentation including but not limited to: three-week lookaheads, pre-task plans, daily reports/field reports, safety toolbox talks, startup forms, timecards and progress reports.
• Teach and train startup apprentices.
• Pressure test vacuum and charge refrigerant systems.
• Continuously improve and participate in trainings to expand startup capabilities for a broad range of equipment types.
• This candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and the ability to supervise and direct other VHV employees and trades personnel.
• Experience with starting up a broad range of equipment including but not limited to compressors, heat pumps, VFDs, air handling units, makeup air units, humidifiers, hydronic pumps, convective/hydronic heaters and other various types of HVAC equipment preferred.
• Experience installing refrigeration and VRV piping systems, reading and interpreting piping diagrams, and adhering to manufacturer-recommended piping practices and specifications.
• Must hold a valid drivers license with a clean driving record.
• Maintain all applicable certifications and licenses as required including but not limited to; Electrical License (EM) or Electrical Specialist (ES-A1 or C3 or both), LP/Natural Gas Installer, EPA 608 Refrigerant License.
• Possess strong practical problem-solving skills.
• Ensure conformance to all company, customer, state and federal safety regulations.
• Ensure all applicable local and state codes and standards are being adhered to.
• Knowledge of machines, tools, uses and repairs.
• Knowledge of relevant safety equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to meet company, VOSHA, and OSHA standards.
• Basic computer skills.

How We Work: EOS + Continuous Improvement:

VHV operates on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) , with a focus on:

Vision Process People

Issues Data Traction

This framework helps our team stay aligned, accountable, and continuously improving.

Opportunities for advancement exist for high-performing team members. We live our core value of being Committed to Improvement, offering access to education, training, and cross-functional growth. At VHV, we don't just fill roles - we grow careers.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This is a field-based position. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Travel requirement for this position is 100%.
• Ability to hear and verbally communicate effectively.
• Ability to stand or walk for extended periods of time.
• Workers must be able to see well (either naturally or with correction).
• Use hands, fingers, arms, and legs to safely manipulate objects.
• Lift and carry tools and materials weighing up to 75 lbs (average lift less than 50 lbs).
• Climb up and down, balance and work safely on a minimum 30-foot ladder and scaffolding 15 feet or more in the air.
• Requires ability to walk, climb, stand, carry materials, stoop, kneel, bend at waist
• The employee regularly works outside and is occasionally exposed to cold, wet and or humid conditions.
• Work regularly occurs at jobsites where exposure to construction related hazards exist, including working near moving mechanical parts, working in high and precarious places and confined spaces.
• Wear the Proper PPE: safety boots that cover at least the ankle, clean blue jeans or appropriate work pants without tears or rips, VHV logo preferably on the work shirt or jacket (depending on weather), safety glasses, gloves, and your hand tool bag.

Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature of the role and may not include all tasks or responsibilities. Team members may be asked to perform duties outside of their primary responsibilities as needed.

Employee Benefits

VHV offers industry-leading pay. Benefits packages include:

• Health Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Paid Holidays
• Profit Sharing
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Plan, with Company Match
• Employee Owned Company (ESOP)
• Ongoing Employee Training
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• HSA Employer Contribution

Equal Opportunity Employer

VHV provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

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