Lead Industrial Refrigeration Engineer

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,100,000 - 1,700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Training & certifications

Cutting-edge tech

Collaborative team

Job summary

Placements24 in Cape Town, Western Cape, seeks a Lead Industrial Refrigeration Engineer to oversee large-scale ammonia and Freon systems, optimize uptime, and lead a team of refrigeration specialists.

You will implement preventive maintenance, work with cross-functional teams, ensure safety and environmental standards, and drive continuous improvement in plant operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years progressive experience in industrial refrigeration engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Certified Industrial Refrigeration Technician or equivalent engineering qualification is mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge of ammonia (NH3) and Freon refrigeration systems, including operation, maintenance, and safety protocols.
• Proven experience with complex control systems, PLCs, and industrial automation related to refrigeration.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics as applied to refrigeration.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in reading P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and projects effectively.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and be on call as needed.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Cape Town, Western Cape area.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of all industrial refrigeration equipment.
• Develop and implement comprehensive preventive maintenance programs for refrigeration systems to maximize uptime and reduce operational costs.
• Troubleshoot complex refrigeration issues, including component failures, system leaks, and control system malfunctions, providing timely and effective solutions.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices related to industrial refrigeration.
• Manage a team of refrigeration technicians, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular audits of refrigeration systems to assess performance, identify potential risks, and recommend improvements.
• Oversee spare parts inventory and manage procurement processes for refrigeration components and consumables.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality assurance teams to ensure seamless integration of refrigeration services with overall plant operations.
• Prepare detailed reports on system performance, maintenance activities, and capital expenditure recommendations.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and advancements in industrial refrigeration to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a significant player in the food and beverage processing industry, is seeking a highly experienced Lead Industrial Refrigeration Engineer to oversee critical refrigeration systems in their **Cape Town, Western Cape** facility. This pivotal role involves managing the maintenance, repair, and optimization of large-scale industrial refrigeration units, ensuring consistent operational efficiency and product integrity. The Lead Engineer will be responsible for implementing best practices, managing a team of refrigeration specialists, and collaborating with cross-functional departments to minimize downtime and enhance system performance. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of ammonia and freon-based systems, advanced diagnostic capabilities, and a proven track record in leading engineering teams. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact on operational success within a leading South African enterprise. We are looking for a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair of all industrial refrigeration equipment.
• Develop and implement comprehensive preventive maintenance programs for refrigeration systems to maximize uptime and reduce operational costs.
• Troubleshoot complex refrigeration issues, including component failures, system leaks, and control system malfunctions, providing timely and effective solutions.
• Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, environmental standards, and industry best practices related to industrial refrigeration.
• Manage a team of refrigeration technicians, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Conduct regular audits of refrigeration systems to assess performance, identify potential risks, and recommend improvements.
• Oversee spare parts inventory and manage procurement processes for refrigeration components and consumables.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, and quality assurance teams to ensure seamless integration of refrigeration services with overall plant operations.
• Prepare detailed reports on system performance, maintenance activities, and capital expenditure recommendations.
• Stay abreast of new technologies and advancements in industrial refrigeration to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in industrial refrigeration engineering, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Certified Industrial Refrigeration Technician or equivalent engineering qualification is mandatory.
• In-depth knowledge of ammonia (NH3) and Freon refrigeration systems, including their operation, maintenance, and safety protocols.
• Proven experience with complex control systems, PLCs, and industrial automation related to refrigeration.
• Strong understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics as applied to refrigeration.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in reading P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and projects effectively.
• Willingness to work flexible hours and be on call as needed.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the **Cape Town, Western Cape** area.

Benefits

• Annual contract value of R , with potential for extension.
• Performance-based bonuses.
• Access to company-provided training and certifications.
• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge industrial refrigeration technology.
• Collaborative and dynamic team environment.
• Contribution to a vital sector within the **Cape Town, Western Cape** economy.