Senior Refrigeration & Commissioning Technician

AJ Personnel; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 450,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

AJ Personnel is seeking a qualified Refrigeration Mechanic (Red Seal) to lead commissioning and service of commercial and industrial refrigeration systems in South Africa. The role emphasizes CO2 (R744) trans-critical installations and high‑reliability cooling equipment across racks, cold rooms, chillers and process cooling systems.

You will interpret P&IDs and electrical drawings, configure controllers (Carel, Danfoss, Dixell, Eliwell) and VSDs, perform FAT/SAT, diagnose faults, and manage

Qualifications

• Matric and trade ticket required for refrigeration technician role.
• Qualified Refrigeration Mechanic with Red Seal is mandatory.
• SAQCC gas registration must be valid.
• Code B driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Assist Contractors with commissioning and servicing commercial and industrial refrigeration systems.
• Commission CO2 (R744) trans-critical systems.
• Commission refrigeration racks, cold rooms, freezers, chillers and process cooling systems.
• Carry out preventative maintenance according to service schedules.
• Attend emergency breakdowns and reactive service calls.
• Diagnose and repair refrigeration, mechanical and electrical faults.
• Replace compressors, evaporators, condensers, valves and related components.
• Perform leak testing, evacuation, refrigerant charging and recovery.
• Complete FAT, SAT, commissioning and customer handovers.
• Assist OEM representatives during commissioning and warranty start-ups.
• Configure refrigeration control systems and parameters.
• Read electrical schematics, P&IDs and refrigeration diagrams.
• Test electrical circuits, motors, contactors and safety devices.
• Monitor refrigeration systems via remote platforms.
• Ensure OHSA compliance.

Skills

Electrical fault-finding

Mechanical fault-finding

CO2 refrigeration systems

Commissioning controllers & VSDs

Reading P&IDs & electrical drawings

Microsoft Office

Education

Grade 12 (Matric)

Red Seal Refrigeration Mechanic (Trade Test)

SAQCC Gas Registration

Code B driver's license

Tools

Carel controllers

Danfoss controllers

Dixell controllers

Electronic expansion valves (EEVs)

Leak detection & nitrogen testing

Job description

Minimum Requirements:

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Qualified Refrigeration Mechanic (Red Seal Trade Test)
• Valid SAQCC Gas Registration
• Valid code B driver's license
• Minimum 5–10 years' experience in commercial and industrial refrigeration
• Proven experience in commissioning commercial refrigeration systems
• Practical experience with CO₂ (R744) refrigeration systems will be advantageous
• Strong electrical and mechanical fault-finding skills
• Experience commissioning refrigeration controllers and Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
• Ability to read refrigeration piping diagrams, P&IDs and electrical drawings
• Intermediate computer literacy (Microsoft Office)

Responsibilities:

• Assist Contractors with commissioning and servicing commercial and industrial refrigeration systems
• Commission CO₂ (R744) trans-critical refrigeration systems
• Commission refrigeration racks, cold rooms, freezer rooms, blast freezers, chillers and process cooling systems
• Carry out preventative maintenance in accordance with service schedules
• Attend emergency breakdowns and reactive service calls
• Diagnose and repair refrigeration, mechanical and electrical faults
• Replace compressors, evaporators, condensers, pressure vessels, valves, electronic expansion valves (EEVs), pressure transmitters, sensors, driers and associated refrigeration components
• Perform nitrogen pressure testing, leak detection, evacuation, refrigerant charging and refrigerant recovery
• Complete Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), commissioning and customer handovers
• Assist OEM Representatives during equipment commissioning and warranty start‑ups
• Commission, service, maintain and repair commercial, simplex and CO₂ (R744) trans‑critical refrigeration systems
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical and control system faults on commercial, simplex and CO₂ (R744) refrigeration systems
• Perform advanced fault finding and root cause analysis on refrigeration systems and associated equipment
• Configure refrigeration control systems, operating parameters and system control strategies
• Configure and commission electronic expansion valves (EEVs), gas cooler control strategies and flash gas bypass systems where applicable
• Diagnose and repair refrigeration electrical faults
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, refrigeration wiring diagrams and P&IDs
• Test electrical circuits, motors, contactors, overloads, relays and safety devices
• Install, commission and troubleshoot refrigeration electrical control systems
• Configure and commission electronic controllers including Carel, Danfoss, Dixell, Eliwell, and similar platforms
• Attend customer sites to investigate and rectify manufacturing defects reported on equipment
• Respond to warranty‑related job cards and service requests
• Perform fault finding on manufactured refrigeration systems, electrical control panels and mechanical assemblies
• Identify and repair refrigerant leaks, piping defects, electrical defects and workmanship‑related issues
• Conduct root cause analysis to determine equipment failures
• Report manufacturing defects, recurring failures and quality concerns to the Manufacturing
• Recommend design improvements to improve equipment reliability and serviceability
• Ensure compliance with the ISO 9001 Quality Management System
• Conduct quality inspections during installation, commissioning and maintenance activities
• Verify refrigeration piping, brazing, insulation, electrical wiring and equipment installations
• Provide technical leadership and support to Refrigeration Technicians
• Complete job cards accurately and within company time frames
• Complete commissioning reports, service reports, warranty investigation reports, quality inspection reports
• Monitor refrigeration systems using various remote monitoring platforms
• Provide technical support on commercial HVAC systems where required, including: rooftop packaged units, air handling u, split and ducted air conditioning systems, chilled water systems, commercial ventilation systems, HVAC commissioning, servicing and fault finding
• Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)