Senior Refrigeration Engineer - Cold Storage Leader (Hybrid)

Placements24; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Performance-based bonuses

International training & certification

Advanced diagnostic tools

Hybrid work accommodation/travel

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Refrigeration Engineer to oversee critical cold storage operations in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will lead technicians, drive maintenance programs, and ensure safety and environmental compliance across ammonia and Freon systems.

The role demands strong leadership, deep refrigeration knowledge, and the ability to optimize performance within a demanding cold-chain environment. Competitive compensation and opportunities for international training are offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years in industrial refrigeration engineering with at least 3 years in leadership.
• Deep knowledge of industrial refrigeration, thermodynamics, and heat transfer.
• Experience with ammonia refrigeration systems is highly desirable.
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair large refrigeration units, compressors, condensers, and evaporators.
• Strong understanding of electrical and control systems in refrigeration machinery.
• Excellent leadership, team management, and communication skills.
• Knowledge of safety standards (e.g., OSHA) and local environmental regulations.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively.
• Familiarity with CMMS is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a team of refrigeration technicians in installation, maintenance, and repair of industrial refrigeration systems.
• Develop, implement, and manage preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
• Conduct performance analysis of refrigeration systems for optimization.
• Ensure adherence to safety protocols and environmental regulations.
• Manage spare parts inventory and timely procurement.
• Troubleshoot malfunctions, diagnose root causes, and implement solutions.
• Collaborate with operations and logistics for seamless integration with supply chain.
• Oversee major repair projects and new equipment installations, ensuring on-time delivery and budget compliance.
• Provide technical guidance and training to team members.
• Prepare detailed reports on system performance and maintenance costs.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Refrigeration Engineer to oversee critical cold storage operations in Cape Town, Western Cape. You will lead technicians, drive maintenance programs, and ensure safety and environmental compliance across ammonia and Freon systems.

The role demands strong leadership, deep refrigeration knowledge, and the ability to optimize performance within a demanding cold-chain environment. Competitive compensation and opportunities for international training are offered.