Refrigeration Specialist (Engineer)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead refrigeration engineering specialist on facility design projects.
• Develop refrigeration system concepts, calculations, specifications, and detailed designs for a variety of industrial and commercial applications.
• Perform refrigeration load calculations, system modeling, equipment sizing, and energy analyses.
• Provide expertise in ammonia, CO₂, glycol, HFC/HFO, and other refrigeration technologies.
• Support refrigeration equipment selection, system optimization, load analysis, and energy modeling efforts.
• Establish and maintain refrigeration design standards, best practices, and technical resources for project teams.
• Review engineering deliverables to ensure compliance with client requirements, industry standards, and applicable codes.
• Lead refrigeration system design activities throughout planning, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Cook up refrigeration designs with mechanical, electrical, process, structural, architectural, and controls disciplines.
• Prepare and review: Refrigeration load calculations Equipment schedules Piping layouts and P&IDs Technical specifications: Basis of Design documents Construction drawings and details
• Support project cost estimating, scheduling, and risk assessments.
• Participate in design reviews, constructability evaluations, and value engineering efforts.
• Collaborate directly with clients to understand operational requirements and business objectives.
• Present technical solutions and recommendations to clients, stakeholders, and project teams.
• Support proposal development, technical presentations, and business development activities.
• Act as a trusted advisor on refrigeration system performance, sustainability, reliability, and operational excellence.
• Provide construction administration and technical support during installation and startup.
• Participate in field investigations, facility assessments, troubleshooting, and system commissioning.
• Review contractor submittals, RFIs, and equipment shop drawings.
• Aid in performance testing and validation of refrigeration systems.

Qualifications

• Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:
  • Technical expertise in refrigeration and thermal systems.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Ability to evaluate emerging refrigeration technologies and industry trends.
  • Project leadership and cross-functional collaboration skills.
  • Client-focused consulting mindset.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to engineering quality.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced project environment.
• Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • 6+ years of experience in refrigeration system design, engineering, or consulting.
  • Strong knowledge of industrial and commercial refrigeration systems and equipment.
  • Experience with refrigeration load calculations, piping design, equipment selection, and controls integration.
  • Working knowledge of applicable codes and standards including IIAR, ASHRAE, International Mechanical Code (IMC), and other relevant industry standards.
  • Proficiency with engineering calculations, design software, and BIM/CAD platforms.
  • Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.
  • IIAR Certification or related refrigeration industry credentials.
  • Experience with: Ammonia refrigeration systems Transcritical and subcritical CO₂ systems Cold storage and food processing facilities Pharmaceutical and bioprocess environments Semiconductor, battery, or advanced manufacturing facilities
  • Experience leading engineering teams and mentoring junior engineers.
  • Energy efficiency, sustainability, or decarbonization project experience.