Ammonia Refrigeration Technician
Location: Sterling, VA / Alexandria, VA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $51,000 annually
About the Organization
Our client is an established and growing food manufacturing and culinary solutions organization serving customers across the United States. The organization operates sophisticated, high-volume food production facilities where food safety, quality, operational excellence, and employee safety are top priorities.
The company utilizes complex industrial refrigeration and utility systems to support its manufacturing operations and is seeking a skilled Ammonia Refrigeration Technician to help maintain safe, reliable, and efficient refrigeration and utility operations at its Virginia facilities.
Position Overview
The Ammonia Refrigeration Technician will be responsible for operating, monitoring, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and related utility equipment.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in an industrial refrigeration or food manufacturing environment, strong knowledge of ammonia refrigeration systems, and a solid understanding of safety, PSM, GMP, SOP, and LOTO requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate, test, troubleshoot, and repair ammonia refrigeration systems, subsystems, and related equipment.
- Perform planned and preventive maintenance on ammonia refrigeration and utility systems.
- Operate and maintain spiral freezers and associated refrigeration equipment.
- Perform ammonia system pump-downs for repair or replacement of refrigeration components.
- Conduct daily rounds and inspections of refrigeration equipment and utility systems.
- Monitor system temperatures, pressures, equipment conditions, and overall system performance.
- Perform chemical testing on boilers and condenser towers.
- Maintain refrigeration, utility, and equipment rooms according to established safety and maintenance standards.
- Complete required PSM documentation, work orders, inspection records, and refrigeration operating logs.
- Maintain and digitize refrigeration, maintenance, and ammonia-related records.
- Troubleshoot basic electrical and electronic systems associated with refrigeration and utility equipment.
- Assist with maintenance of boilers, hot water systems, domestic cold water systems, and compressed air systems.
- Follow all company safety policies, GMPs, SOPs, PSM requirements, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
- Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work environment.
- Work independently with minimal supervision while collaborating effectively with the maintenance and operations teams.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance/Refrigeration Manager.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of ammonia refrigeration experience in an industrial refrigeration environment.
- Experience in a food manufacturing facility is highly preferred.
- GCAP or RETA Ammonia Certification is required.
- EPA Type II Certification is required.
- Strong knowledge of operating, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
- Experience with boilers, hot water, domestic cold water, and compressed air systems.
- Basic knowledge of general maintenance, electrical, and electronic systems.
- Knowledge of PSM, GMPs, SOPs, and LOTO requirements.
- Ability to complete a respirator fit test and pulmonary function test.
- Ability to complete a 24-hour Hazmat class.
- Strong safety awareness and ability to follow established procedures.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience operating and maintaining spiral freezers.
- Previous experience in a high-volume food manufacturing or food processing facility.
- Experience with refrigeration pump-downs and component replacement.
- Experience with PSM documentation and ammonia refrigeration recordkeeping.
- Experience performing preventive maintenance on industrial refrigeration systems.
- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
What You Can Expect
- Work in a sophisticated food manufacturing environment with complex industrial refrigeration and utility systems.
- Opportunity to work with experienced maintenance and refrigeration professionals.
- A safety-focused workplace where food safety, equipment reliability, and operational excellence are highly valued.
- Full-time employment with competitive hourly compensation.
Important: Candidates must meet the required ammonia refrigeration certification and EPA certification requirements to be considered.
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