HVAC Engineering Lab Technician

Power the Future of Cooling:
Become the Technical Expert Behind Mission-Critical Chillers

Location :
Charlotte, NC Schedule: 1st shift and 2nd shifts available + occasional OT |
Payrate: starting at $36/hour

Are you an experienced HVAC professional who thrives on hands-on troubleshooting, complex machinery, and high-stakes technical challenges ?
PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the HVAC manufacturing industry to find an HVAC Engineering Staff Lab Technician who can keep critical chiller testing moving during an important production ramp-up.

This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you'll serve as the lab's technical detective -executing tests, diagnosing equipment failures, maintaining sophisticated infrastructure, and ensuring commercial chillers meet rigorous quality and reliability standards before reaching customers.

Make an Impact Where Reliability Matters

You'll work directly with water-cooled and air-cooled commercial chillers supporting applications where dependable cooling is essential, including hospitals and data centers.

From high-flow hydronic pumping systems to high-power electrical equipment, you'll operate in a fast-paced testing environment where your technical judgment and troubleshooting skills can directly impact productivity, quality, and customer confidence.

If you enjoy figuring out why something isn't working—and knowing exactly what to do next—this is your opportunity to put that expertise to work.

As an HVAC Engineering Staff Lab Technician, you will:

• Execute Test Runs: Set up and conduct chiller test runs, install instrumentation such as flow meters and pressure sensors, and monitor data acquisition systems.
• Troubleshoot Complex Systems: Diagnose failures involving PLCs, VFDs, instrumentation, and other mechanical/electrical systems to minimize test-lab downtime.
• Apply Electrical Expertise: Safely operate and troubleshoot equipment, including 460V / 3-phase / 60
  
  Hz machinery
  .
• Perform Precision Calibration: Use and calibrate laboratory equipment for pressure, temperature, flow, and electrical measurements.
• Optimize Controls: Perform loop tuning and configure valves to support accurate and reliable testing.
• Monitor Critical Infrastructure: Oversee support systems including boilers, cooling towers, and high-pressure pumping systems.
• Support Refrigerant Operations: Maintain required EPA certification and follow appropriate refrigerant-handling practices.
• Protect Quality & Reliability: Serve as a critical checkpoint for chiller performance before products leave the facility.
• Champion Safety: Follow and reinforce EHS requirements, 5S standards, arc flash procedures, and lockout/tagout practices.
• Keep Production Moving: Investigate problems quickly, coordinate repairs, and proactively identify opportunities to improve lab productivity and reliability.

• High School Diploma or GED.
• 5+ years of experience servicing and/or maintaining commercial HVAC equipment.
• Strong hands-on mechanical and troubleshooting abilities.
• Ability to work safely around complex mechanical and electrical equipment.
• A proactive approach to diagnosing problems and keeping operations moving.

Candidates with the following experience or credentials are especially encouraged to apply:

• 5+ years of specialized chiller/HVAC operations and station maintenance experience
  , or 5+ years working in a laboratory environment with high-power mechanical and electrical machinery.
• AS or AAS in Mechatronics Engineering Technology or a related technical field.
• Completion of a formal Skilled Trades Apprenticeship
  .
• Comprehensive knowledge of high-voltage and high-power electrical safety
  .
• Proficiency with Arc Flash safety protocols and medium-voltage operations.
• Ex…