Critical Environment Master HVAC Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a highly skilled Critical Environment Master HVAC Technician to join our growing Critical Facilities team. This position is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing complex mechanical systems that support mission-critical facilities operating 24/7/365.

The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert in critical cooling infrastructure and possesses extensive experience maintaining HVAC systems in environments where uptime, reliability, and safety are paramount. This individual will play a key role in ensuring continuous operation of mechanical systems while adhering to strict maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and customer service standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on mission-critical HVAC and mechanical systems.
• Diagnose and repair complex HVAC, refrigeration, and hydronic system issues with minimal downtime.
• Support commissioning activities for new mechanical installations and retrofits.
• Read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, sequence of operations, and control diagrams.
• Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) following equipment failures and recommend long-term corrective actions.
• Develop and execute Maintenance Operating Procedures (MOPs), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs).
• Monitor equipment performance using Building Management Systems and trend data.
• Respond to emergency service calls while maintaining uptime requirements.
• Coordinate with electrical, controls, engineering, and operations teams during maintenance activities.
• Mentor junior technicians and provide technical leadership during complex repairs.
• Ensure all work complies with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, ASHRAE, and company safety standards.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records utilizing CMMS software.
• Strictly adhere to customer and company safety and security protocols throughout the conduct of job responsibilities

Maintain and troubleshoot:

• Chilled Water Systems
• Air-Cooled Chillers
• Water-Cooled Chillers
• Cooling Towers
• Fluid Coolers
• CRAC Units
• CRAH Units
• In-Row Cooling Systems
• Rear Door Heat Exchangers
• DX (Direct Expansion) Systems
• Pumps and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• Heat Exchangers
• Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS)

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED (Technical Degree preferred)
• EPA Universal Refrigeration Certification
• Minimum 10+ years of commercial or industrial HVAC experience Preferred
• Minimum 3 years supporting mission-critical facilities or data centers
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills up to 480V (preferred)
• Experience working with redundant N+1 and 2N cooling systems
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and sequence of operations
• Proficient with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong sense of customer service and proactive communication

Advanced knowledge of:

• Mechanical refrigeration cycles
• Chilled water systems
• Psychrometric Properties
• Hydronic systems
• HVAC controls
• BAS/BMS platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Journeyman or Master HVAC Certification
• HVAC Trade School Certification
• Experience supporting Tier III or Tier IV Data Centers
• Knowledge of ASHRAE Thermal Guidelines for Data Processing Environments
• Familiarity with server liquid cooling technologies, including direct-to-chip and liquid immersion cooling, is considered a plus.
• Experience with commissioning and retro-commissioning
• OSHA 30 Certification
• NFPA 70E Training
• Experience working in live critical environments

Experience with:

• Schneider Electric
• Vertiv
• Stulz
• Liebert
• Trane
• Carrier
• Daikin
• Johnson Controls
• Siemens
• Honeywell Controls

Technical Skills

• Advanced HVAC Diagnostics
• Refrigeration Systems
• Mechanical Controls
• BAS/BMS Programming & Monitoring
• VFD Troubleshooting
• Pump Alignment
• Cooling Tower Maintenance
• Chiller Optimization
• Hydronic Balancing
• Root Cause Analysis
• Predictive Maintenance Technologies
• Infrared Thermography
• Vibration Analysis
• Energy Efficiency Optimization

Core Competencies

• Safety First Mindset
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Customer Focus
• Team Leadership
• Strong Communication Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Decision Making Under Pressure
• Continuous Improvement
• Professionalism

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 75 pounds
• Ability to climb ladders and work on rooftops
• Ability to work in hot, cold, and confined spaces
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods
• Ability to participate in an on-call rotation
• Ability to travel up to 25%

Why Join Our Team?

• Competitive Salary
• Annual Performance Bonus
• Company Vehicle (where applicable)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Ongoing Technical Training
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Opportunity to work in some of the most advanced mission-critical facilities in the industry

Ideal Candidate Profile

The successful candidate is an experienced HVAC professional who thrives in high-performance environments where reliability is non-negotiable. They possess deep technical expertise in critical cooling infrastructure, excel under pressure, and are passionate about maintaining the systems that keep today's digital infrastructure running. They demonstrate leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to operational excellence while mentoring others and continuously improving facility performance.

Why Join Kelso Industries?

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.

Here you will experience:

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.

Company Culture: You'll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable.

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day.

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You'll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being.

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business