HVAC Installation & Repair Senior Technician

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

1d•$55,000 - $63,000•Onsite

About The Position

The HVAC Installation/Repair Senior Technician serves as an advanced-level technical expert responsible for the installation, operation, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of a complex portfolio of university HVAC and chilled water systems. This role ensures occupant comfort, proper space pressurization, optimized system performance, and reduced facility operating costs across critical campus infrastructure. This position requires significant experience working with large-scale and sophisticated mechanical systems, including rooftop package units, split systems, VRF systems, refrigeration systems (coolers and freezers), chillers, cooling towers, pumps, controls, and specialty refrigeration equipment such as ice machines and small appliances. The Senior Technician applies advanced diagnostic and analytical skills to evaluate system performance, identify inefficiencies, and implement effective solutions. The incumbent leads a two-person crew, providing day-to-day direction, oversight, and quality assurance of work performed. This role also serves as a mentor to less experienced technicians, fostering skill development, reinforcing best practices, and promoting a culture of safety and technical excellence. The Senior Technician routinely analyzes complex interrelationships between HVAC components and systems, interprets technical drawings and schematics, and ensures proper system integration and operation—particularly for equipment not directly interfaced with the university’s building automation system. This role collaborates closely with customers, Facilities partners, and contractors to verify installations, troubleshoot issues, and maintain system reliability. Success in this role requires advanced knowledge of HVAC and refrigeration systems, strong mechanical aptitude, and expert-level troubleshooting capabilities. The reliable operation of these systems is mission-critical to the university’s teaching, research, and operational objectives.

Requirements

Must have or be able to obtain a Journeyman’s or Masters license in HVAC or Electrical, within eleven months of hire date; OR current Journey or Master level licensing agreement (reciprocity) from another jurisdiction as approved by the Virginia Board for Contractors. Incumbent will have 6 months from hire date to acquire a Virginia license if they currently hold a license from a reciprocal jurisdiction.
Must possess an EPA Universal Refrigeration Certification.
Significant Journeyman-level experience in the operation, maintenance, installation, and repair of chilled water and advanced HVAC systems. Experience comprehending and analyzing complex interrelationships between multiple HVAC components.
Experience working from drawings, schematics, blueprints, and job layouts.
Experience working with a variety of hand tools.
Must have the ability to interact with customers, Facilities’ partners, and contractors to verify systems are installed and operating properly.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and is required to operate a motor vehicle daily.
Due to emergency call-in requirements, must be able to arrive on campus within one hour.
Ability to safely move and handle heavy objects weighing 50 pounds; climb and work from elevated workstations such as ladders and scaffolds; maneuver and work in tight spaces; and work for considerable periods of time standing, sitting, walking, reaching, bending pushing/pulling, and doing repetitive movement with tools, equipment and computer keyboarding.
Must have excellent communication skills, good teamwork skills, and be able to understand, comprehend and follow directions in the workplace.
Experience using a computer to perform functions such as email
Must be able to work in all types of weather conditions, including extreme temperatures.
May be required to work additional hours/shifts to meet the needs of the department.
This is a designated emergency personnel position.

Nice To Haves

Advanced technical training, education, or significant experience in HVAC, refrigeration, and building automation controls. Working knowledge of the operation of chillers, cooling towers, water treatment chemicals, chilled water systems.
Experience leading others.
Works under minimal supervision.
Responsible for training and orienting new employees.
Experience configuring and integrating various manufacturer graphical user interfaces and field level controllers using systems that are not interfaced with the university’s building automation system.
Verifiable experience in the repair and maintenance in a large institution or commercial facility with complex infrastructure systems with hands on experience troubleshooting and calibrating systems that are not interfaced with the university’s building automation system.
Familiarity with utilizing and/or operating a building automation system such as Siemens Apogee Insight or Desigo CC systems.