Lead Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Engineer

OverviewAbout The Company: OCS UK and Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering. Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.

About the Role:

Working Days:

Monday to Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Role Summary:

We are seeking a highly experienced and technically proficient Lead Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer to join our mobile technical services team. This senior-level role is ideal for a time-served engineer with extensive experience in large-scale refrigeration and HVAC systems, who is also passionate about mentoring and supporting the development of junior engineers. You will lead by example in delivering advanced technical services, supporting complex installations, and ensuring compliance across a diverse portfolio of commercial sites. You will also play a key role in knowledge sharing, technical guidance, and continuous improvement within the team.

ResponsibilitiesTechnical Leadership and Mentorship

Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior and mid-level engineers.

Support training and development initiatives, including on-the-job coaching and technical troubleshooting guidance.

Act as a point of escalation for complex technical issues and assist in root cause analysis and resolution.

Advanced Service and Maintenance

Lead planned and reactive maintenance, servicing, and repairs on:

Large-scale VRV/VRF systems

Central plant refrigeration systems

Chillers, cold rooms, and multi-compressor systems

Advanced AHUs, heat pumps, and integrated HVAC systems

Diagnose and resolve faults across electrical, mechanical, and refrigerant systems with a focus on long-term reliability and performance.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

Ensure all works meet or exceed F-Gas and ODS regulations, technical standards, and manufacturer specifications.

Conduct quality audits and support continuous improvement in service delivery and compliance.

Promote and enforce safe working practices across all operational activities.

Documentation and Reporting

Review and validate service documentation, inspection reports, and remedial work records.

Provide technical feedback and improvement suggestions to internal teams and clients.

Use digital tools (PDA/mobile apps) to manage workflow, reporting, and communication.

Client Engagement and Collaboration

Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, offering expert advice and reassurance.

Collaborate with internal teams to support project planning, mobilisation, and service enhancements.

Represent the technical team in client meetings and site reviews when required.

Emergency Support and Escalation

Participate in the emergency on-call rota and provide senior-level support during critical incidents.

Lead or support emergency response efforts, ensuring rapid resolution and minimal disruption.

Requirements

Time-served apprenticeship in Refrigeration/Air Conditioning

City and Guilds Level 3 NVQ or equivalent in HVAC, Refrigeration, or Mechanical Engineering

F-Gas and ODS Regulations (Category 1 – 2079)

Minimum 5–10 years of hands-on experience in commercial HVAC/R systems

Proven experience with large-scale refrigeration systems and central plant equipment

Strong understanding of Health and Safety legislation and Permit to Work systems

Experience mentoring or supervising engineering teams

Excellent fault-finding and diagnostic skills

Proficient in using digital reporting tools and mobile apps

Strong communication and leadership skills

Full UK driving licence

How to ApplyIf you are interested in joining a business that encourages professional development, career progression and the chance to work with inspirational people then please click apply and register your interest! You can also sign up to our job alerts when registering which will notify you when other suitable vacancies are available.

We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or ..... full job details .....