Sr. Refrigeration Engineer/Designer

Job Description

Our Scarborough based client provides industrial chilling, pumping, and freezing equipment for industrial temperature control needs.  They are looking for a Senior Refrigeration Engineer/Designer who can design robust refrigeration systems that meet customers' cooling needs. 
 
Role Summary:

• Evaluate customers' process to determine their cooling requirements (load profiles, safety and operability constraints). 
• Design complete refrigeration systems and controls strategies that meet customer requirements in the real life. 
• Support commissioning and troubleshooting in the field to ensure systems perform as designed and root cause any issues. 

 
This role is ideal for an individual who has experience and a deep understanding of both:

• Design of refrigeration systems and thermodynamics principles. 
• Field installation, commissioning and integration of refrigeration systems into customers' process. 

 
Who You Are:

• You enjoy seeing your designs run in the field and are comfortable putting on a hard hat to figure out why something isn't working. 
• You like project ownership from project definition through design and commissioning. 
• You like collaborating with Sales, Service, and Controls and you can speak everyone's language. 

 
Key Responsibilities: 

Applications and Sales Support:

• Evaluate and understand customer process requirements, operating profiles (continuous vs batch, pull-down vs steady load), and constraints. 
• Verify Sales' proposal by performing cooling load, energy balance, and equipment sizing calculations. 
• Support sales during bidding phase by providing technical insight and performance estimates. 
• Design skidded or built-up refrigeration systems and process chillers using HFC/HFO and ammonia. 
• Define system operating envelopes, setpoints, and capacity-control strategies (VFDs, slide valves, cylinder unloading, etc.). 
• Develop and review process flows and P&IDs for new systems and major retrofits. 

 
Controls and Equipment Operation:

• Develop clear controls narratives that link process requirements to system behavior and setpoints. 
• Work with PLC programmer to define sequences of operation, alarm strategies, and interlocks that protect equipment and product. 
• Provide input to PLC/HMI logic to ensure the system operates safely, efficiently, and is protected against potential misuse. - Support commissioning teams by validating design intent, tuning control loops, and resolving startup issues to ensure the system meets customer requirements. 

 
Project Execution & Documentation:

• Produce and/or review technical documentation: design reports, datasheets, equipment schedules, and O&M manuals. 
• Work with CAD / design teams to review GA layouts and skid designs for serviceability, piping practices, and constructability. 
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs / risk assessments, and value-engineering sessions. 
• Provide technical support to project managers, manufacturing, and procurement when design changes or substitutions are required. 

 
Customer Support & Life-Cycle Involvement:

• Support the service team with root-cause analysis of chronic system issues (capacity shortfalls, nuisance trips, oil management, poor pull-down, etc.). 
• Recommend and scope upgrade projects (retrofits, controls upgrades, capacity expansions, efficiency improvements). 
• Provide occasional training to customer operators and internal teams on refrigeration system operation and best practices. 

 
Safety, Codes & Compliance:

• Ensure designs comply with relevant codes and standards, including CSA B52, ASHRAE 15, applicable building and mechanical codes, and provincial regulatory requirements. 
• Incorporate safety devices, relief systems, and safe operating procedures into system design. 
• Contribute to internal engineering standards and design guidelines. 

 
Qualifications: 

Must-Have:

• 8+ years of experience in industrial or commercial refrigeration system design, applications engineering, or installation/commissioning technical support. 
• Demonstrated experience designing complete refrigeration systems and being involvement in system integration with customer processes. 
• Strong understanding of refrigeration cycles, compressor performance, superheat control, oil management, and refrigeration controls. 
• Proficiency in reading and producing P&IDs, control narratives, and general arrangement drawings. 
• Familiarity with Canadian codes and standards related to refrigeration (e.g., CSA B52, ASHRAE 15, provincial regulations, ASME B31.3 and B31.5). 
• Strong communication skills and ability to explain complex technical concepts to people in different teams (Sales, Production, Service, Field Technicians, Management). 

 
Nice-to-Have/Assets:

• Licensed P.Eng in Ontario. 
• Journeyperson Refrigeration Mechanic (e.g., 313A) or significant hands-on commissioning / service experience. 
• Experience with PLC/HMI platforms (e.g., Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider) and BMS integration. 
• Experience with industrial refrigeration using natural refrigerants (NH₃, CO₂) in addition to Freon systems. 
• Familiarity with selection tools and software from major compressor and component manufacturers. 

Personal Attributes:

• Practical mindset: balances theoretical optimization with reliability, maintainability, and cost. 
• Structured problem solver with a "find the root cause" approach rather than treating symptoms. 
• Comfortable taking ambiguous requirements and turning them into clear engineering requirements. 
• Collaborative: enjoys working with Sales, Controls, Service, and Manufacturing teams. 
• Mentoring mindset: willing to guide junior engineers and technologists. 
• Self-motivated: you are curious, take initiative, and genuinely enjoy industrial refrigeration and process cooling. 

 
Work Environment & Travel:

• Based in Scarborough, Ontario. 100% in office. 
• Occasional travel to job sites within GTA (~4% travel). Site visits may include cold environments, rooftops, mechanical rooms, and industrial plants; appropriate PPE and training provided. 

 
Compensation: Competitive base salary and profit sharing, Benefits (health/dental/vision, RRSP matching).