Position Summary
The Senior Refrigeration Engineer manages multiple, complex refrigeration projects for clients within the supermarket industry. This role is responsible for establishing project budgets, defining scopes of work, and managing schedules to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget. The Senior Refrigeration Engineer works directly with clients and leads multi-disciplinary internal and external teams throughout design and construction.
In addition to technical leadership, this role provides mentorship and development for junior engineers and serves as a senior-level resource for issue resolution and client consultation.
Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Client Engagement
- Manage multiple concurrent refrigeration projects from design through construction completion
- Establish project budgets, scopes of work, schedules, and execution plans
- Serve as a primary point of contact for clients requiring senior-level technical consultation
- Collaborate closely with clients to plan construction programs and identify opportunities for expanded scope or services
- Monitor project progress to ensure adherence to budget, schedule, and quality expectations
Engineering Design & Technical Oversight
- Design and coordinate refrigeration, HVAC, and Energy Management Systems (EMS) for new and remodeled supermarket stores
- Prepare refrigeration plans, including pipe sizing, circuit grouping, equipment selection, specifications, and layouts
- Develop refrigeration system designs using AutoCAD and shared workflow platforms
- Coordinate refrigeration designs with Energy Management, Store Planning, Architectural, and Engineering teams
- Identify construction sequencing requirements and temporary connections necessary to support installation schedules
Construction & Vendor Coordination
- Coordinate refrigeration-related construction activities and resolve field issues during installation
- Review and assess installation quality and workmanship in the field
- Prepare bid packages, including project-specific modifications to standard refrigeration and walk-in specifications
- Select contractors and vendors for smaller projects
- Evaluate contractor performance related to quality, cost, and schedule
Equipment Procurement & Technology Evaluation
- Purchase refrigeration equipment and approve equipment invoices as authorized
- Issue equipment requisitions to the purchasing department for large or complex orders
- Coordinate and resolve equipment quality, delivery, and installation issues
- Research, evaluate, and implement new refrigeration and HVAC technologies to optimize performance, energy efficiency, maintenance, environmental impact, and cost
- Assess new equipment, vendors, and contractors for suitability and long-term value
- Collaborate with vendors to develop equipment that meets performance, reliability, and merchandising requirements
Team Leadership & Mentorship
- Mentor, train, and support the professional development of junior engineers
- Serve as a primary escalation point for technical and project-related issue resolution
- Provide oversight and guidance to ensure team projects remain on track for budget and schedule compliance
Additional Responsibilities
- Prepare project budgeting and scheduling of projects within the team
- Collaborate and Plan Construction Programs with the client, developing and pursing stronger relationships and additional scope/responsibilities with the client
- Mentor junior engineers and provide primary point of contact regarding issue resolution; monitor projects to ensure budgets and timelines are met
- Provide point of contact for client needs requiring senior level consultation
- Select contractor or vendor for small projects
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field or a minimum of 5 years of experience within the refrigeration industry
- Significant experience with commercial refrigeration systems, including HVAC and Energy Management Systems (EMS)
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD
- Experience using shared workflow and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Bluebeam
- Prior experience in a leadership, mentoring, or supervisory capacity
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, particularly in client-facing environments
- Proven analytical skills with strong attention to detail
- Ability to travel up to 25%
Skills & Competencies
- Strong technical expertise in commercial and supermarket refrigeration systems
- Working knowledge of HVAC and EMS integration
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
- Demonstrated leadership and mentorship capability
- Strong customer service and client relationship management skills
- Solid understanding of construction sequencing and field coordination
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to evaluate and balance technical, financial, and operational considerations
- High level of organization, accountability, and professionalism
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within cross-functional teams
About Cbes
City Building Engineering Services (CBES) is a leading integrated professional services firm supporting technical requirements and sustainable solutions for the retail and related industries. Utilizing our vast array of in-house resources, CBES experts tackle the most challenging projects from inception to completion, including project design, engineering, construction and commissioning. Our integrated team provides unique value serving our clients and our climate.
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK AT CBES?
CBES is part of a global network of leading professional services, infrastructure management, and data-driven sustainability solutions firms for starters. We offer a generous benefits package that includes 28 days of PTO along with a 401(k) with immediate vesting and company match.
We don’t just hire anyone at CBES; we’re looking for team members with a deep sense of responsibility, an ability to collaborate, a desire to learn and grow, a willingness to always lend a helping hand.
When you join CBES, you’re committing to making a difference. We make a commitment to you too – helping you embark on a career with purpose! Whether through our world-classes training or our Leadership Development framework – CBES cares passionately about the people we hire and ensures that growth is always on the horizon.
Wondering if this is the place for you to take the next step in your career? If you put clients first, care passionately about what you do and are committed to working on a team that respects each other, this is the place for you!
So, if you’re ready to get started, let’s go!
CBES is An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer. The Company has a Drug-Free Workplace Policy in effect that is strictly adhered to.