Commercial HVAC Lead Technician

Commercial HVAC Lead Technician

Position Summary

We are hiring a Commercial HVAC Lead Technician to take ownership of complex installations, start-ups, controls integration, and service work across our active project portfolio. This is a senior, fully hands-on field role for a technician who can install, troubleshoot, commission, and service commercial HVAC systems independently — and who can clearly communicate with both our field crews and our clients.

The right candidate is a strong problem-solver, a confident communicator, an expert in controls and interlocking, and someone who takes pride in delivering systems that work right the first time.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $110,000 – $130,000 per year, based on experience
• Schedule: Full-time, with occasional overtime and Saturday work as required by project schedules
• Company Vehicle: Provided (van/truck) with company gas card and EZ-Pass
• Benefits:
• 401(k) retirement plan
• 1 week (5 days) paid vacation after 1 year
• 5 paid sick days per year (NY Paid Sick Leave compliance)
• New York Paid Family Leave benefits
• Company-observed holidays
• Company-provided phone and tablet

Key Responsibilities

Installation

• Lead and execute installations of commercial HVAC systems, including:
• Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHP)
• Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems
• Rooftop Units (RTUs)
• Dedicated Outside Air Systems (DOAS)
• Air handling units, fan coil units, ductwork tie-ins
• Coordinate with project foremen and field crews to ensure systems are installed per drawings, specifications, and manufacturer requirements

Controls & System Integration

• Wire, configure, and interlock HVAC equipment including dampers, fans, air curtains, exhaust systems, and unit heaters
• Install and integrate sensors (CO2, temperature, humidity, occupancy, pressure), time clocks, relays, transformers, contactors
• Set up and commission VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives)
• Install and balance VAV boxes and zone control systems
• Integrate leak detection systems and refrigerant safety controls
• Coordinate with controls subcontractors (BMS, ALC, etc.) on system handoff and integration

Troubleshooting & Service

• Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, and controls-related issues on commercial HVAC systems
• Respond to service calls and complete repairs with minimal supervision
• Identify root causes — not just symptoms — and document findings clearly
• Work directly with manufacturers' technical support when needed

Start-Up & Commissioning

• Lead system start-ups and commissioning, including unit testing, balancing checks, sequence-of-operation verification, and punchlist closeout
• Prepare and submit clean, professional start-up reports
• Coordinate with Test & Balance contractors and commissioning agents
• Sign off on completed scopes with confidence and documentation

Field Coordination & Communication

• Meet with field foremen and crews to walk through upcoming work and explain how to prepare systems for start-up, testing, and final inspections
• Communicate clearly and professionally with General Contractors, Project Managers, Owners, and Architects
• Write detailed, accurate, and well-organized service and start-up reports
• Represent Northern Wolves with intelligence, clarity, and professionalism on every jobsite

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of hands-on commercial HVAC experience, with at least 4 years in a lead or senior technician role
• Proven expertise installing and commissioning WSHP, VRF, RTU, and DOAS systems
• Strong electrical and controls background — must be able to wire, troubleshoot, and interlock HVAC equipment independently
• Solid working knowledge of VFDs, VAV boxes, sensors (CO2, temperature, pressure), time clocks, relays, transformers, and refrigerant leak detection
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and controls drawings, schematics, and submittals
• Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong written communication — must be able to produce clean, clear service and start-up reports
• Strong verbal communication — must be able to engage professionally with clients, GCs, architects, and owners
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

Required Licenses & Certifications

• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification
• NYC FDNY G-60 (Gas Qualification — Refrigerant Systems)
• NYC FDNY F-60 (Fire Safety / Refrigerant Systems)
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety
• NYC Site Safety Training (SST) Card

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with BMS / building automation systems (Automated Logic, Siemens, Honeywell, Distech, Tridium/Niagara)
• Manufacturer-specific training on major equipment (Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Trane, Carrier, AAON, ClimateMaster, etc.)
• Experience working on NYC commercial projects
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/Russian) is a plus
• Experience training and mentoring junior technicians

Who Will Succeed In This Role

You will thrive at Northern Wolves if you are:

• A true craftsman. You take pride in your work and you don't leave a system until it's right.
• A problem-solver. You don't just swap parts — you understand why something failed and fix the root cause.
• A strong communicator. You can talk to a building engineer, an architect, and a helper on the jobsite — and each one walks away knowing exactly what you mean.
• Accountable. When you take on a job, it gets done. People can count on you.
• Eager to lead. You want to be the senior tech the company and the field team can rely on.