Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineer

Location:

Hertfordshire

Salary:

£40,000 - £50,000 DOE

What are we looking for:

Are you an experienced AC and refrigeration engineer looking to take your career to the next level with a dynamic, growing company? Universal Gas Solutions Ltd (UGS) is expanding its mechanical services division and we are seeking a skilled, self-motivated Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineer to join our team across Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties.

At UGS, we pride ourselves on delivering outstanding service across domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors. You will join a close-knit team of highly qualified engineers, benefit from a fully-equipped company vehicle, and have genuine opportunities for progression as we continue to grow.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience and qualifications
• Company van with fuel card (personal use considered)
• 22 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service
• Employer pension contribution
• Ongoing manufacturer and industry training & CPD support
• Call-out allowance and overtime opportunities
• Branded uniform and PPE provided
• Genuine career progression in a growing business
• Supportive, professional team environment

The Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Engineer is responsible for the installation, commissioning, planned preventative maintenance (PPM), fault diagnosis, and repair of a wide range of air conditioning and refrigeration systems across domestic, commercial, and light industrial sites. The post-holder will work as part of the UGS operations team, representing the company professionally at all times and delivering high-quality workmanship in accordance with all applicable industry regulations, standards, and company procedures.

Key Responsibilities

Installation & Commissioning

• Install, commission, and hand over a wide variety of air conditioning systems including split, multi-split, VRF/VRV, cassette, ceiling and floor-mounted, ducted, and commercial packaged systems
• Carry out full pipe work and refrigerant line fabrication and installation, electrical first-fix and final connection (to own scope of competence), and condensate drainage
• Commission all systems in accordance with manufacturer specifications, complete F-Gas records, and submit accurate commissioning documentation
• Accurately complete all installation job packs, risk assessments, and method statements prior to and upon completion of works

Maintenance & Service

• Undertake planned preventative maintenance (PPM) visits in accordance with contract schedules, completing detailed service records and reporting findings to the operations team
• Carry out reactive maintenance, fault finding, and repair across all system types, utilising diagnostic equipment to an advanced level
• Replace component parts including compressors, PCBs, fans, condensers, and refrigerant components as required, using appropriate recovery, reclaim, and recharge procedures
• Advise clients on system condition, energy efficiency improvements, and lifecycle planning

Heat Pumps & Renewables

• Install and maintain air source heat pump (ASHP) systems for space heating and domestic hot water applications, including associated controls and hot water cylinders
• Carry out commissioning of ASHP systems in compliance with MCS standards where applicable
• Provide technical guidance to clients regarding heat pump operation, efficiency, and integration with existing heating systems

Refrigeration

• Service and maintain commercial refrigeration systems including coldrooms, display cabinets, blast chillers, and walk-in freezers
• Diagnose and repair refrigeration faults, carry out leak testing, and manage all F-Gas obligations associated with refrigerant handling

Compliance & Administration

• Maintain full compliance with F-Gas Regulation (EC) 517/2014 and all associated record-keeping requirements
• Adhere to all health and safety legislation including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, CDM Regulations, and company-specific H&S policies
• Complete job sheets, timesheets, engineer reports, and handover documentation accurately and promptly via the company's job management system
• Carry out and document site-specific risk assessments and dynamic risk assessments as required
• Manage van stock levels, raising parts requests promptly and keeping the vehicle clean, organised, and roadworthy
• Attend toolbox talks, team meetings, and mandatory training as required

Requirements

All of the following are essential unless stated:

F-Gas & Refrigerant Handling

• City & Guilds 2079 F-Gas Category I Certificate (or equivalent REFCOM / ACRIB recognised qualification) - ESSENTIAL
• Current F-Gas qualification covering systems containing fluorinated greenhouse gases in accordance with Regulation (EU) 517/2014 as retained in UK law - ESSENTIAL

Air Conditioning & Heat Pump Qualifications

• City & Guilds 6187 (or equivalent) - Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems - ESSENTIAL
• NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, or equivalent recognised vocational qualification - ESSENTIAL
• MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accreditation or willingness to work towards under company sponsorship - DESIRABLE
• Manufacturer-specific training certification (e.g. Daikin, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Samsung, LG, Panasonic) - HIGHLY DESIRABLE

Electrical

• 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) - DESIRABLE; those without encouraged to apply if prepared to achieve
• City & Guilds 2391 or 2394/2395 (Inspection & Testing) - DESIRABLE

Health & Safety

• CSCS Card (Blue Skilled Worker or Gold Advanced Craftsperson minimum) - ESSENTIAL
• IPAF (Powered Access) Licence - DESIRABLE
• PASMA (Mobile Elevated Work Platform) - DESIRABLE
• Asbestos Awareness (Cat A) - ESSENTIAL
• Working at Height awareness training - ESSENTIAL
• Manual Handling certificate - ESSENTIAL

Driving

• Full UK Driving Licence with no more than 6 penalty points - ESSENTIAL

Experience

• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience working as an AC/refrigeration engineer in a field-based role - ESSENTIAL
• Proven hands-on experience installing, commissioning, servicing, and fault-finding across the full range of system types: split, multi-split, VRF/VRV, cassette, ceiling-mounted, floor-mounted, concealed ducted, commercial packaged units, and portable/spot coolers
• Demonstrated experience with air source heat pump systems - ESSENTIAL
• Experience working across both commercial and domestic environments
• Track record of managing own workload, prioritising reactive jobs, and meeting SLAs with minimal supervision
• Experience using digital job management or CAFM systems - DESIRABLE
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary engineering business alongside gas, plumbing, or electrical teams - DESIRABLE

Skills, Knowledge & Personal Attributes

Technical Skills

• Advanced fault diagnosis skills across AC, refrigeration, and heat pump systems
• Strong understanding of thermodynamic principles, refrigerant properties, and system design
• Competence in electrical fault finding relevant to AC and refrigeration systems
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, and manufacturer documentation
• Proficiency with diagnostic tools including manifold gauges, vacuum pumps, leak detectors, and multi-meters

Personal Attributes

• High standard of workmanship and professional pride in output quality
• Excellent communication skills - able to liaise professionally with clients, site managers, and internal teams
• Self-motivated and reliable with a strong attendance record
• Customer-focused with a positive, problem-solving attitude
• Comfortable working independently and as part of a team
• Flexible approach to working hours, including occasional out-of-hours emergency work
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and upskilling

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Field-based role covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and London - occasional travel further afield may be required
• Standard working hours Monday-Friday with scheduled on-call rota
• Work may involve confined spaces, working at height, handling refrigerants, and lifting equipment up to 25kg
• Clean and tidy work practices required; all sites to be left in an acceptable condition

To apply, email your CV to resourcing@universalgas.co.uk with the role title in the subject line.

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