How to hire a refrigeration engineer

How to hire a refrigeration engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step refrigeration engineer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a refrigeration engineer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new refrigeration engineer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a refrigeration engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The refrigeration engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A refrigeration engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, refrigeration engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents refrigeration engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Refrigeration Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Refrigeration Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$29-60
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Design Engineer Internship	When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects... Show more	$18-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Freon
   • Plumbing
   • Absorption
   • A/C
   • Brazing
   • Autocad
   • Hand Tools
   • Industrial Refrigeration
   • OSHA
   • Ventilation
   • Water Systems
   • Emergency Repairs
   • Cooling Towers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Contribute PowerShell functions to a PowerShell module used to automate software upgrades.
   • Establish the best quality and cost effective components such as compressors, evaporators, condensers, fan motors etc.
   • Maintain steam boilers, air compressors and building HVAC's requirements.
   • Repair water leaks, plumbing, kitchen fixtures and water filters.
   • Leak test, evacuate, re-cover and charge freon on refrigeration system.
   • Fix and maintain all plumbing, kitchen equipment, fire protection equipment and electrical works.

   More refrigeration engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your refrigeration engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A refrigeration engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a refrigeration engineer in Iowa may be lower than in California, and an entry-level refrigeration engineer usually earns less than a senior-level refrigeration engineer. Additionally, a refrigeration engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average refrigeration engineer salary

   $88,921yearly

   $42.75 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level refrigeration engineer salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average refrigeration engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$126,765	$61
   2	Colorado	$104,784	$50
   3	Texas	$97,797	$47
   4	Washington	$97,396	$47
   5	Nevada	$96,779	$47
   6	Massachusetts	$91,653	$44
   7	Maryland	$90,847	$44
   8	North Carolina	$89,985	$43
   9	Georgia	$89,765	$43
   10	Illinois	$89,063	$43
   11	Indiana	$87,982	$42
   12	Wisconsin	$87,682	$42
   13	Ohio	$81,550	$39
   14	Florida	$81,000	$39
   15	New York	$79,514	$38
   16	Tennessee	$78,584	$38
   17	Oklahoma	$76,154	$37
   18	Minnesota	$70,753	$34
   19	Arkansas	$61,317	$29

   Average refrigeration engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Standex International	$99,092	$47.64
   2	Lucid Motors	$97,408	$46.83	40
   3	Edwards	$93,503	$44.95
   4	Hunter	$93,301	$44.86
   5	RSC Holdings I LLC	$92,278	$44.36
   6	Beverage-Air	$92,188	$44.32
   7	Randstad North America, Inc.	$91,866	$44.17
   8	Lancer	$91,539	$44.01	1
   9	MPW	$90,708	$43.61
   10	Management Recruiters International(MRI)	$89,731	$43.14	13
   11	Franke Group	$89,728	$43.14
   12	Aprilaire, A Division Of Research Products Corporation	$89,054	$42.81
   13	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$88,284	$42.44	14
   14	Technical Safety Services	$87,416	$42.03
   15	Tạp chí công ngh	$86,668	$41.67
   16	Vollrath	$84,840	$40.79	3
   17	New York University	$84,481	$40.62	2
   18	EMCOR Group	$83,987	$40.38	58
   19	Columbia University in the City of New York	$81,678	$39.27	3
   20	The University of Chicago	$81,000	$38.94	4

4. Writing a refrigeration engineer job description

   A good refrigeration engineer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a refrigeration engineer job description:

   Refrigeration engineer job description example

   ALDI is one of the fastest-growing retailers in the nation, and we are charting an aggressive growth course to become the third-largest U.S. grocery retailer by store count by the end of 2022. How can you play a part? By joining our Facilities, Systems & Sustainability team. The team supports sustainability initiatives aimed to minimize our environmental impact including energy efficiency, utility analysis, refrigerant management and renewable energy. Helping us grow can translate into a great move for your career.
   
   Position Type: Full-Time
   Duties and Responsibilities:
   Must be able to perform duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
   • Perform analysis and make recommendations regarding refrigeration monitoring, operations, controls and components.
   • Completes evaluations of bids for relevant vendors.
   • Serves as subject matter expert on vendors discussions related to refrigeration systems.
   • Prepares and provides reporting to their direct leader on a regular basis to evaluate data trends that should be addressed with service and/or equipment vendors.
   • Provides management reporting on common issues, asset retirement and replacement plans, KPIs on service company performance, and cost control initiatives.
   • Prepares necessary communication for internal and external business partners related to findings discovered via building automation systems.
   • Identifies and communicates new ideas and cost saving opportunities to construct or remodel facilities to minimize long-term maintenance and repair costs.
   • Recommends and coordinates on-going training as necessary with operations.
   • Drives building refrigeration system automation to increase efficiencies and reduce expenses related to equipment within stores.
   • Consults with stakeholders (international and national) and vendor partners regarding refrigeration systems.
   • Facilitates the communication between FSS team and committee stakeholders as required.
   • Advises on any changes or actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the team.
   • Informs management of recurring issues or when additional team training may be required.
   • Optimizes refrigeration schedules and equipment through building automation system.
   • Identifies cost-saving opportunities for the business through building automation system such as remote refrigeration and alarm monitoring project.
   • Creates and maintains department progress reporting metrics.
   • Creates and maintains records of cost-savings opportunities and measures taken.
   • Maintains accurate and consistent electronic files and documentation.
   • Conducts regular reviews of market pricing for critical trades.
   • Utilizes Energy Reports, Leak Reports, and other KPI reports to identify non-conformities, failure analysis and takes action to mitigate unnecessary spend.
   • Ensures National Real Estate, Procurement, and Energy are notified of any equipment performance and quality concerns that should be evaluated in the tendering process.
   • Performs remote spot checks on Preventative Maintenance Services to verify execution is consistent with contractual obligations.
   • Supports remote review of asset performance and recommends asset disposal and replacements per equipment guidelines. Supports warranty management on refrigeration assets.
   • Assist in asset module within ALDI’s work order management software to automate warranty and repair vs. replace decision logic.
   • Assists in training and developing team members to retain a motivated and professional workforce.
   • Collaborates with team members and communicates relevant information to leadership.
   • Upholds the security and confidentiality of documents and data within area of responsibility.
   Education and Experience:
   • Bachelor's Degree in Facilities, Engineering, Building Automation or a related field.
   • A minimum of 5 years of experience in Facilities, Engineering, or Building Automation or a related field.
   • A minimum of 5 years in refrigeration-related or HVAC-related
   • A minimum of 3 years in refrigeration systems or HVAC systems
   • Or, a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.
   Job Competencies:
   Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
   • Comprehensive understanding of refrigeration and HVAC systems & repair.
   • Understanding of building controls and automation as it integrates with refrigeration and HVAC system.
   • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel knowledge.
   • Ability to stay organized and multi-task in a professional and efficient manner.
   • Strong reasoning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
   • Works cooperatively and collaboratively within a
   • Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and external parties.
   • Ability to interpret, and apply company policies and
   • Excellent verbal and written communication
   • Prepares written materials to meet purpose and
   • Gives attention to detail and follows instructions.
   • Establishes goals and works toward achievement. ALDI offers competitive wages and benefits, including: 401(k) Plan Company 401(k) Matching Contributions Employee Assistance Program (EAP) PerkSpot National Employee Discount Program In addition, eligible employees are offered: Medical, Prescription, Dental & Vision Insurance Generous Vacation Time & 7 Paid Holidays Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance Life, Dependent Life and AD&D Insurance Voluntary Term Life Insurance Click here to learn more about the benefits ALDI has to offer
   
   ALDI is committed to equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. As a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), we do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, religion, sex, sexual stereotyping, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), or any other protected characteristic. Employment may be contingent upon ALDI's receipt of an acceptable and job-related drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right refrigeration engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your refrigeration engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit refrigeration engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with refrigeration engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new refrigeration engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the refrigeration engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new refrigeration engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a refrigeration engineer?