Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Air Conditioning Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

An Air Conditioning Engineer (HVAC Engineer) is responsible for the design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and optimization of air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation systems across commercial, industrial and residential buildings. This role combines hands-on mechanical and electrical work with system diagnostics, preventive maintenance programs, contractor coordination, compliance with refrigerant regulations, energy optimization and clear technical communication to stakeholders. The ideal candidate has demonstrable experience with chiller plants, AHUs, VRF/VRV systems, control systems (BMS/PLC), refrigerant handling, and strong safety and quality focus.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

HVAC Technician or Apprentice (air conditioning/refrigeration)
Junior Mechanical Engineer with building services focus
Refrigeration or Facilities Maintenance Technician

Advancement To:

Senior HVAC / Air Conditioning Engineer
HVAC Project Engineer or Project Manager
Building Services Manager / Facilities Manager
Commissioning or Controls Team Lead

Lateral Moves:

Building Management Systems (BMS) / Controls Engineer
Commissioning & Handover Engineer
Energy Efficiency / Sustainability Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the installation, testing, commissioning and functional performance verification of air conditioning systems (chillers, VRF/VRV, AHUs, FCUs, packaged units) on commercial and industrial projects, ensuring systems meet design specifications, performance targets and manufacturer recommendations.
Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs for chillers, compressors, condensers, evaporators, expansion devices and associated refrigeration circuits to maximize uptime and lifecycle of equipment.
Diagnose complex mechanical, refrigeration and control system faults using advanced troubleshooting techniques, vibration analysis, refrigerant leak detection, pressure/temperature diagnostics and electrical testing equipment; implement corrective actions and document root-cause analysis.
Supervise, coordinate and quality-check subcontractors and installation teams during site works, ensuring safe working practices, adherence to project schedules, compliance with drawings and delivery of high-quality workmanship.
Program, commission and calibrate building management system (BMS) interfaces, PLCs and HVAC control sequences; optimize control logic for temperature, humidity, ventilation rates and energy saving strategies while validating alarms and trending.
Manage refrigerant handling activities in compliance with local and international regulations (e.g., EPA 608, F-Gas), maintain refrigerant records, calculate system charge, recover/ reclaim refrigerants and ensure proper disposal procedures.
Perform system balancing, air and hydronic flow measurements, duct and pipe pressure testing, and adjust variable speed drives (VFDs), pumps and fans to achieve design airflow, temperature and energy performance.
Prepare detailed technical reports, commissioning certificates, maintenance logs, service recommendations and handover documentation for clients and asset managers, ensuring clear traceability of works performed.
Conduct site surveys, feasibility assessments and load calculations (sensible and latent) to support equipment selection, system upgrades and retrofit proposals; provide technical specifications and cost estimates.
Implement and monitor energy efficiency measures, chiller sequencing, night set-back strategies and demand-control ventilation to reduce operational costs and improve building sustainability metrics.
Carry out planned shutdowns and safe isolation of HVAC systems for major maintenance or repair works, write method statements and risk assessments, and ensure permit-to-work compliance on site.
Oversee spare parts inventories and logistics; recommend lifecycle spares, critical spares stocking strategies and proactive replacement schedules to minimize mean time to repair (MTTR).
Collaborate with architects, MEP engineers and construction teams during design and installation phases to ensure HVAC solutions are coordinated with structural, electrical and fire protection systems.
Execute performance testing and commissioning (FAT/SAT) for packaged and custom equipment, validate manufacturer performance guarantees and manage warranty claims with suppliers and vendors.
Provide on-call technical support and escalate issues during emergency breakdowns, coordinating 24/7 response when required and leading troubleshooting efforts until full restoration of services.
Train and mentor junior technicians and site engineers in hands-on refrigeration techniques, electrical safety, diagnostic methods, and preventative maintenance best practices to build internal capability.
Ensure all works comply with health, safety and environmental regulations, promote safe working culture, and lead toolbox talks and site safety audits specifically addressing refrigerant and confined space risks.
Identify opportunities for system upgrades and retrofits (e.g., low-GWP refrigerants, heat recovery, variable refrigerant flow) and prepare business cases and ROI analyses for clients and stakeholders.
Manage multiple small-to-medium projects or service contracts concurrently, track progress, control costs and ensure delivery of agreed service levels and KPIs.
Liaise directly with clients, facility managers and building owners to schedule maintenance windows, communicate technical constraints, and produce client-focused reports summarizing performance and recommendations.
Coordinate with electrical contractors and power engineers for harmonic analysis, power quality issues, and ensuring correct supply protection for large HVAC plant items such as chillers and compressors.
Maintain compliance with industry standards and codes (ASHRAE, CIBSE, ISO), update technical knowledge based on manufacturer bulletins and regulatory changes, and implement best practices across site operations.

Secondary Functions

Support tendering and bid preparation by providing accurate mechanical scope descriptions, time-and-material estimates, and risk assessments for HVAC works.
Assist operations teams in digitizing maintenance records, configuring CMMS/CAFM systems for scheduled preventive maintenance and condition-based alerts.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by analyzing service data to identify recurring failures and proposing design or maintenance changes.
Participate in post-installation reviews and customer satisfaction surveys; implement lessons learned into subsequent projects and service agreements.
Provide technical input on warranty extensions, service level agreements (SLAs) and lifecycle cost modelling for clients considering long-term asset management contracts.
Liaise with environmental and compliance teams to ensure refrigerant reporting, leak detection programs, and refrigerant reclamation are auditable and up to date.
Assist in procurement technical evaluations, approve parts and equipment specifications, and perform vendor performance assessments during the lifecycle of equipment.
Deliver technical presentations and demonstrations to clients and internal stakeholders on system operation, maintenance needs and energy saving opportunities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven expertise in installation, commissioning and maintenance of chiller plants (air- and water-cooled), package AC units, VRF/VRV systems, AHUs and FCUs.
Strong knowledge of refrigeration cycles, refrigerant properties, charge calculations, leak detection methods and refrigerant recovery procedures; EPA 608 or equivalent certification preferred.
Hands-on experience with HVAC control systems, BMS integration, PLC programming basics and optimization of control sequences for energy efficiency.
Ability to perform electrical diagnostics for motors, starters, VFDs, contactors and protection devices; competent reading of electrical single-line diagrams and instrumentation.
Proficiency with HVAC calculations: load calculations, psychrometrics, duct and pipe sizing, pump head calculations and system balancing techniques.
Experience in commissioning protocols and testing procedures (FAT, SAT, performance testing) and preparation of commissioning reports and certificates.
Practical skills in mechanical maintenance: bearing replacement, shaft alignment, mechanical seal replacement, pump and fan overhaul, and vibration analysis.
Competency with tools and instruments: manometers, thermal imaging cameras, refrigerant analyzers, flue gas analyzers (where relevant), clamp meters and multimeters.
Familiarity with relevant codes and standards: ASHRAE, CIBSE, ISO, local building and safety codes, and refrigerant regulations (F-Gas, EPA).
Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS/CAFM), Microsoft Office and commissioning/test reporting tools.
Knowledge of energy management strategies, chiller sequencing, heat recovery systems and techniques to reduce HVAC carbon footprint.

Soft Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an ability to synthesize diagnostic data into actionable repair or optimization plans.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for reporting technical information to non-technical stakeholders and preparing detailed handover documents.
Excellent time management and ability to prioritize multiple service calls, projects and commissioning tasks under tight deadlines.
Leadership and team coordination skills to supervise contractors and mentor junior technicians while enforcing safety practices.
Customer-focused mindset with professionalism in client interactions, scheduling, and transparent communication around service outcomes and costs.
Attention to detail and quality orientation in installation, testing and documentation to ensure long-term system reliability.
Adaptability and learning agility to keep up with evolving refrigerant regulations, new HVAC technologies and manufacturer updates.
Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage supplier warranties, contractor disputes and scope changes on live projects.
Initiative and continuous improvement mentality to identify recurring issues and propose process or design changes.
Resilience and ability to respond to emergency breakdowns or on-call situations with calm and effective troubleshooting.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent plus a recognized HVAC / Refrigeration Trade qualification (NVQ, City & Guilds, Technical Diploma).

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, HVACR Engineering or related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Engineering
Building Services / HVACR Technology
Refrigeration Technology
Energy Management / Sustainable Building Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–8 years in hands-on HVAC/refrigeration roles for entry/senior positions; 5+ years preferred for lead/senior engineer roles.

Preferred:

Minimum 3–5 years’ experience commissioning and maintaining commercial/industrial HVAC systems, with documented experience on chillers, BMS integration and refrigerant handling.
Experience working on medium-to-large scale buildings, data centers, hospitals, hotels or industrial facilities is highly desirable.
Professional certifications such as EPA 608, F-Gas handling certificate, City & Guilds HVAC qualifications, manufacturer certification (e.g., Carrier, Daikin, Trane) and health & safety certifications (NEBOSH, IOSH) are advantageous.