Commercial Hvac Lead Technician

Job description

Job Description

Commercial HVAC Lead Technician (Start-Up, Controls & Commissioning)

Job Overview

Company: Northern Wolves Inc.

Salary/Pay Rate: $130,000 - $150,000 per year, based on experience

Location: New York City (NYC and NJ field projects);

Brooklyn HQ

Job/Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To: Director of Field Operations

Project Scope: High-quality design-build mechanical installations, controls integration, system start-ups, and commissioning for commercial, retail, hospitality, education, and institutional facilities

Mandatory Licenses & Certifications: EPA Section 608 Universal Certification, NYC FDNY G-60, NYC FDNY F-60, OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety, NYC Site Safety Training (SST) Card, Valid Driver's License (Clean Record)

About Northern Wolves Inc.

Northern Wolves Inc. is a fast-growing commercial HVAC contractor headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, serving the New York City and New Jersey markets. We deliver high-quality design-build mechanical systems for commercial, retail, hospitality, education, medical, and institutional clients. Our reputation is built on technical excellence, problem-solving, and a "get it done" culture, and we are looking for a top-tier Lead Technician to own our equipment start-ups, controls integration, and commissioning.

The Opportunity

We are hiring a Commercial HVAC Lead Technician whose core job is to make commercial systems run right the first time. This is a senior, fully hands-on field role for a technician who is highly skilled in commercial equipment start-ups, controls and interlock wiring, VFD wiring and programming, set points and sequence-of-operation programming, hydronic and boiler systems, and electrical components - and who is comfortable on a laptop, working in manufacturer software, and on the phone with manufacturer tech support.

You will be the technician our foremen call to bring a system to life: verify the installation, wire and program the controls, start the equipment, prove the interlocks, dial in the set points, document the results, and hand over a system that the client can run. You will also diagnose and repair the hard problems that other technicians cannot.

Core of the Role: Start-Ups, Controls & Commissioning

Equipment Start-Ups

Perform start-ups and commissioning of commercial equipment: Rooftop Units (RTUs), Air Handling Units (AHUs), Dedicated Outside Air Systems (DOAS), Energy Recovery Units, Make-Up Air Units, VRF/VRV systems, Water Source Heat Pumps (WSHP), split systems, exhaust fans, and unit heaters

Complete manufacturer start-up checklists: phase and voltage checks, motor rotation, amp draws, refrigerant charge verification, static pressure, airflow, and safety checks

Set up and verify multi-stage heating and cooling systems: staging, set points, deadbands, lockouts, and changeover logic

Prepare clean, professional start-up reports with recorded readings and parameters

Controls, Interlocks & Programming

Wire, configure, and prove control interlocks: fan-to-damper end switches, smoke detector and fire alarm shutdowns, kitchen hood and make-up air interlocks, freeze stats, high-limit and airflow-proving switches, refrigerant leak detection, and occupancy or time-clock schedules

Wire and configure air economizers: actuators, dry-bulb and enthalpy sensors, minimum outside-air position, demand control ventilation (CO2), and economizer fault detection

Program thermostats, unit controllers, and standalone controls: set points, schedules, sensor offsets, staging, and safety parameters

Install and wire sensors and control devices: temperature, humidity, CO2, pressure, current, and occupancy sensors;

relays, transformers, contactors, time clocks, and 0-10V / 4-20mA control signals

Coordinate with BMS / controls subcontractors on points, sequences of operation, and system handoff

VFDs & Electrical

Wire, program, and commission Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on fans and pumps: line and load wiring, control wiring, parameter setup, minimum/maximum speed, ramp times, control signal (0-10V / 4-20mA / BACnet or Modbus), bypass, and fault troubleshooting

Diagnose and replace electrical components: single-phase and three-phase motors, ECM motors, contactors, relays, transformers, capacitors, phase monitors, and control boards

Wire and commission electric duct heaters, including SCR controls, airflow proving, high-limit interlocks, and staging

Read and work from wiring diagrams, control schematics, and sequences of operation

Hydronic & Boiler Systems

Start up and service boiler systems: boiler controller settings, outdoor reset, low-water cutoffs, flow switches, and safeties

Wire and commission circulation pumps and VFD-driven pumps, including primary/secondary loops

Install, wire, and set control valves: 2-way and 3-way control valves, mixing valves, and zone valves with their actuators

Verify expansion tanks, air separators, fill valves, and balancing on hydronic loops

Technology & Manufacturer Support

Use a laptop and mobile devices daily: manufacturer service and configuration software, VFD PC tools, controller software, Bluetooth manifolds and meters

Communicate clearly with manufacturer technical support by phone and e-mail: describe the problem accurately, provide readings and parameters, follow the engineer's instructions, and document the resolution

Keep firmware, parameter files, and start-up records organized and share them with the office

Additional Responsibilities

Installation Leadership

Lead complex portions of installations and verify that equipment, piping, ductwork, and controls are installed per drawings, specifications, and manufacturer requirements before start-up

Walk foremen and crews through what must be complete before a start-up, testing, or inspection

Troubleshooting & Service

Diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, refrigerant, and controls issues on commercial systems with minimal supervision

Identify root causes, not just symptoms, and document findings clearly

Communication & Documentation

Communicate clearly and professionally with General Contractors, Project Managers, engineers, commissioning agents, Test & Balance contractors, and owners

Write detailed, accurate service and start-up reports through the Northern Wolves field reporting app

Represent Northern Wolves with clarity and professionalism on every jobsite

Non-Negotiable Requirements

Fluent professional English (spoken and written) - required for daily communication with manufacturer tech support, GC superintendents, engineers, and clients

Minimum 7 years of hands-on commercial HVAC experience, with at least 3 years in a lead or senior technician role

Proven, hands-on expertise in commercial equipment start-ups and commissioning (RTUs, AHUs, DOAS, VRF, WSHP)

Strong controls and electrical background: must be able to wire, troubleshoot, and interlock HVAC equipment independently and read wiring diagrams and sequences of operation

Hands-on VFD experience: wiring, parameter programming, and troubleshooting

Working knowledge of air economizers, multi-stage systems, electric duct heaters, and hydronic/boiler systems (pumps, control valves, 3-way valves, circulation pumps)

Solid knowledge of electrical components: motors, relays, transformers, contactors, capacitors, and control boards

Comfortable with computers and devices: laptop, manufacturer software, controller configuration tools, and mobile apps

Ability to read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and controls drawings, schematics, and submittals

Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Strong written communication;

must produce clean, clear service and start-up reports

Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

Required Licenses & Certifications

EPA Section 608 Universal Certification

OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety

NYC Site Safety Training (SST) Card

NYC FDNY Certificates of Fitness applicable to refrigeration systems (G-60 / F-60), or ability to obtain within 90 days

Preferred Qualifications

Manufacturer start-up or service training on major equipment lines (Daikin, Mitsubishi, LG, Trane, Carrier, AAON, ClimateMaster, Lennox, Greenheck, CaptiveAire, or similar)

Experience with VFD lines such as ABB, Danfoss, Yaskawa, or Schneider

Experience with BMS / building automation systems (Automated Logic, Siemens, Honeywell, Distech, Tridium/Niagara) and BACnet / Modbus integration

Experience working on NYC commercial projects (Local Law 87/97 awareness)

Bilingual (English plus Spanish, Russian, or Ukrainian) is a plus

Experience training and mentoring junior technicians

Who Will Succeed In This Role

You are the technician who gets called when a system will not start or will not run right - and you fix it.

You are methodical: you follow the manufacturer's start-up procedure, record every reading, and prove every interlock before you leave.

You are comfortable with technology. A laptop, a parameter file, and a call with tech support are normal tools for you, not obstacles.

You communicate clearly with engineers, tech support, and clients, and your reports let the office understand exactly what you did.

You take pride in handing over a finished, documented system.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 per year, based on experience

Company vehicle (van/truck) with company gas card and EZ-Pass

401(k) retirement plan

2 weeks (10 days) paid vacation after 1 year of continuous employment

5 paid sick days per year (in accordance with New York Paid Sick Leave)

Company-observed holidays

Company-provided phone, tablet, and laptop for start-up and controls work

Company-paid manufacturer training and certification renewals

Northern Wolves Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Worksite address

east flatbush, NY, 11203, US

Who can apply

Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.