Senior HVAC Technician

Dietsmann is the leading independent Operation & Maintenance and Maintenance Engineering & Inspection specialist for continuous-production plant in the oil & gas, conventional and nuclear power generation and mining industries. We are present in 15 countries and our 3,800-strong workforce is composed of more than 73 nationalities. Respect, non-discrimination and equal opportunity are fully part of our HR practices, especially when recruiting.

Mission

The HVAC Senior Technician is responsible for executing preventive, corrective and emergency HVAC maintenance activities, ensuring operations are carried out in accordance with HSE rules, operating procedures and industry best practices. They ensure that HVAC systems supporting critical process, electrical, control and telecom rooms and cold chambers maintain the conditions required to guarantee equipment reliability, and maintain high availability and reliability of HVAC and refrigeration equipment supporting the production facilities. They play an active role in mentoring and transferring technical skills to Ugandan technicians undergoing training, and support commissioning, start-up, shutdown and preservation activities whenever required.

HSE:

• Ensure fulfilment of the HSE policy and promote safe working practices within the HVAC team; maintain a good understanding of client and contractor HSE rules.
• Participate in toolbox talks, Job Risk Assessments, HSE audits and inspections; ensure all permits are obtained before work and that technicians hold the required certifications and authorizations.
• Ensure proper handling and disposal of refrigerants and hazardous waste, apply carbon footprint reduction guidelines, and ensure compliance with F-Gas and refrigerant environmental management procedures.
• Comply with cyber security protocols when using company PCs, industrial systems or the company network.
• Report near misses and unsafe conditions and participate in incident investigations when requested; ensure LOTO procedures are strictly applied before any intervention.

Operations:

• Perform preventive, corrective and emergency maintenance on HVAC and refrigeration systems, and respond promptly to equipment breakdowns.
• With other maintenance teams, carry out vibration, temperature and operating parameter monitoring of rotating HVAC equipment; calibrate thermostats, pressure switches, sensors and control devices; and advise on alignment and replacement of motors, belts, pulleys and bearings.
• Perform chilled water analysis and treatment to prevent corrosion, scale and microbial growth; clean and replace filters, coils and condensers.
• Verify operation of HVAC automation and Building Management System (BMS) interfaces where installed.
• Execute maintenance on AHUs, FCUs, split air conditioners, packaged units, chillers, cooling towers, ventilation, pressurization and exhaust systems, refrigeration units, compressors, pumps, heat exchangers and associated piping / tubing.
• Troubleshoot faults; inspect, dismantle, repair, replace and reassemble HVAC equipment; carry out refrigerant charging, recovery, leak detection and leak repair by brazing; optimise air flow when needed.
• Monitor equipment performance and recommend improvements; perform all maintenance activities on cold chambers; participate in equipment preservation during shutdown or extended outages.
• Support specialists working under specific maintenance contracts; prepare maintenance and work completion reports.
• Mentor junior and local HVAC technicians and participate actively in nationalization and competency development programs.

Methods & Quality Assurance:

• Analyse recurring HVAC failures and recommend improvements to maintenance plans; identify spare parts shortages and advise on stock requirements; recommend modifications to improve equipment availability.
• Review equipment history and maintenance KPIs to optimise preventive maintenance frequencies; contribute to maintenance planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OEM recommendations; inspect completed work, verify quality of workmanship, coach technicians where needed, and verify that maintenance records are complete and accurate.

Required Profile

• Minimum 5 years of industrial HVAC maintenance experience, preferably within Oil & Gas, Petrochemical or Power Generation (equivalent experience will also be considered).
• Good knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, ventilation and chilled water systems; ability to read HVAC drawings and P&IDs; strong troubleshooting skills; good command of English; ability to supervise and mentor technicians.
• Strong leadership; able to work independently and under pressure; methodical, organised and proactive; safety conscious; maintains good working relationships and demonstrates integrity and professionalism.
• Advantageous: experience using CMMS (SAP, Maximo, etc.); HVAC control systems, VFDs and PLC-controlled HVAC equipment; industrial ventilation and explosion-proof HVAC equipment; knowledge of international refrigeration standards and manufacturer maintenance recommendations.
• Site-based position, reporting to the Site Team Leader / Maintenance Supervisor.
• Active role in mentoring and transferring skills to local technicians as part of the nationalization and competency development programs; support to commissioning, start-up, shutdown and preservation activities as required.
• Mandatory trainings: Defensive Driving; Manual Handling Awareness; Permit to Work – Isolation / LOTO; Working at Height; Confined Space Awareness; Fire Fighting; Gas Testing Awareness; Refrigeration Gas Handling & Recovery; HVAC Systems Maintenance; Ex Equipment in Hazardous Areas – Hazard Identification; and other requirements based on the applicable training matrix.

Education

• Diploma or Higher Diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, HVAC Technology, or equivalent.
• Relevant HVAC trade certification; refrigerant handling certification is an added advantage.

Join Us

At Dietsmann, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all individuals are valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their talents. We actively seek candidates from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join our team, as we believe this diversity drives innovation and enables us to better serve our customers and communities. We encourage individuals from underrepresented groups to apply and bring their unique experiences and talents to our organization. If you share our commitment to diversity and inclusion and are passionate about making a positive impact, we invite you to apply and consider joining our team

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