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.
