Restaurant HVAC & Equipment Tech

Position Summary

We are a multi-unit Papa John's franchise operator serving the Greater Philadelphia region (PA, NJ, and DE). We are hiring a full-time HVAC & Equipment Technician to keep critical equipment running at our restaurants - refrigeration, HVAC, and commercial ovens. This is a dedicated in-house, field-based role: you will be a primary technician responsible for equipment uptime, performing preventive maintenance, diagnostics, and repairs to keep stores operating and food safe. Experience across refrigeration and HVAC is required; training on our pizza ovens will be provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose, repair, and maintain commercial refrigeration equipment: walk-in coolers and freezers, reach-in and prep-table units, ice machines, and beverage/cold-holding systems.

• Service and maintain rooftop HVAC package units (gas/electric RTUs), including filter changes, economizer checks, refrigerant charge, electrical, and seasonal start-ups.

• Maintain, calibrate, and repair commercial pizza ovens (e.g., conveyor and deck ovens) - training on our oven equipment will be provided.

• Run a preventive-maintenance program across the assigned territory on a recurring schedule to reduce breakdowns and extend equipment life.

• Respond to service calls and prioritize food-safety, oven-down, and comfort emergencies to minimize downtime and product loss.

• Recover, recycle, and charge refrigerants in full compliance with EPA Section 608 and maintain required refrigerant-handling records.

• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, gas, and control issues; read wiring diagrams and manufacturer specs.

• Maintain accurate service logs, track parts and inventory on the company vehicle, and flag units that are candidates for replacement.

• Coordinate with outside contractors and equipment vendors for major repairs, warranty work, crane lifts, and new installs.

• Partner with store managers and operations leadership to schedule work with minimal disruption to business hours.

Required Qualifications

• EPA Section 608 certification (Universal preferred; Type II minimum) - required to handle refrigerants.

• 3+ years of hands-on commercial refrigeration and HVAC-R service experience, ideally in restaurant, foodservice, or multi-unit retail settings.

• Proven ability to diagnose and repair walk-in refrigeration, ice machines, and rooftop package units.

• Mechanical and electrical aptitude to learn commercial oven service (oven-specific training provided).

• Valid driver's license and clean driving record (company vehicle provided).

• Own hand tools; comfortable with gauges, meters, and recovery equipment.

• Able to work independently across multiple sites and manage a daily route with limited supervision.

• Reliable, food-safety minded, and responsive to emergencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• HVAC-R trade school diploma, apprenticeship, or equivalent certification.

• Experience with major brands (Daikin, Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Heatcraft, Manitowoc, True, Hoshizaki) and commercial pizza ovens (Middleby Marshall, Lincoln, XLT).

• Familiarity with R-32 and R-454B refrigerants and current low-GWP equipment.

• Electrical and basic plumbing/gas-piping competency.

Schedule & Work Environment

• Full-time, primarily daytime hours aligned to store operations, with rotating on-call for emergencies.

• Field-based role with daily travel among Philadelphia-area locations (company vehicle provided).

• Work in coolers/freezers, on rooftops, and in kitchen environments; some weekend or evening work during outages.

Physical Requirements

• Lift and carry up to 50-75 lbs; climb ladders and access rooftops.

• Work in cold (walk-in freezer) and hot (rooftop/kitchen) conditions and in tight mechanical spaces.

• Stand, kneel, and bend for extended periods.