The Role
This role will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for all refrigerant-based critical systems within the organization. This role is responsible for developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), troubleshooting guides, and commissioning protocols, while also providing direct onsite support as needed. The Specialist ensures the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of refrigeration systems essential to cultivation, processing, and laboratory environments. Travel is required and may be up to 40% to provide on-site support across facilities.
This role collaborates with engineering, construction, compliance, and site-level operations teams to drive system reliability, standardization, and continuous improvement across the company’s portfolio.
Responsibilities
SME Leadership
- Act as the primary corporate SME for refrigerant-based systems, providing expertise to operations, engineering, and construction teams.
- Develop and maintain SOPs, troubleshooting guides, and technical documentation for refrigerant critical systems.
System Design & Commissioning
- Support equipment sizing, integration, and utility planning during facility design and construction.
- Lead commissioning efforts for refrigeration, HVAC, and associated critical systems.
Technical Support & Troubleshooting
- Provide advanced troubleshooting and root-cause analysis for refrigerant systems (industrial chillers, cryogenic freezers, ultra-low storage units, walk-in coolers/freezers, HVAC refrigerant circuits).
- Travel to facilities as needed to provide hands-on technical support.
- Deliver remote technical guidance for alarms, failures, and optimization.
Reliability & Maintenance
- Develop and oversee preventive maintenance programs for refrigerant-based systems across all facilities.
- Monitor system performance through BMS, SCADA, or IoT-based platforms, responding proactively to alarms and trends.
- Ensure regulatory and safety compliance in all refrigerant operations.
Training & Collaboration
- Train site-level maintenance staff and operators on refrigerant system operations, troubleshooting, and safety best practices.
- Partner with and establish strong relationships with compliance, safety, and vendor teams to standardize practices and implement improvements company-wide.
Qualifications
- Ability and willingness to travel frequently (up to 40%) to corporate facilities, cultivation, processing, and laboratory sites.
- Minimum five years of hands-on experience with refrigerant systems, HVAC/R, chillers, cryogenic units, or industrial refrigeration.
- Experience commissioning new refrigeration or HVAC systems.
- Industry background in cannabis, biotech, pharmaceutical, or food manufacturing strongly preferred
- Familiarity with MEP coordination, facility construction, or startup processes preferred
- Relevant technical certifications (EPA 608, HVAC/R trade school, or equivalent) strongly desired
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, use a ladder, and work in a confined space.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to author technical SOPs and guides.
- Strong expertise in refrigerant circuit design, operation, and troubleshooting.
- Proficiency with equipment monitoring platforms (BMS, SCADA, IoT).
Additional Requirements
- Must be at a minimum of 21 years of age.
- Must possess valid state ID.
- Must be able to obtain, and maintain, state badging requirements to work in the cannabis industry (requires background check and state review)
Work Conditions
- Works in areas requiring exposure to varying temperatures, heat or cold, and/or wet, damp, or drafty conditions
- Hands-on work in mechanical rooms, refrigeration systems, and lab environments.
- Working in temperature-controlled and odor-rich environments.
- Works at heights, including on roofs, on scaffolding, up ladders, or in ceiling spaces
- Moves over sloping, uneven, or slippery surfaces
- Work overnight, weekends, and varying shifts
- Move through narrow, enclosed, or elevated spaces
- Work outdoors for extended periods of time
- Moves, lifts, carries, and places merchandise and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance
- Work involves daily exposure to allergens (such as cannabis, tree nuts, and coconut oil).
