Commercial HVAC Technician
Job Description
Location: Abbott Park (Lake County), IL
Hire Type: Contract-to-Hire (3 Months), Onsite
Target Pay Rate: $40.00 - $43.00/hour
Work Schedule: 12-hour rotating schedule (6:00AM - 6:00PM) | 4 days on, 4 days off
Benefits: PTO, paid holidays, BCBS medical plans, dental/vision plans, 401(k), & ESOP
Seeking an experienced HVAC/R Technician II to support the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance of industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems within a large manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for ensuring the reliability of critical environmental systems through hands-on mechanical, electrical, and controls troubleshooting. The ideal candidate has strong industrial HVAC/R experience, excels at diagnosing complex equipment issues, and is committed to maintaining safe, efficient facility operations.
- 5+ years of industrial HVAC/R maintenance and troubleshooting experience
- Experience servicing chillers, refrigeration systems, freezers, environmental chambers, incubators, and air handling units (AHUs)
- Strong mechanical, electrical, and controls troubleshooting skills
- Experience with refrigerant recovery, charging, and leak detection in accordance with EPA regulations
- Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals
- Experience using Building Automation Systems (BAS/DDC) and CMMS software
- Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Stable work history with demonstrated reliability and technical growth
- Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain industrial HVAC and refrigeration systems
- Perform preventive maintenance on refrigeration and environmental control equipment
- Service refrigerators, freezers, environmental chambers, stability chambers, incubators, freeze dryers, air dryers, dehumidifiers, chillers, cooling systems, AHUs, and VAV systems
- Diagnose electrical, mechanical, and controls issues involving motors, pumps, compressors, fans, actuators, and valves
- Perform refrigerant recovery, charging, and leak detection in compliance with EPA regulations
- Utilize BAS/DDC systems to monitor equipment performance and troubleshoot system issues
- Calibrate and adjust temperature, humidity, pressure, and airflow controls
- Complete work orders, preventive maintenance documentation, and maintenance records within CMMS
- Support facility maintenance projects, equipment installations, and system upgrades
- Maintain compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical degree, HVAC trade certification, or apprenticeship preferred
- Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- Experience in GMP or other regulated manufacturing environments is preferred
Meet Your Recruiter
Alicia Alexander
Technical Recruiter & Team Mentor
Alicia Alexander is a Technical Recruiter and Team Mentor at Sterling Engineering with four years of recruiting experience and nearly three years with Sterling. She specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and technical recruiting, supporting roles across maintenance, reliability, operations, engineering, and industrial environments, including food and life sciences.
Alicia is passionate about helping people find careers where they feel genuinely happy, supported, and positioned for long-term growth. She enjoys building meaningful relationships with candidates, helping them take the next step in their careers, and supporting companies as they build strong, high-performing teams.
With a background in psychology and human resources from North Central College, Alicia brings a people-focused approach to recruiting. Her understanding of relationship building, communication, and candidate motivation helps her create successful matches between talent and opportunity.
Alicia is known for developing strong partnerships with both candidates and hiring managers, with a focus on creating long-term placements that benefit both the individual and the organization.