HVAC&R Mechanic

Join to apply for the HVAC&R Mechanic role at the Salk Institute Office of Technology Development in San Diego, CA. Under limited supervision, the HVAC&R Mechanic performs the full range of skilled journey‑level work installing, troubleshooting, calibrating, servicing, repairing, and maintaining refrigeration and HVAC systems, BAS devices, and related equipment.

The Salk Institute is an internationally renowned research institution dedicated to improving the wellbeing of humanity through groundbreaking science. Founded by Jonas Salk, the Institute is an independent, nonprofit research organization and architectural landmark.

• Installs, modifies, adjusts, and repairs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment and systems, including air‑handling units, fan coil units, hydronic heating systems, direct digital control (DDC), and pneumatic control components.
• Troubleshoots, modifies, monitors, and collects data for the BAS HVAC devices.
• Install, troubleshoot, calibrate, service, repair and maintain direct expansion (DX) HVAC systems and other refrigerated equipment and systems.
• Read, interpret, and work from blueprints, plans, drawings, and specifications, making rough sketches as needed.
• Performs minor‑to‑major overhauls.
• Performs brazing and soldering as necessary.
• Installs electrical conduit, power feeds, and controls for a wide range of systems and equipment.
• Installs network cables and terminations.
• Utilizes plans to fabricate, assemble, and install sheet metal products such as air ducts, reheat systems, supports, and control boxes.
• Installs gauges, valves, and various types of pipes requiring soldering, brazing, threading, and gluing.
• Replaces air filters and water filters.
• Responds to service requests and diagnoses and troubleshoots system problems.
• Observes equipment functioning to detect hazards, adjust, relocate, and replace as necessary.
• Uses computer to communicate, research parts and specifications, coordinate, document work details, and record time logs.
• Performs routine manual duties such as moving supplies, furniture, equipment, removing trash, scrap material, sweeping, and mopping.
• Provides work direction to lower‑level technicians.
• Prepares routing reports, schematics, and diagrams for layout work areas and estimates time and materials.
• Performs work in other skilled trades as assigned by management.
• Performs related duties as assigned by management.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Training: 1 year trade school in HVAC&R (preferred).
• Experience:
  
  5+ years specialized experience in industrial or commercial HVAC&R.
• Experience Preferred: 2 years of experience in sheet metal fabrication.
• Must possess an EPA Section 608 Universal Technician Certification.
• Computer skills:
  Microsoft Office;
  Project Management Software.
• Demonstrated ability to read construction drawings and documentation.
• First Aid/CPR/AED training/certification (willing to maintain).
• Satisfactory completion of the post‑offer physical required.
• Must be able to use ladders to provide access and work from heights.

Expected pay range: $27.00-$35.00 hourly
. Salk Institute offers competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, tuition reimbursement, patient advocacy services, and transit/parking program.

The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal access to opportunities for students, employees, applicants for employment and other visitors. Salk has adopted a policy to encourage professional and respectful workplace behavior and prevent discriminatory and harassing conduct in the workplace.

Accordingly, the Institute prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, political affiliation, and any other status protected by state or federal law.

Discrimination is prohibited with any intersectionality of the above‑mentioned characteristics, including:

• Any combination of characteristics.
• A perception that the person has any of the characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.
• A perception that the person is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics or any combination of those characteristics.