Commercial HVAC Journeyman - Sheet Metal, Equipment Setting & Copper Piping
We are seeking an experienced Commercial HVAC Journeyman to support active projects in Mobile, Alabama. This is a hands-on installation role for someone who can work across three connected scopes: commercial sheet-metal and ductwork installation, mechanical equipment setting, and copper piping.
The best-fit candidate is a well-rounded commercial HVAC craft professional who can work independently from drawings, solve field installation issues, coordinate with other trades, and help guide apprentices. This is an opportunity to join a growing, founder-led technology contractor that promotes from within and offers future paths into foreman, superintendent, and project or operations leadership.
Location: Mobile, Alabama
Schedule: Field construction schedule; overtime may be available based on project needs
Work Setting: Onsite at commercial and institutional project locations
Role Type: Contract to Hire
Contract Duration: Approximately 6 months; an earlier conversion may be considered based on performance, business need, and approval. Conversion is not guaranteed.
Pay Rate: $24-$35 per hour, depending on experience and client approval, with opportunities for continued increases based on demonstrated performance and skill growth
Responsibilities
- Install commercial HVAC and mechanical equipment, including rooftop units, air handlers, split systems, fan-coil units, exhaust fans, VAV boxes, terminal units, louvers, dampers, and related accessories.
- Receive, stage, rig, position, level, anchor, and set mechanical equipment using approved lifting and installation methods.
- Verify equipment locations, dimensions, clearances, curbs, pads, supports, connections, and service access before installation.
- Lay out, assemble, hang, connect, modify, reinforce, and seal commercial sheet-metal duct systems.
- Install rectangular, round, spiral, lined, and double-wall ductwork using appropriate connection, support, reinforcement, and sealing methods.
- Take accurate field measurements and communicate or fabricate required transitions, offsets, elbows, plenums, and fittings.
- Install hangers, threaded rod, strut, trapeze supports, curbs, flashings, penetrations, flexible connections, dampers, diffusers, grilles, and registers.
- Measure, cut, fit, route, support, and connect copper piping used in commercial HVAC applications.
- Perform brazing and soldering using proper preparation, purging, joining, testing, and hot-work safety practices.
- Support equipment change-outs, renovations, retrofits, tie-ins, startup, testing, commissioning, punch-list work, and project closeout.
- Read and interpret mechanical drawings, specifications, equipment schedules, submittals, and coordinated shop drawings.
- Identify field conflicts involving structure, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, controls, and other trades and communicate issues before they delay the work.
- Track materials, fittings, tools, and equipment and communicate shortages or changing field needs promptly.
- Complete daily safety planning, maintain an organized work area, and follow company, OSHA, customer, and jobsite requirements.
- Teach apprentices and less-experienced employees proper installation methods, tool use, safety practices, craftsmanship, and jobsite expectations.
- Represent the company through dependable attendance, professional communication, quality work, and respect for customers and other trades.
Qualifications
- Approximately 4+ years of commercial or industrial HVAC installation experience preferred.
- Journeyman-level ability to complete commercial HVAC installation work with limited supervision.
- Hands-on experience in all 3 primary areas of the position: sheet-metal ductwork, mechanical equipment setting, and copper piping.
- Experience installing or replacing commercial HVAC equipment such as rooftop units, air handlers, split systems, exhaust fans, VAV boxes, and terminal units.
- Ability to lay out, hang, connect, modify, reinforce, and seal commercial duct systems.
- Experience measuring, cutting, fitting, supporting, brazing, or soldering copper piping for HVAC applications.
- Ability to read mechanical plans, shop drawings, specifications, submittals, and equipment schedules.
- Working knowledge of proper duct supports, pipe supports, equipment clearances, access requirements, and installation practices.
- Ability to safely use ladders, scaffolding, aerial lifts, rigging equipment, sheet-metal tools, power tools, and piping tools.
- Strong field problem-solving and trade-coordination skills.
- Willingness to mentor apprentices and developing craft employees.
- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to lift and handle up to 75 pounds and work on rooftops, from ladders or lifts, in mechanical rooms, and throughout active construction sites.
Preferred Qualifications
- OSHA 10 Construction certification.
- EPA Section 608 certification.
- Aerial-lift or scissor-lift training.
- Experience brazing refrigerant piping with nitrogen purge and completing pressure or leak testing.
- Working knowledge of SMACNA duct-installation standards.
- Experience with commercial renovations, equipment replacements, occupied facilities, or retrofit projects.
- Experience in healthcare, education, government, municipal, industrial, data-center, or mixed-use environments.
- Procore or comparable digital field-documentation experience.
- Previous experience leading small crews or mentoring apprentices.
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Benefits
- Eligible full-time CRG contract employees working at least 30 hours per week may enroll in medical, dental, and vision coverage beginning the first day of the month following 30 days after hire.
- Weekly pay and direct deposit.
- Paid Holidays (11 in total, including Mardi Gras)
- $300 vehicle allowance
- $0.76 per mile IRS rate reimbursement
- Referral bonus opportunities for candidates and companies
- CRG recruiting and account-management support throughout the assignment.
- 401(k) eligibility after 12 months as a CRG employee.
- Monthly pay rate increases based on KPI's provided by manager
- Opportunity to grow with a founder-led company that supports advancement from Journeyman to Foreman, Superintendent, and project or operations leadership.
- Access to training and development involving HVAC, building controls, automation, operational technology, and integrated building systems.
Paid leave during the CRG contract period is governed by the confirmed assignment policy and any applicable legal or project-contract requirements. Benefits following a direct hire or conversion are governed by the hiring employer’s plan terms; conversion is not guaranteed.