OPT Refrigeration Technician Jobs
Refrigeration Technician jobs on OPT are available through HVACR contractors, food distribution companies, and commercial facilities that regularly sponsor skilled trades. Your F-1 OPT authorization covers hands-on technical work, including installation, diagnostics, and repair. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, typically mechanical or environmental systems engineering.
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Get Access To All JobsLINCOLN PREMIUM POULTRY
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Refrigeration Technician
DATE: 5/2026
REPORTS TO: Utilities Supervisor
STATUS: Non-Exempt
CORE VALUE COMMITMENT:
All employees will demonstrate our culture of commitment to quality, respect for fellow employees and business partners, and responsibility to the environment and our community.
JOB SUMMARY:
Responsible for the maintenance, repair, construction and modification of all refrigeration and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment with special emphasis on ammonia refrigeration and compressors and boilers.
DAILY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair manufacturing and ammonia refrigeration equipment or systems.
- Perform daily rounds/checks of ammonia system.
- Perform necessary preventative maintenance on all equipment, up to and including, rebuilding compressors and boilers as needed, and record necessary information pertaining to maintenance.
- Learn, follow, and be engaged in Process Safety Management (PSM).
- Utilize all manner of hand and power tools to diagnose, adjust, maintain, and repair electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
- Review work orders to ensure accuracy and maintain documentation of work performed.
- Assist with installation of new equipment or modify existing equipment as required.
- Provide training to peers as requested or needed by refrigeration lead, supervisor, or training department.
- Make suggestions for correctible measures when downtime results from mechanical or technical defects.
- Attend maintenance meetings and trainings as required.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and give feedback to supervisor about cost reduction, quality improvement and yield control.
- Follow all company safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:
- MUST have a minimum of 6 months industrial maintenance experience.
- MUST be comfortable and experienced utilizing hand and power tools of all varieties.
- MUST have knowledge of NH3 refrigeration principles and understanding of plant refrigeration systems, electric and mechanical procedures.
- MUST be able to pass a respiratory fit test and participate in the HAZMAT team.
- MUST have basic knowledge and safety understanding of electrical components.
- MUST have knowledge of basic math, including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and calculating percentages.
- Skill in using a personal computer and various software applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Ability to work in a refrigerated environment ranging from 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner with all plant employees, as well as third party vendors and contractors.
- Ability to operate a forklift, scissors lift, or any other powered equipment or machinery as needed.
- Ability to consistently practice and enforce safe working habits.
- Ability to recognize safety risks and comply with all safety standards.
- Ability to work with a group of technicians or autonomously with limited supervision.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.
- MUST be able to pass required physical including demonstrating your ability to lift the required weight for each position.
- MUST be able to stand and/or walk for entire 8-hour shift.
- MUST wear correct job specific PPE as designated by company policy.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Associate’s degree or higher in Refrigeration, HVAC, Electrical, Welding or similar fields preferred.
- Certification or licenses in Refrigeration Operator 1 & 2, CARO, CIRO, or RETA is highly preferred.
Note: The above information is only a reflection of the general nature of job duties. Based on business need, additional duties may be assigned.
BENEFITS:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
LINCOLN PREMIUM POULTRY
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE: Refrigeration Technician
DATE: 5/2026
REPORTS TO: Utilities Supervisor
STATUS: Non-Exempt
CORE VALUE COMMITMENT:
All employees will demonstrate our culture of commitment to quality, respect for fellow employees and business partners, and responsibility to the environment and our community.
JOB SUMMARY:
Responsible for the maintenance, repair, construction and modification of all refrigeration and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment with special emphasis on ammonia refrigeration and compressors and boilers.
DAILY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair manufacturing and ammonia refrigeration equipment or systems.
- Perform daily rounds/checks of ammonia system.
- Perform necessary preventative maintenance on all equipment, up to and including, rebuilding compressors and boilers as needed, and record necessary information pertaining to maintenance.
- Learn, follow, and be engaged in Process Safety Management (PSM).
- Utilize all manner of hand and power tools to diagnose, adjust, maintain, and repair electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment.
- Review work orders to ensure accuracy and maintain documentation of work performed.
- Assist with installation of new equipment or modify existing equipment as required.
- Provide training to peers as requested or needed by refrigeration lead, supervisor, or training department.
- Make suggestions for correctible measures when downtime results from mechanical or technical defects.
- Attend maintenance meetings and trainings as required.
- Identify opportunities for improvement and give feedback to supervisor about cost reduction, quality improvement and yield control.
- Follow all company safety policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
REQUIREMENTS OF THE POSITION:
- MUST have a minimum of 6 months industrial maintenance experience.
- MUST be comfortable and experienced utilizing hand and power tools of all varieties.
- MUST have knowledge of NH3 refrigeration principles and understanding of plant refrigeration systems, electric and mechanical procedures.
- MUST be able to pass a respiratory fit test and participate in the HAZMAT team.
- MUST have basic knowledge and safety understanding of electrical components.
- MUST have knowledge of basic math, including addition, subtraction, division, multiplication and calculating percentages.
- Skill in using a personal computer and various software applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
- Ability to work in a refrigerated environment ranging from 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner with all plant employees, as well as third party vendors and contractors.
- Ability to operate a forklift, scissors lift, or any other powered equipment or machinery as needed.
- Ability to consistently practice and enforce safe working habits.
- Ability to recognize safety risks and comply with all safety standards.
- Ability to work with a group of technicians or autonomously with limited supervision.
- Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and holidays.
- MUST be able to pass required physical including demonstrating your ability to lift the required weight for each position.
- MUST be able to stand and/or walk for entire 8-hour shift.
- MUST wear correct job specific PPE as designated by company policy.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Associate’s degree or higher in Refrigeration, HVAC, Electrical, Welding or similar fields preferred.
- Certification or licenses in Refrigeration Operator 1 & 2, CARO, CIRO, or RETA is highly preferred.
Note: The above information is only a reflection of the general nature of job duties. Based on business need, additional duties may be assigned.
BENEFITS:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
See all OPT Refrigeration Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Refrigeration Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Refrigeration Technician
Target employers with EPA Section 608 certification requirements
Companies that require EPA 608 certification for their technicians are serious about hiring credentialed professionals. These employers invest in long-term staff and are more likely to sponsor H-2B visa or H-1B visas for skilled refrigeration technicians after OPT ends.
Highlight any HVACR certifications on your resume
EPA 608, NATE certification, or state-level HVACR licenses signal to employers that you meet U.S. industry standards. Certified candidates face less friction in the hiring process and give employers stronger grounds for sponsorship documentation down the line.
Focus on commercial and industrial employers over residential
Large commercial facilities, cold storage warehouses, and food processing plants run complex refrigeration systems year-round. These operations have dedicated maintenance budgets and structured HR processes, making them more equipped to handle OPT paperwork and future visa sponsorship.
Address your OPT authorization proactively with employers
Many HVACR employers have never hired an international technician. Bring your EAD card and a one-page summary of your OPT work authorization to interviews. Removing ambiguity early builds confidence and prevents your application from stalling in the hiring process.
Track your OPT end date and initiate STEM extension early
If your degree qualifies, file your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your standard OPT expires. Refrigeration technician roles tied to engineering or applied technology degrees may qualify. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
Build relationships with union HVACR contractors
IBEW and UA-affiliated contractors employ large numbers of refrigeration technicians and often have established processes for work authorization compliance. Apprenticeship completions and union cards carry weight with these employers and strengthen your case for long-term sponsorship.
Refrigeration Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Refrigeration Technician on F-1 OPT?
Yes, as long as your job is directly related to your field of study. Refrigeration technician roles typically align with mechanical engineering technology, HVACR engineering, or applied technology degrees. Your EAD card authorizes full-time employment in your field. Confirm the connection with your DSO if your degree is in a closely related but not identical field.
Do Refrigeration Technician employers typically sponsor visas after OPT?
Some do, particularly large commercial refrigeration contractors, food distribution companies, and industrial facility operators. These employers depend on skilled technicians year-round and have reason to invest in sponsorship. Employers sponsoring H-2B visas are more common in this trade than H-1B, though H-1B remains an option for roles tied to engineering functions. Browse employers open to sponsorship on Migrate Mate.
Does a Refrigeration Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is in mechanical engineering technology, environmental systems engineering, or a related STEM field listed on the STEM OPT CIP code list, you may qualify for a 24-month extension. Confirm eligibility with your DSO. The role itself must also align with your degree at the time of the extension application.
What documents should I have ready when applying for Refrigeration Technician jobs on OPT?
Bring your EAD card, valid F-1 visa, I-20 with OPT authorization, and your passport to any job offer or onboarding meeting. Employers use these for I-9 employment verification. Having your EPA 608 certification, any state HVACR license, and a brief written explanation of OPT authorization ready also helps with employers unfamiliar with the program.
How do I find Refrigeration Technician jobs that are open to OPT students?
Use Migrate Mate to search Refrigeration Technician roles filtered for OPT-friendly employers. Many general job boards don't flag visa authorization requirements clearly, which wastes time. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with a history of sponsoring international workers, so you can focus your applications where there's genuine hiring interest.