Subject Matter Expert - Industrial Refrigeration

Johnson Controls (Switzerland) seeks a Senior Subject Matter Expert in Industrial Refrigeration based in Bassersdorf-Zurich. The role requires deep hands-on experience with NH₃ systems, technical leadership on complex projects, and support for project teams and operations. Hybrid work model, full-time position.

This role is for a technical expert in industrial refrigeration, focused on ammonia (NH₃) systems, who will lead the most complex projects from design through commissioning. The expert will serve as a technical authority, support project teams with practical knowledge, and provide escalation support for operational issues, while also mentoring junior colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Lead technically complex industrial refrigeration projects, especially those using NH₃, through design, build coordination, and commissioning, ensuring successful first-time start-up and acceptance.
• Act as the Technical Authority for the portfolio by conducting design reviews, risk assessments, and approving or waiving critical decisions and changes.
• Support project engineers and managers with practical field expertise, including equipment selection, P&IDs, system sizing, piping concepts, defrost strategies, oil management, safety functions, and control systems.
• Provide escalation support after commissioning by helping operations and service teams diagnose and fix complex plant issues, and lead structured root cause analysis (RCA).
• Mentor and coach junior team members through technical reviews, on-the-job training, and short training sessions to build team capability.
• Represent Johnson Controls in technical discussions with customers, contractors, and vendors, and support factory and site acceptance tests (FAT/SAT) and supplier clarifications.

Requirements

• Extensive hands-on experience in industrial refrigeration, with a strong focus on ammonia (NH₃); ideally 20+ years, with depth and relevance being most important.
• Proven ability to work independently, including making design decisions, troubleshooting during commissioning/start-up, and diagnosing complex faults in operating plants.
• Strong capability to read and critically assess P&IDs and technical documentation, with a practical understanding of system behavior and failure modes.
• No formal degree is required; a vocational/technician background or engineering education is acceptable—proven experience is the key requirement.
• Fluent in either English or German.

Nice to have

• Experience with natural refrigerants, particularly ammonia, is a strong advantage.
• Proficiency in the other language (English or German) is beneficial.