Job Description

Lead Refrigeration Engineer - Sorrells Custom Wine Rooms

Location: Essex, UK (Rayleigh HQ with UK-wide travel and occasional international projects)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Competitive Salary - Travel expenses and accommodation covered for out-of-area work.
Requirements: Valid F-Gas Certification; 5+ years in refrigeration installation & servicing (leadership experience preferred)

About Sorrells Custom Wine Rooms

Sorrells Custom Wine Rooms is the UK's leading specialist in luxury wine cellar design and installation. We have a proud 75-year history of crafting bespoke wine rooms and storage solutions for high-end residential and commercial clients. All key elements of our projects - from hand-made joinery to state-of-the-art cellar cooling systems - are designed and manufactured in-house to ensure uncompromising quality. After a period of rapid growth and soaring demand for our custom cellar refrigeration systems, we are expanding our refrigeration division. We're looking for an engineer to lead our refrigeration team and help shape the future of wine cellar climate control at Sorrells.

The Role: Key Responsibilities

As the Lead Refrigeration Engineer, you will be the go-to technical expert and field leader for our cellar cooling projects. You'll take ownership of installation quality, onsite coordination, and process improvement. Key responsibilities include:

Install & Commission Systems:

Lead the installation and commissioning of ducted and split refrigeration systems tailored for wine cellars, ensuring they meet design specifications and deliver optimal climate conditions. (Projects range from private home cellars to commercial wine storage rooms at exclusive venues.)

Custom Solutions:

Design and build occasional bespoke solutions (e.g. water-cooled condensers or specialised refrigeration units) for unique project requirements, working closely with our design team to innovate when needed.

Troubleshooting & Field Leadership:

Act as the senior problem-solver on-site - diagnose issues swiftly, implement fixes, and guide the team through complex technical challenges. You'll lead by example in the field, providing clear direction to the team of engineers and contractors to maintain a high standard of work.

Site Readiness & Planning:

Develop and enforce site-readiness checklists and installation plans before work begins. Coordinate with project managers and contractors to verify that prerequisites (equipment, electrical isolators, concrete pads, etc.) are in place, preventing avoidable delays or last-minute surprises.

Quality Assurance & Workflow:

Establish consistent QA procedures and workflow standards for refrigeration installations. This includes creating and following rigorous quality checklists, ensuring every installation is executed with precision and consistency. You will own the end-to-end process from workshop prep to final commissioning, raising the bar for how we deliver complex projects.

Continuous Improvement:

Provide feedback and recommendations to management on tools, parts, and process improvements. Help build the refrigeration division's capabilities by identifying training needs, suggesting procurement improvements, and mentoring newer team members. Your insights will be vital in maturing our operations and preventing recurring pain points.

What We're Looking For

Preferred Experience:
- Experience with cellar-specific refrigeration, water-cooled condensers, and remote-controlled refrigeration systems.
- Strong familiarity with commissioning and maintenance procedures for climate-controlled storage.

We seek an experienced Refrigeration professional, who is passionate about doing things right and ready to step into a leadership role. The ideal candidate will have:

Certification & Experience:

Valid F-Gas certification (Category 1) and at least 5 years of hands-on experience installing and servicing refrigeration or refrigeration systems. Prior experience leading teams or running projects is highly beneficial.

Technical Mastery:

Strong knowledge of split and ducted refrigeration systems and familiarity with refrigeration principles. Ability to interpret technical drawings and specifications. Experience with water-cooled condensers or cellar cooling units is a plus.

Problem-Solving Skills:

Excellent diagnostic and troubleshooting abilities. You approach challenges methodically and stay cool under pressure when complex issues arise.

Organisational Skills:

A proactive planner who preempts issues - you're someone who ensures the van is stocked, tools are ready, and sites are prepared. Keen attention to detail with an eye for site conditions, safety, and completeness.

Leadership & Communication:

Proven ability to lead crews or mentor junior engineers. You communicate clearly with clients, colleagues, and contractors. You take ownership, inspire others with a "get it right the first time" attitude, and are comfortable making decisions on the fly to keep projects on track.

Work Ethic & Travel Readiness:

Self-motivated and reliable, with a genuine pride in craftsmanship. Willingness to travel across the UK and occasionally overseas for installations. (All travel expenses and accommodations are covered - you just bring your expertise.) A valid UK driving licence and ability to work away from home on multi-day projects are required.
If you're an refrigeration/refrigeration engineer who's grown frustrated with chaotic job sites or poor planning, this is your chance to drive change. We want someone who will take charge and ensure our projects run like clockwork.

Team Expansion Note:

- This is a key hire to support a growing portfolio of premium wine room clients.
- You'll be involved in shaping SOPs, training junior engineers, and improving customer service continuity.

What We Offer

When you join Sorrells as Lead Refrigeration Engineer, you're stepping into a key role with the chance to truly make an impact. We offer:

Leadership & Autonomy:

This is a genuine leadership position. You will have the autonomy to shape our refrigeration division's processes and set the standard for excellence. Your ideas will be heard, and you'll play a major part in decision-making for tools, training, and techniques as we grow.

Exciting Projects:

Work on high-end, one-of-a-kind projects that few engineers ever get to tackle. From subterranean home wine cellars to climate-controlled vaults in luxury hotels, you'll apply your craft in some extraordinary settings. Every project is different, keeping the work fresh and challenging.

Professional Growth:

We are committed to your development. You'll collaborate with master craftsmen in joinery, metalwork, and design, broadening your knowledge of integrated wine cellar systems. We also support additional training and certification to help you expand your technical and leadership skills.

Supportive Team Culture:

Join a passionate, close-knit team that takes pride in their work. We prioritise quality over quantity and teamwork over ego. You'll have the backing of an experienced support staff and management that understands the importance of proper planning and resources for the job. Our culture is built on doing things right and delivering an exceptional product to our clients.

How to Apply

If you're ready to

take the lead

in delivering world-class wine cellar cooling systems, we want to hear from you! Please submit your CV and a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and what excites you about this opportunity.

Apply now

and help us build the next chapter of Sorrells' legacy in fine wine storage. We look forward to reviewing your application and potentially welcoming you to the team!

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

Company pension On-site parking
Application question(s):

Are you located within an hour of Rayleigh?
Experience:

Refrigeration Engineer : 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person