Traveling HVAC/Refrigeration Foreman

The Traveling Foreman - HVAC/R is responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of commercial and industrial HVAC/R installation activities at project locations throughout the company's operating region. This position travels to active project sites and provides direct leadership to Installers, Apprentices, and other assigned field personnel.

The Traveling Foreman is responsible for organizing daily work, directing crew activities, maintaining productivity, ensuring quality workmanship, and completing installations in accordance with project drawings, specifications, schedules, safety requirements, and company standards.

The Traveling Foreman works closely with the Superintendent to coordinate manpower, materials, equipment, work sequencing, and project requirements. This position is responsible for identifying field issues, maintaining safety and quality standards, and communicating project needs or concerns to the Superintendent in a timely manner.

The Traveling Foreman is expected to lead by example, develop craft personnel, promote teamwork and accountability, and ensure the crew performs work safely, productively, and professionally regardless of project location.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Crew Leadership & Daily Field Operations

• Travel to assigned commercial and industrial HVAC/R project locations and provide direct leadership of field crews.
• Lead and direct Installers, Apprentices, and other assigned field personnel in the daily execution of HVAC/R construction activities.
• Organize daily work assignments and ensure crew members understand priorities, expectations, and production requirements.
• Coordinate daily activities with the Superintendent and adjust work assignments as project conditions change.
• Establish efficient work sequences to maximize crew productivity and minimize downtime.
• Monitor crew productivity, workmanship, attendance, and use of tools and equipment.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance and support to crew members.
• Lead by example and maintain a professional, productive, and respectful jobsite environment.
• Assist with the coordination of Independent Contractors and other trade partners when assigned.
• Ensure the crew has the necessary tools, equipment, materials, drawings, and information to perform the work.

HVAC/R Installation

• Perform and oversee installation of commercial and industrial HVAC/R piping, equipment, and related systems.
• Read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, specifications, details, and coordination/BIM drawings.
• Lay out and coordinate HVAC/R piping and equipment installations in accordance with project requirements.
• Assist with equipment setting, piping fabrication and installation, supports, insulation coordination, and system connections.
• Coordinate installation activities with controls, electrical, structural, and other building systems.
• Perform or oversee pressure testing, evacuation, charging, startup, and other HVAC/R activities as qualified and directed.
• Verify installations comply with manufacturer requirements, project specifications, applicable codes, and company standards.
• Identify installation conflicts or constructability concerns and communicate them to the Superintendent before proceeding.
• Assist with troubleshooting and resolving technical and installation issues in the field.

Safety

• Lead by example and promote a strong safety culture within the crew.
• Conduct and participate in daily safety meetings, toolbox talks, job hazard analyses, and required safety observations.
• Ensure crew members understand and follow company safety policies, OSHA requirements, EPA requirements, and project-specific safety procedures.
• Identify and immediately address unsafe conditions, work practices, and jobsite hazards.
• Ensure proper use of personal protective equipment and required safety equipment.
• Maintain awareness of elevated work, rigging, lifting, hot work, confined spaces, refrigerants, electrical hazards, and other jobsite risks.
• Report incidents, near misses, injuries, and safety concerns to the Superintendent immediately.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.

Quality Control

• Inspect work performed by the crew to ensure installations meet project drawings, specifications, manufacturer requirements, and company quality standards.
• Verify proper layout, installation, workmanship, supports, connections, and system components.
• Identify quality concerns and correct deficiencies before work progresses.
• Ensure work is completed correctly the first time and minimize rework.
• Coordinate required inspections and testing with the Superintendent.
• Maintain proper care and handling of equipment, materials, and tools.

Productivity & Material Management

• Monitor daily crew productivity and communicate progress to the Superintendent.
• Assist the Superintendent in identifying manpower requirements and potential productivity issues.
• Ensure materials are properly received, staged, protected, and utilized.
• Identify material shortages or incorrect materials before they impact production.
• Minimize material waste and promote efficient use of company resources.
• Maintain and protect company tools, equipment, and jobsite assets.
• Identify opportunities for prefabrication and improved installation methods that increase safety, quality, and productivity.

Planning & Coordination

• Participate in daily and weekly planning activities with the Superintendent.
• Support Pull Planning, Six-Week Look Ahead Planning, and other Lean construction practices as directed.
• Review upcoming work and identify manpower, material, equipment, access, and coordination needs.
• Communicate field constraints and potential schedule impacts to the Superintendent.
• Coordinate daily activities with other trades to prevent conflicts and maintain workflow.
• Assist with preparing work areas and materials for upcoming activities.

Communication & Documentation

• Maintain consistent communication with the Superintendent regarding daily progress, manpower, materials, productivity, safety, quality, and field conditions.
• Communicate changes in scope, field conflicts, drawing discrepancies, and other project concerns promptly.
• Assist with daily reports, timekeeping, production tracking, material requests, and other required field documentation.
• Ensure crew members understand changes to drawings, schedules, installation requirements, and project priorities.
• Maintain professional communication with General Contractors, other trades, vendors, inspectors, and project personnel when required.
• Escalate significant technical, safety, quality, manpower, or schedule issues to the Superintendent.

Leadership & Employee Development

• Train and mentor Apprentices and less-experienced Installers in proper HVAC/R installation methods and safe work practices.
• Provide hands-on instruction and demonstrate proper use of tools, equipment, and installation techniques.
• Provide constructive feedback and reinforce company expectations for safety, quality, productivity, and professionalism.
• Identify employees with leadership potential and communicate development opportunities to the Superintendent.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, respect, and a positive jobsite culture.
• Help establish consistent installation practices and standards across project locations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of commercial or industrial HVAC/R construction experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading HVAC/R crews or serving in a Lead Installer role.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial and industrial HVAC/R installation practices.
• EPA certification appropriate to assigned responsibilities required.
• Journeyman license or equivalent trade credentials preferred.
• Texas ACR Registration or applicable state/local licensing preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record required.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively and work at different project locations.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong knowledge of commercial and industrial HVAC/R construction methods and installation practices.
• Knowledge of HVAC/R piping, equipment installation, controls coordination, pressure testing, evacuation, charging, startup, and commissioning.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, construction drawings, specifications, submittals, and coordination/BIM drawings.
• Strong understanding of construction safety practices, OSHA requirements, EPA requirements, and applicable mechanical codes.
• Strong leadership and crew-management skills.
• Ability to train, mentor, and develop less-experienced craft personnel.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize daily work and adjust to changing jobsite conditions.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify potential safety, quality, productivity, and scheduling issues.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a project team and follow direction from the Superintendent and Project Management.
• Ability to lead a crew while remaining actively involved in field installation activities.
• Ability to adapt to different project environments, customers, General Contractors, crews, and site conditions.

Travel Requirements

• This is a traveling position. Frequent travel to commercial and industrial HVAC/R project locations is an essential function of the job.
• Ability to travel extensively by automobile and airplane as project requirements dictate.
• Travel may require extended stays away from the employee's home location.
• Ability to work on projects throughout the company's operating region and other locations as business needs require.
• Willingness to work varying schedules based on project requirements, including extended stays, weekends, holidays, and overtime when necessary.
• Must be flexible regarding project assignments, duration of assignments, and work locations.
• Company travel policies, lodging, mileage, per diem, and other travel-related requirements will apply in accordance with company policy.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is routinely performed on active construction and industrial jobsites with exposure to extreme heat and cold, noise, vibration, dust, fumes, oils, elevated work areas, uneven surfaces, floor openings, construction debris, and other jobsite hazards.
• Ability to safely navigate active construction environments and wear required personal protective equipment, including a portable respirator when required.
• Ability to climb and maintain balance on ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other elevated work areas.
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds routinely, 50 pounds frequently, and 80 pounds occasionally.
• Ability to kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, push, pull, twist, grasp, and perform repetitive physical activities as required.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and perform hands-on installation work.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, or other non-standard schedules when project requirements dictate.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining safety, quality, and productivity.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.

Leadership Level / Accountability

The Traveling Foreman is the primary crew-level leader responsible for the safe, productive, and high-quality execution of assigned HVAC/R work at each project location.

The Traveling Foreman is accountable for daily crew performance, including safety, quality, productivity, workmanship, housekeeping, and proper use of materials, tools, and equipment.

The Traveling Foreman works under the direction of the Superintendent and is responsible for communicating daily field conditions, progress, constraints, and resource needs. The Foreman is expected to take ownership of the crew's work, resolve routine field issues, and promptly escalate significant technical, safety, quality, manpower, or schedule concerns to the Superintendent.

The Traveling Foreman leads by example and plays a critical role in developing Installers and Apprentices into highly skilled craft professionals and future field leaders.

Founded in 1946, TDIndustries is a premier, employee-owned Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) company delivering full-lifecycle building solutions-from design and construction to service and facilities maintenance. We power critical environments like hospitals, schools, data centers, stadiums, and commercial buildings across Texas and the Southwest.

Our Partners (employees) are the core of our success. As an employee-owned company, you have a voice, a stake, and a clear path to grow. Recognized by FORTUNE Magazine as a "100 Best Company to Work For," we invest in top training, career development, and a culture built on trust and servant leadership.

Join a growing team where your skills matter, and your future is built to last.

At TDIndustries, we believe opportunity should be built - and shared - by all. Whether you work with tools or technology, in the field or the office, we hire and grow people based on skill, potential, and integrity - never labels. We value the diverse paths that bring people to our team and welcome Partners of all backgrounds, including differences in race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ability, military service, and more. What matters most is how we work together to build excellence.