The role
What you'll do
- Install complete HVAC systems: furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, boilers, ductless mini-splits, and geothermal equipment.
- Fabricate, assemble, and install supply and return ductwork; seal and insulate runs to spec.
- Run refrigerant line sets, condensate drains, gas piping, low- and line-voltage electrical hookups, and thermostat wiring.
- Commission new systems: verify airflow, static pressure, refrigerant charge, gas pressure, combustion analysis, and overall operation before leaving the job.
- Perform residential changeouts, new construction installations, and light commercial mechanical projects.
- Walk customers through their new system at completion — what it does, how to use the thermostat, what to expect from filters and maintenance.
- Coordinate with the install lead, service technicians, dispatchers, and parts coordinators to keep the job on schedule.
- Protect the customer's home — drop cloths, shoe covers, and a clean job site at the end of every day.
- Follow code, manufacturer installation instructions, and Buffington Brothers quality standards on every job.
What we expect
Required experience and certifications
- 3+ years of residential HVAC installation experience, or a strong helper/apprentice progression with verified install hours.
- EPA Section 608 certification.
- Comfortable with sheet metal layout and basic fabrication, brazing copper, and standard install hand and power tools.
- Competent with low-voltage and line-voltage electrical hookups; able to read installation drawings and wiring diagrams.
- Valid driver's license and a clean motor vehicle record.
Bonus points
Nice to have
- Lead installer experience on residential or light commercial jobs.
- Geothermal or commercial mechanical install background.
- Ductless mini-split installation training or certification.
- Familiarity with Carrier residential and light commercial equipment.
- Sheet metal shop or in-house fabrication experience.
The job, day-to-day
Physical requirements
- Lift, carry, and position equipment and materials up to 75 lbs regularly; heavier loads with assistance and proper rigging.
- Work in attics, crawl spaces, mechanical rooms, and on residential and light commercial rooftops.
- Climb ladders, work at heights, kneel, and stand for extended periods.
- Tolerate extreme indoor and outdoor working conditions across seasons.
- Drive a company truck or trailered equipment between Buffington's shop and project sites.
Schedule + pay
What to know
Schedule. Day shift, Monday through Friday, with occasional overtime during peak replacement season.
Location. Out of Poplar Bluff, MO · projects across Southeast Missouri & Northeast Arkansas
Pay. Pay is based on install experience, certifications, and lead capability, and is reviewed with each candidate during the interview. Buffington discusses base pay, overtime, paid time off, holidays, insurance options, and retirement program details directly — no guessing from a job board.
Buffington Brothers is an equal-opportunity employer. We hire on qualifications, character, and fit for the role — without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status.
Why Buffington
What makes this a place worth working
A family-owned company with a name to protect.
Buffington Brothers has answered service calls in Poplar Bluff since 1951. Three generations have run this shop, and the name on the truck is the family answering the phone.
Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer.
Manufacturer-backed training, factory updates, and access to current Carrier residential and light commercial equipment.
Residential and commercial work, year-round.
Service calls, equipment changeouts, ductwork, indoor air quality, maintenance plans, and commercial mechanical projects keep the schedule full in every season.
Local coworkers, local customers.
Crews, dispatchers, and office staff live in the same Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas communities they serve.
Next step
How to apply
Send your résumé
Email or drop off your résumé and tell us briefly what kind of work you've done and what you're looking for next.
Phone conversation
If your experience lines up, we'll set up a short phone call. We answer real questions about the role, the schedule, and pay.
In-person interview at the shop
Meet the team at 110 N Riverview Dr in Poplar Bluff. We'll show you the operation and talk through what your first 90 days would look like.