Assistant Chief Engineer

Novo Health Services, LLC; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Paid Holidays

PTO

Job summary

NOVO Health Services is seeking a hands-on Assistant Chief Engineer to lead maintenance and reliability for our production equipment and facility systems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will drive preventive and predictive maintenance, troubleshoot complex mechanical/electrical issues, and mentor a team of technicians and vendors to achieve uptime and safety goals.

The role reports to the Chief Engineer and requires strong leadership, teamwork, and a commitment to continuous

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a technical field related to engineering or industrial operations.
• 5–10 years of progressive maintenance/engineering leadership in manufacturing or healthcare-related environments.
• Strong knowledge of industrial equipment, maintenance systems, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Experience leading maintenance personnel, contractors, or cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead maintenance and reliability programs for production equipment and facility systems.
• Drive preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to maximize uptime.
• Coach and mentor maintenance technicians, contractors, and service providers.
• Ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and accurate documentation of maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with Operations and Leadership to improve plant performance and implement improvements.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

CMMS proficiency

Troubleshooting

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

PLC/automation

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Vendor management

Education

Bachelors in Mechanical/Electrical/Industrial Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

CMMS

SCADA/automation controls

Job description

Get to know us: NOVO Health Services offers linen management solutions to the healthcare industry. NOVO Health keenly focuses on safety and infection control and provides its partner hospitals with a value-driven linen management control system that measures and monitors linen utilization by department to eliminate excess internal costs. NOVO's wide range of service programs offer a variety of options to provide a seamless, single source distribution system. NOVO's regional healthcare linen facilities are HLAC accredited and operate with state-of-the-art processing equipment and processes.

At NOVO Health Services, we are transforming healthcare linen management through innovation, operational excellence, and an unwavering commitment to safety and infection prevention. We partner with leading healthcare systems across the country to deliver hygienically clean linen solutions through advanced utilization tracking, inventory management, and distribution programs that help hospitals improve efficiency while reducing costs.

Our HLAC-accredited facilities utilize state-of-the-art processing technology, industry-leading quality standards, and best-in-class operational practices to ensure exceptional service for our healthcare partners every day.

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a highly motivated and technically skilled Assistant Chief Engineer to join our leadership team.

Position Summary

The Assistant Chief Engineer plays a critical leadership role in supporting the reliability, maintenance, and continuous improvement of production equipment, utilities, and facility systems. Reporting directly to the Chief Engineer, this individual will help drive equipment uptime, operational efficiency, workplace safety, regulatory compliance, and team development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on maintenance leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys solving complex technical challenges while developing high-performing teams.

What You'll Do

Maintenance & Equipment Reliability

• Assist the Chief Engineer in managing the maintenance, repair, and operation of all production equipment, utilities, and facility systems.
• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and automation-related issues.
• Analyze equipment performance and identify opportunities to improve throughput, efficiency, reliability, and asset utilization.
• Provide technical leadership during equipment failures, emergency repairs, and operational disruptions.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise, coach, and mentor maintenance technicians, contractors, and service providers.
• Ensure maintenance work orders and projects are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Support employee development through training, cross-training, and performance management.
• Promote a culture of accountability, teamwork, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Assist in workforce planning, scheduling, and resource allocation.

Safety, Compliance & Documentation

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, environmental requirements, company policies, and industry standards.
• Champion a strong safety culture through training, audits, inspections, and corrective action programs.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, work orders, and spare parts inventories through CMMS systems.
• Assist with the development and implementation of maintenance SOPs, preventive maintenance procedures, and best practices.
• Support capital projects from planning and budgeting through execution and startup.
• Collaborate with Operations, Production, Quality, and Leadership teams to improve overall plant performance.
• Assist with vendor management, contractor oversight, and procurement activities.
• Participate in facility upgrades, sustainability initiatives, energy management programs, and process improvement projects.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and reliability-centered maintenance principles.

Required Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field; equivalent experience considered.
• 5-10 years of progressive maintenance, engineering, reliability, or technical leadership experience within manufacturing, healthcare, pharmaceutical, textile, laundry, medical device, food processing, or similar industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of industrial equipment, maintenance systems, reliability programs, and troubleshooting methodologies.
• Experience leading maintenance personnel, contractors, or cross-functional teams.
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and workplace safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, blueprints, and equipment manuals.
• Experience utilizing Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work flexible schedules and respond to emergency maintenance situations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or related technical certification.
• Experience within commercial laundry, healthcare linen processing, textile manufacturing, hospitality laundry, or industrial laundering operations.
• Knowledge of boilers, steam systems, wastewater treatment systems, compressed air systems, and industrial utilities.
• Experience with PLCs, VFDs, automation controls, and industrial control systems.
• Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Reliability Engineering, or Continuous Improvement certifications.
• Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills.
• Experience managing maintenance budgets, capital expenditures, and facility improvement projects.
• Familiarity with energy management and sustainability initiatives.

Why Join NOVO Health Services?

At NOVO, our associates are the foundation of our success. We are committed to creating a safe, supportive, and growth-oriented workplace where employees are empowered to develop their careers and make a meaningful impact.

Competitive Benefits Package

• Competitive Compensation
• Paid Holidays
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities

Build Your Future with NOVO

NOVO Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.

What We Can Offer You As a Full-time Associate

Competitive pay

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off Program (PTO)

401(k) w/Employer Match

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Medical, Dental, and Vision Programs

Basic Life/AD&D Insurance

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Why work for Novo Health Services?

NOVO Health Services strives to be the employer of choice in the hospital sterile and hygienically clean linen industry.

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin veteran, or disability status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. Drug-Free Workplace.