Central Utility Plant Manager

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 167,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision

Paid parental leave

Paid Time Off

Early access to earned wages

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated is looking for a Central Utility Plant Manager in Sunnyvale, CA. In this role, you'll manage critical central utility plant systems within commercial environments, optimizing operational performance and energy efficiency.

Your leadership will influence facility performance while ensuring compliance with regulations. Overseeing a skilled team, you'll develop maintenance strategies, analyze energy data, and prepare operational reports.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in central utility plant operations.
• Strong working knowledge of chiller plants, boiler systems, and HVAC systems.
• Valid stationary engineer license or equivalent certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of plant operators and technicians.
• Monitor and optimize plant operations for efficiency and reliability.
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance programs.

Skills

Leadership

Facility management

Energy management

Problem-solving

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Building Automation Systems

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way. Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

What this job involves - As a Central Utility Plant Manager at JLL, you'll oversee the complete operations of critical central utility plant systems that power large-scale commercial, healthcare, or campus environments. This role places you at the heart of mission‑critical infrastructure, where your technical expertise and leadership directly impact facility performance, energy efficiency, and operational continuity. You'll manage complex mechanical systems including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, and building automation systems while leading a team of skilled technicians and engineers. At JLL, we embrace more innovative ways of working and prioritize opportunities to strengthen and advance your career, giving you the platform to drive operational excellence while developing cutting‑edge solutions in energy management and sustainability. Your strategic oversight will ensure regulatory compliance, optimize system performance, and deliver measurable value to our clients through proactive maintenance strategies and continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires both hands‑on technical knowledge and strong leadership capabilities as you balance day‑to‑day operations with long‑term strategic planning.

What your day‑to‑day will look like:

• Lead and mentor a team of plant operators, technicians, and engineers, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning
• Monitor and optimize central utility plant operations including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and related HVAC systems to ensure maximum efficiency and reliability
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs that minimize downtime and extend equipment lifecycle
• Analyze energy consumption data and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, cost savings, and sustainability initiatives
• Ensure full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations including environmental, safety, and operational standards
• Manage vendor relationships, contractor performance, and procurement processes for equipment, parts, and services
• Respond to emergency situations and system failures with swift troubleshooting and resolution strategies
• Prepare operational reports, budget forecasts, and capital improvement plans for stakeholder review
• Collaborate with facility management teams, clients, and engineering consultants to align utility plant operations with broader organizational goals

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in central utility plant operations, facilities management, or critical infrastructure environments
• Strong working knowledge of chiller plants, boiler systems, cooling towers, pumps, and building automation systems (BAS)
• Valid stationary engineer license, boiler operator license, or equivalent certification as required by local jurisdiction
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing technical teams and driving operational performance
• Proven track record in budget management, cost control, and capital project planning
• Excellent problem‑solving abilities with experience in emergency response and system troubleshooting
• Strong understanding of energy management principles, sustainability practices, and regulatory compliance requirements

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related discipline
• Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Plant Engineer (CPE), or Building Operator Certification (BOC)
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and energy management platforms
• Background in healthcare, higher education, mission‑critical, or large commercial campus environments
• Knowledge of LEED, ASHRAE standards, and advanced energy efficiency technologies
• Experience implementing Lean or Six Sigma methodologies in operational environments
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to translate technical concepts for non‑technical audiences

This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Estimated compensation for this position: 167,200.00 – 219,980.00 USD per year

Range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location: On-site –Sunnyvale, CA

Job Tags: Google Jobs

Personalized benefits that support personal well‑being and growth:

• 401(k) plan with matching company contributions
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care
• Paid parental leave at 100% of salary
• Paid Time Off and Company Holidays
• Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay

At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you’re pursuing.

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country.

For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.

Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

California Residents only. If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For further information, visit jll.com.

We help our people thrive, grow meaningful careers, and find a place where they belong. Together, we strive to be exceptional and shape a better world. For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.