Chief Engineer

JLL; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical Dental Vision

Parental leave

Paid time off

Daily pay

Job summary

JLL in Hopkinsville, KY is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the engineering team and set the strategic direction for facility operations. You will drive reliability-based maintenance, oversee HVAC/electrical/BAS systems, and manage budgets and vendor relationships to maximize asset performance.

You will supervise a multi-disciplinary team, champion safety, and collaborate with client leadership to deliver superior service while ensuring regulatory compliance and safe operation across all

Qualifications

• 7+ years of facility-related work experience, incl. 3–5 years in senior leadership.
• HVAC, electrical distribution, BAS, energy management knowledge.
• Universal Technician for CFCs or equivalent certification; Electrical license preferred.
• Strong budget management with cross-functional leadership and communication.
• Experience with CMMS and standard office software.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational management and strategic direction of the engineering team.
• Ensure 100% uptime; manage budgets, vendors, and regulatory compliance.
• Develop reliability-based maintenance and AI-driven predictive maintenance.
• Oversee building systems, safety programs, and asset performance.
• Mentor staff and foster accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Education

PE license / Professional Engineer

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Associate Degree in engineering

Universal Technician for CFCs

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

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 peopleand empowering them tothrive, 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.

Chief Engineer - JLL

What this job involves:

As Chief Engineer, you will lead the operational management and strategic direction of our engineering team, serving as the primary technical advisor to facility management and client leadership. This critical role combines hands-on operational expertise with strategic leadership, overseeing the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all building systems and infrastructure. You'll be responsible for protecting and enhancing the value of client assets by implementing reliability-based maintenance programs, driving innovation through AI-powered predictive maintenance and building automation technologies, and fostering a culture of operational excellence and safety. Working at the intersection of engineering expertise, team leadership, and client partnership, you'll ensure 100% uptime while managing budgets, vendor relationships, and regulatory compliance. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of facility operations by leveraging emerging technologies and leading a high-performing team committed to delivering exceptional service and maximizing asset performance.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Monitor and oversee operation of critical building systems including HVAC, refrigeration, boilers, electrical distribution, and mechanical equipment; leverage AI-powered predictive maintenance tools, IoT sensors, and building automation systems to anticipate equipment failures and optimize performance
• Lead and develop your engineering team through coaching, performance management, safety training, and professional development while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, oversee service delivery and compliance with service level agreements, and ensure adherence to CFWA (Critical Facility Work Authorization) processes for work on critical infrastructure
• Oversee engineering department budget including labor, materials, and capital projects; analyze financial and operational metrics to identify cost‑saving opportunities and drive operational efficiencies
• Champion safety culture by conducting safety audits, implementing training programs, ensuring OSHA compliance, and maintaining all regulatory documentation and building infrastructure records
• Serve as trusted technical advisor to clients and senior leadership, conducting regular business reviews, addressing concerns proactively, and delivering strategic recommendations for complex facility challenges
• Respond to critical facility emergencies and infrastructure issues during off‑hours as needed to ensure business continuity and minimize operational disruptions

Required Qualifications:

• Associate Degree in engineering discipline or equivalent work experience, with 7+ years of facility-related work experience including at least 3-5 years in senior supervisory or leadership role managing engineering teams
• Comprehensive technical knowledge of HVAC systems, electrical distribution, mechanical systems, building automation systems (BAS), and energy management platforms, with proficiency in CMMS and Microsoft Office applications
• Certification as Universal Technician for CFCs (or obtainable within 90 days), Operating Engineers license (SMA) or equivalent, and valid electrical license or certification highly preferred
• Proven leadership capabilities with demonstrated ability to hire, train, mentor, and develop high‑performing teams while managing multiple priorities and complex operational challenges
• Strong budget management expertise with track record of delivering results within financial constraints, combined with exceptional communication skills and customer service orientation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, with Professional Engineer (PE) license or professional certifications such as CPE, CMM, CFM, or PMP
• Experience implementing AI-driven solutions, smart building technologies, IoT sensors, or advanced automation platforms for facility optimization and predictive maintenance
• Background in energy conservation initiatives, sustainability programs, green building certifications (LEED, Energy Star), and continuous improvement methodologies (lean, six sigma, RCM)
• Track record of successfully leading change management initiatives, operational transformation projects, or large‑scale capital improvement programs
• Experience managing multi‑site engineering operations or supporting geographically dispersed mission‑critical facilities

Location: Hopkinsville, KY

Shift: 08 Hour Day - 1st Shift/Morning Shift

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

Location:

On-site -Hopkinsville, KY

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.

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