Chief Engineer - 685

AIT Global Inc.; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Grainger seeks a Chief Engineer to lead engineering and maintenance for facilities supporting the Corporate Headquarters and Data Center in Lake Forest, IL. You will ensure safe, reliable operation of complex systems and mentor maintenance staff to uphold high standards.

You will drive reliability, energy efficiency, and cost optimization while coordinating with stakeholders across Real Estate, Business Continuity, and critical operations.

Qualifications

• 7+ years progressive experience in facilities engineering.
• 5+ years data center maintenance experience.
• Associate's Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational leadership for engineering and maintenance.
• Lead and develop maintenance technicians.
• Oversee preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance.
• Develop reliability-centered maintenance strategies.
• Budget and manage capital projects from concept to completion.
• Provide CMMS, asset management oversight and contractor management.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to manage operational risk.

Skills

Maintenance leadership

CMMS administration

Building automation

Facilities operations

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Associate's Degree

Tools

CMMS software

Asset management tools

Job description

Job Title: Chief Engineer - 685
Location: LAKE FOREST, IL

JOB SUMMARY:

The Chief Engineer provides technical and operational leadership for engineering and maintenance operations supporting Grainger's Corporate Headquarters and Data Center. This role is accountable for the safe, reliable, and efficient performance of building infrastructure and critical systems that support continuous business operations. The Chief Engineer serves as a senior technical resource, providing direction on complex equipment and infrastructure issues, maintenance and reliability strategies, emergency response, capital projects, and long-term asset performance.

This role leads and develops maintenance technicians, provides technical oversight of vendors and contractors, and partners with Corporate Real Estate, Business Continuity, Critical Space Operations, and other key stakeholders to manage operational risk and support facility and business needs. The Chief Engineer also serves as a subject matter expert for building automation, CMMS, maintenance planning, asset management, and engineering best practices while driving continuous improvement in safety, reliability, energy efficiency, operating costs, and team capability.

Key Responsibilities:

• At Fortune 500 Corporate Headquarters that includes a data center and very large, complex mechanical equipment this role will:
• Provide technical and operational leadership for engineering and maintenance functions, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life safety, controls, and critical infrastructure systems.
• Serve as the facility's senior technical resource for complex equipment and infrastructure issues, providing technical direction, advanced troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and solutions that reduce operational risk and improve system reliability.
• Lead, coach, and develop maintenance technicians by establishing engineering and maintenance standards, strengthening technical capabilities, providing hands‑on training, and promoting consistent execution of safe and effective work practices.
• Direct and prioritize preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities based on business impact, operational risk, equipment criticality, regulatory requirements, and available resources. Develop reliability-centered maintenance strategies that improve equipment availability, extend asset life, and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Lead maintenance, infrastructure, renovation, and capital improvement projects from concept through completion, including business justification, scope development, budgeting, technical review, contractor coordination, execution, commissioning, closeout, and stakeholder communication.
• Provide technical oversight of contractors, vendors, and service providers by establishing performance requirements, monitoring service levels, resolving complex issues, validating completed work, managing costs, and ensuring compliance with company standards, applicable codes, and regulatory requirements.
• Partner with the Facility Manager to develop operating and capital budgets, forecast maintenance expenditures, assess lifecycle costs and infrastructure risks, identify replacement needs, and develop long‑range capital plans that support reliable and cost‑effective facility operations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and technical leader for CMMS, asset management, business continuity, emergency response, and facility recovery while driving continuous improvement in safety, reliability, energy efficiency, maintenance effectiveness, technician productivity, data quality, operating costs, and customer satisfaction.

JOB DESCRIPTION DISCLAIMER:

This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED - Required
• Associate's Degree - preferred

Work Experience:

• Experience - 7+ years progressive experience in commercial or industrial facilities engineering, building operations, or critical infrastructure maintenance. required
• 5+ years data center maintenance experience - required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• KSAs
• Experience managing capital construction and infrastructure improvement projects
• Knowledge of CMMS administration and maintenance planning.
• Knowledge working with Building Automation Systems, HVAC controls, electrical distribution, emergency power, chilled water systems, and critical facility operations.