Chief Engineer, Central Utility Plant

JLL; Georgia; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical, Dental & Vision

Parental leave

Paid time off

Daily Pay

Job summary

JLL is seeking a Chief Engineer, Central Utility Plant for a premier hospital account in Houston, TX. You will lead the critical utility generation and distribution systems ensuring uninterrupted clinical operations.

The role requires extensive experience with high‑pressure steam, cogeneration, and BAS, plus strong leadership skills to mentor a team of operators. This is a 3rd shift position with a focus on reliability and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years operating large central utility plants with 5+ years in leadership in healthcare or high‑reliability settings.
• Valid First‑Class Stationary Engineer license or equivalent state/local high‑pressure boiler/refrigeration certifications.
• Extensive knowledge of high‑pressure steam systems, chilled water loops, cogeneration (CHP), and BAS.
• Strong understanding of ASME, EPA, OSHA, NFPA, and Joint Commission standards.
• Proven ability to lead technical teams through emergency diagnostics and recovery.
• Experience with commissioning/startup/testing of large chillers, boilers, or CHP in live hospital settings.

Responsibilities

• Direct the 24/7 operation, maintenance, and water chemistry of steam boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and CUP equipment.
• Lead and develop a high‑performing team of plant operators and stationary engineers.
• Mentor staff with clear technical guidance and professional development.
• Monitor plant efficiency, fuel use, and distribution to lower costs and carbon footprint.
• Ensure strict compliance with local, state, and federal regulations governing plant ops.
• Manage CMMS programs to maximize reliability and minimize downtime.
• Coordinate with hospital leadership for critical shutdowns and equipment changes.
• Respond to plant emergencies and implement recovery protocols.
• Oversee budgets, vendor contracts, and external contractors for major projects.

Skills

Plant leadership

BAS knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Troubleshooting

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

BAS

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.

Shift Schedule: 3rd Shift (Night) - _ overnight _ _ hours _

What this job involves:

As the Chief Engineer, Central Utility Plant (CUP) for a premier hospital client account, you will lead the critical utility generation and distribution infrastructure that serves as the heartbeat of the clinical campus. This role has ultimate oversight of the central plant, including high-pressure steam boilers, large centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, cogeneration systems, and emergency power generation. Yourexpertiseensures the uninterrupted delivery of thermal and electrical utilities essential for patient care and life-safety operations.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Direct the safe and efficient 24/7 operation, maintenance, and water chemistry of high-pressure steam boilers, centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, and auxiliary CUP equipment.

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of plant operators and stationary engineers, ensuring we support each other’s wellbeing and champion inclusivity and belonging across teams.

• We believe the most effective teams are built when everyone is empowered to thrive, so you will actively mentor staff,provideclear technical guidance, and encourage professional development.

• Monitor plant efficiency, fuel consumption, and utility distribution,optimizingplant operations to reduce carbon footprints and lower operating costs.

• Ensure strict compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations governing boilers, pressure vessels, emissions, fuel storage, and water discharge.

• Manage the plant’s predictive and preventative maintenanceprogramsutilizingcomputerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to maximize plant reliability and minimize downtime.

• Coordinate closely with hospital leadership and clinical operations to plan and execute critical utility distribution shutdowns and major equipment changeovers with zero impact on clinical operations.

• Respondimmediatelyto plant emergencies, troubleshooting equipmentfailuresandimplementing recoveryprotocols tomaintainuninterrupted utility services to the hospital.

• Oversee plant operational budgets, manage utility vendor contracts, and supervise external contractors working on major plant capital improvement projects.

Required qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of experienceoperatingand maintaining large central utility plants, with at least 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a hospital, healthcare, or high-reliability industrial setting.

• A valid First-Class Stationary Engineer license or equivalent state/local high-pressure boiler and refrigeration operator certifications.

• Extensive technical knowledge of high-pressure steam systems, chilled water loops, industrial water treatment, cogeneration (CHP) systems, and computerized Building Automation Systems (BAS).

• Demonstrated understanding of regulatory requirements governing plant operations, including ASME, EPA, OSHA, NFPA, and Joint Commission standards.

• Proven ability to manage complex mechanical and thermal calculations tooptimizeplant thermodynamics and efficiency.

• Exceptional problem-solving skills and the ability to lead technical teams through emergency diagnostic and recovery situations under high-pressure conditions.

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering, Facilities Management, ora relatedtechnical discipline.

• Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM) or Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) designation.

• We embrace more innovative ways of working and prioritize opportunities to strengthen and advance your career, making experience with smart-plant automation, IoT-driven predictive maintenance, or digital twins highly desirable.

• We choose to take the more inspiring, innovative, and optimistic path on our journey toward success, soa track recordof driving significant decarbonization or energy-reduction initiatives within a CUP is highly valued.

• Experience with the commissioning, startup, and testing of newly installed industrial chillers, boilers, or cogeneration units in a live hospital setting.

Shift Schedule: 3rd Shift (Night) - _ overnight _ _ hours _

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

Location:

On-site –Houston, TX

Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth:

JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include:

• 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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