Lead Engineer

JLL; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a seasoned facilities engineer for our Seattle area operations. The role focuses on leading building engineering activities, ensuring safe and reliable infrastructure, and coordinating maintenance and project work with contractors and vendors.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in commercial or industrial facility systems, strong HVAC, electrical, and controls knowledge, and proven leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, controls, utilities, and safe maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, troubleshoot complex systems, and communicate across teams.
• Supervisor/managerial experience preferred.
• Strong Customer Service skills.
• Leadership skills (Communication, relationship building, strategic thinking, adaptability, integrity).
• Computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for building engineering operations, ensuring safe, reliable operation of facility infrastructure.
• Serve as the site's senior engineering resource for troubleshooting HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and building system issues.
• Review, validate, and provide guidance on preventive maintenance activities, corrective maintenance work orders, repair strategies, shutdown plans, start-up procedures, and system recovery efforts.
• Conduct hands-on maintenance, repairs, and installations on HVAC, refrigeration, and building systems, especially for complex equipment.
• Review engineering work quality and ensure activities align with site procedures, manufacturer recommendations, safety requirements, and best practices.
• Train, mentor, and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen technical capability and teamwork.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, work instructions, SOPs, and troubleshooting guides for knowledge transfer.
• Coordinate daily technical priorities with Hard Services Manager, engineers, contractors, vendors, and project teams.
• Support planning and execution of facility projects, equipment replacements, commissioning activities, and operational improvements.
• Identify reliability concerns, recurring failures, and risks; implement corrective actions to improve performance and uptime.
• Provide technical support during facility emergencies, critical failures, investigations, and business continuity events.
• Manage and oversee refrigeration systems and programs, including maintenance, troubleshooting, compliance, and optimization.
• Assist with contractor oversight, vendor coordination, and project management to ensure safe, effective work per standards.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with safety policies, procedures, regulations, and maintenance standards.

Skills

HVAC knowledge

Electrical knowledge

Plumbing knowledge

Controls & utilities

Maintenance leadership

Customer service

Leadership

Computer skills

Education

High school diploma

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.

About JLL-

We're JLL-a leading professional services and investment management firm specializing in real estate. We shape the future of real estate for a better world by using the most advanced technology to create rewarding opportunities, amazing spaces and sustainable real estate solutions for our clients, our people and our communities. As a Fortune 500 company, we help real estate owners, occupiers and investors achieve their business ambitions. We have operations in over 80 countries and a global workforce of over 92,000 individuals.

We believe a diverse and inclusive culture is one where everyone succeeds. That's why we're committed to creating an environment where we all feel welcomed, valued and empowered to achieve our full potential.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as a "perfect" candidate. JLL is a place where everyone can grow no matter how they identify or what background they bring with them. If you're a leader of any level or experience and this job description resonates with you, let's talk.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for all building engineering operations, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operation of facility infrastructure.
• Serve as the site's senior engineering resource for troubleshooting and resolving complex HVAC, refrigeration, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, controls, and building system issues.
• Review, validate, and provide guidance on preventive maintenance activities, corrective maintenance work orders, repair strategies, shutdown plans, start-up procedures, and system recovery efforts.
• Conduct hands-on maintenance, repairs, and installations on HVAC, refrigeration, and building systems as required, particularly for complex or critical equipment.
• Review engineering work quality and ensure maintenance activities are executed in accordance with site procedures, manufacturer recommendations, safety requirements, and industry best practices.
• Train, mentor, and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen technical capability, improve troubleshooting skills, and enhance overall team effectiveness.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, work instructions, standard operating procedures, and troubleshooting guides to support knowledge transfer and operational consistency.
• Coordinate daily technical priorities with the Hard Services Manager, engineering staff, contractors, vendors, and project teams to ensure efficient execution of maintenance and projects.
• Support planning and execution of facility projects, equipment replacements, commissioning activities, and operational improvements.
• Identify equipment reliability concerns, recurring failures, and operational risks; develop and implement corrective actions to improve system performance and uptime.
• Provide technical support during facility emergencies, critical equipment failures, investigations, and business continuity events.
• Manage and oversee refrigeration systems and programs, including maintenance, troubleshooting, compliance, and optimization activities.
• Assist with contractor oversight, vendor coordination, and project management activities to ensure work is completed safely, effectively, and in accordance with site standards.
• Promote and enforce a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with all applicable safety policies, procedures, regulations, and maintenance standards.

Education/training

High school diploma or equivalent.

Years of relevant experience

7+ years of experience operating and maintaining commercial, industrial, or life sciences facility systems.

Skills and knowledge

• Broad knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, controls, utilities, and safe maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work, troubleshoot complex systems, and communicate across teams.
• Supervisor/managerial experience preferred.
• Strong Customer Service skills.
• Leadership skills (Communication, relationship building, strategic thinking, adaptability, integrity).
• Computer skills.

Certifications/Licenses

Relevant trade license, technical degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience; life sciences or GMP experience preferred.

Physical work requirements and work conditions

• Lifting to 80 lbs.
• Working from heights.
• Frequently climbing, bending, lifting, kneeling, stooping, and working/extending overhead.
• Working in adverse conditions