Maintenance Manager

JLL; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL is seeking a Maintenance Manager for a life science campus in South San Francisco. You will lead a team of technicians and engineers, overseeing HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and lab support systems to ensure peak reliability of critical facilities.

You will coordinate with vendors and internal teams, manage budgets, and drive continuous improvement in safety, compliance, and energy efficiency to support world‑class scientific research.

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on facilities maintenance with at least 2 years in a leadership role overseeing hard services operations.
• Hands-on expertise with complex mechanical and electrical systems in mission‑critical environments such as life science facilities, hospitals, data centers, or pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of building automation systems (BAS), energy management, and preventive maintenance best practices.
• Experience leading, developing, and retaining high‑performing technical teams and managing budgets and vendor contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a team of maintenance technicians and engineers, fostering continuous learning and collaborative problem-solving.
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency generators, chillers, boilers, BAS, and critical lab support equipment.
• Manage vendor relationships and contractor performance to meet life science facility requirements and safety standards.
• Develop and monitor operational budgets, track KPIs, and implement cost-saving initiatives while maintaining reliability.
• Coordinate capital improvement projects from planning through execution as technical expert and client advocate.
• Conduct regular facility inspections and system assessments to identify optimization and energy-efficiency opportunities.
• Respond to emergencies and system failures with urgency and technical expertise to minimize impact on research operations.
• Maintain documentation using CMMS; ensure compliance reports and SOPs are up to date.
• Collaborate with Environmental Health & Safety teams to align activities with safety and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Facilities maintenance leadership

BAS knowledge

HVAC systems

Budget management

Vendor management

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

CMMS (SAP or similar)

Job description

Maintenance Manager – JLL

What this job involves:

As a Maintenance Manager on a cutting-edge life science campus, you'll be the driving force behind the seamless operation of critical mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems that keep advanced research and development facilities running at peak performance. This role puts you at the center of a dynamic, mission-critical environment where your technical expertise and leadership directly impact breakthrough scientific work. You'll oversee a team of skilled technicians and coordinate with specialized contractors to maintain complex HVAC systems, cleanroom environments, laboratory equipment, emergency power systems, and building automation controls. You'll serve as the primary technical liaison between our client, vendors, and internal teams, building trusted relationships while delivering innovative solutions that support world-class scientific research.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Lead and mentor a team of maintenance technicians and engineers, fostering a culture where everyone is empowered to thrive through continuous learning, skill development, and collaborative problem-solving
• Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for all hard services including HVAC, electrical distribution, emergency generators, chillers, boilers, building automation systems, and critical laboratory support equipment
• Manage vendor relationships and contractor performance, ensuring all work meets stringent life science facility requirements, safety standards, and regulatory compliance including FDA, ISO, and biosafety protocols
• Develop and monitor operational budgets, track key performance indicators, and implement cost‑saving initiatives while maintaining the highest standards of system reliability and uptime
• Coordinate capital improvement projects from planning through execution, serving as the technical expert and client advocate to ensure seamless integration with ongoing operations
• Conduct regular facility inspections and system assessments, identifying opportunities for performance optimization, energy‑efficiency improvements, and proactive equipment replacements
• Respond to emergency situations and system failures with urgency and technical expertise, implementing solutions that minimize impact to critical research operations
• Maintain comprehensive documentation including maintenance records, equipment inventories, standard operating procedures, and compliance reports using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Collaborate with Environmental Health &; Safety teams to ensure all maintenance activities align with laboratory safety protocols, chemical handling requirements and environmental regulations

Required qualifications:

• 5+ years of hands on facilities maintenance experience with at least 2 years in a leadership role overseeing hard services operations
• Demonstrated hands on expertise with complex mechanical and electrical systems in mission‑critical environments such as life science facilities, hospitals, data centers, or pharmaceutical manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of building automation systems (BAS), energy management, and preventive maintenance best practices
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and retain high‑performing technical teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
• Experience managing operational budgets, capital projects, and vendor contracts with strong financial acumen

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) such as SAP or similar platforms
• Understanding of FDA regulations, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Location: South San Francisco, CA