Operating Engineer

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated; Wilmington (NC); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan with matching company-

Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision

Paid parental leave

Paid Time Off and Company Holidays

Early access to earned wages through 1

Job summary

Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated seeks an Operating Engineer with HVAC expertise to join our Wilmington, NC facilities team. You will operate and maintain commercial HVAC systems, monitor building performance, and drive energy efficiency initiatives on-site.

Key responsibilities include routine maintenance, issue troubleshooting, and coordinating with vendors while adhering to safety protocols. This role supports tenant comfort and aligns with JLL’s operational excellence goals.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience operating and maintaining commercial HVAC systems in large facilities
• Valid HVAC certification as required by local jurisdiction and EPA Section 608 Universal Certification
• Strong knowledge of HVAC principles, thermodynamics, and reading blueprints/schematics
• Proficiency with building automation systems and CMMS platforms
• Basic electrical troubleshooting and understanding of 3-phase 480V systems
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with facility management, tenants and contractors
• Physical ability to climb ladders, work in mechanical rooms and rooftops, and lift up to 50 pounds

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and maintain commercial HVAC systems including chillers, cooling towers, air handling units, rooftop units, exhaust fans, VFDs and related equipment
• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs to optimize performance and minimize downtime
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control system issues using technical knowledge and diagnostic tools
• Analyze system performance data to identify energy conservation opportunities and optimize energy usage
• Maintain logs of equipment operation, maintenance activities, and system performance in CMMS
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors for repairs or upgrades
• Follow safety protocols, lockout/tagout, and participate in emergency planning and building evacuations

Skills

HVAC operation

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Reading blueprints/schematics

Building automation systems

CMMS proficiency

Electrical troubleshooting

Safety protocols

Communication with tenants/management

Energy efficiency awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; HVAC technical training

CFC certification or additional refrigeration credentials

EPA Section 608 Universal Certification

Tools

CMMS software

Building automation platforms (Johnson Controls, Siemens, Tridium)

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.

Operating Engineer – JLL

We are seeking a skilled Operating Engineer with specialized expertise in HVAC systems to join our facilities operations team. In this critical role, you'll be responsible for operating, maintaining, and optimizing commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to ensure safe, efficient, and comfortable building environments. You'll serve as the technical expert for our HVAC infrastructure, leveraging your strong technical knowledge and proactive problem‑solving abilities to support JLL's commitment to operational excellence, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Your work will directly impact tenant satisfaction, building performance, and our environmental goals.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Operate, monitor, and maintain commercial HVAC systems including chillers, cooling towers, air handling units, rooftop units, exhaust fans, VFDs and related equipment through hands‑on oversight and building automation systems.
• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and emergency repairs to ensure optimal system performance and minimize downtime while maintaining temperature, humidity, and air quality within specified parameters.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control system issues using technical knowledge and diagnostic tools, responding promptly to service calls, equipment alarms, and tenant comfort complaints.
• Analyze system performance data to identify energy conservation opportunities, adjust equipment schedules and setpoints to optimize energy usage, and track utility consumption to support sustainability initiatives.
• Maintain accurate logs of equipment operation, maintenance activities, and system performance metrics in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and complete work orders in accordance with compliance requirements.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors for specialized repairs or system upgrades, ensuring work meets quality standards and building requirements.
• Follow established safety protocols, lockout/tagout procedures, and participate in emergency preparedness planning and building evacuation procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience operating and maintaining commercial HVAC systems in large‑scale facilities (100,000+ sq ft preferred) with demonstrated experience in central plant operations, air distribution systems, and building automation platforms.
• Valid HVAC certification as required by local jurisdiction and EPA Section 608 Universal Refrigerant Certification (required).
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC principles, thermodynamics, and psychrometrics with ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Proficiency with building automation systems (Johnson Controls, Siemens, Tridium, or similar platforms) and experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Basic electrical troubleshooting skills with understanding of control circuits and experience with 3-phase 480v systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with facility management, tenants, and contractors in a professional environment.
• Physical ability to climb ladders, work in mechanical rooms and rooftops, and lift up to 50 pounds; valid driver’s licence preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical school training or associate degree in HVAC, mechanical systems, or related field.
• CFC certification or additional refrigeration credentials beyond EPA Section 608 Universal certification.
• Experience with energy management systems, utility monitoring platforms, and demonstrated ability to implement energy conservation measures.
• Knowledge of LEED operations, green building practices, and sustainability initiatives in commercial real estate.
• Advanced proficiency with specific CMMS platforms and ability to generate performance reports and analytics.

Location & Working Conditions

Location: Wilmington, NC

Location: On‑site – Wilmington, NC

Work Shift: 1st shift

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

Benefits

• 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.

JLL Privacy Notice

Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement. For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here.

Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at [e-mail]. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page.

For over 200 years, JLL (NYSE: JLL), a leading global commercial real estate and investment management company, has helped clients buy, build, occupy, manage and invest in a variety of commercial, industrial, hotel, residential and retail properties. A Fortune 500® company with operations in over 80 countries around the world, our employees bring the power of a global platform combined with local expertise. Driven by our purpose to shape the future of real estate for a better world, we help our clients, people and communities SEE A BRIGHTER WAYSM. JLL is the brand name, and a registered trademark, of Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated. For further information, visit jll.com.