Chief Engineer – JLL

What this job involves:

As Chief Engineer, you will lead the operational management and strategic direction of our engineering team, serving as the primary technical advisor to facility management and client leadership. This critical role combines hands-on operational expertise with strategic leadership, overseeing the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all building systems and infrastructure. You'll be responsible for protecting and enhancing the value of client assets by implementing reliability-based maintenance programs, driving innovation through AI-powered predictive maintenance and building automation technologies, and fostering a culture of operational excellence and safety. Working at the intersection of engineering expertise, team leadership, and client partnership, you'll ensure 100% uptime while managing budgets, vendor relationships, and regulatory compliance. This position offers an exciting opportunity to shape the future of facility operations by leveraging emerging technologies and leading a high-performing team committed to delivering exceptional service and maximizing asset performance.

What your day-to-day will look like:

• Monitor and oversee operation of critical building systems including HVAC, refrigeration, boilers, electrical distribution, and mechanical equipment; leverage AI-powered predictive maintenance tools, IoT sensors, and building automation systems to anticipate equipment failures and optimize performance

• Lead and develop your engineering team through coaching, performance management, safety training, and professional development while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

• Manage vendor and contractor relationships, oversee service delivery and compliance with service level agreements, and ensure adherence to CFWA (Critical Facility Work Authorization) processes for work on critical infrastructure

• Oversee engineering department budget including labor, materials, and capital projects; analyze financial and operational metrics to identify cost-saving opportunities and drive operational efficiencies

• Champion safety culture by conducting safety audits, implementing training programs, ensuring OSHA compliance, and maintaining all regulatory documentation and building infrastructure records

• Serve as trusted technical advisor to clients and senior leadership, conducting regular business reviews, addressing concerns proactively, and delivering strategic recommendations for complex facility challenges

• Respond to critical facility emergencies and infrastructure issues during off-hours as needed to ensure business continuity and minimize operational disruptions

Required Qualifications:

• Associate Degree in engineering discipline or equivalent work experience, with 7+ years of facility-related work experience including at least 3-5 years in senior supervisory or leadership role managing engineering teams

• Comprehensive technical knowledge of HVAC systems, electrical distribution, mechanical systems, building automation systems (BAS), and energy management platforms, with proficiency in CMMS and Microsoft Office applications

• Certification as Universal Technician for CFCs (or obtainable within 90 days), Operating Engineers license (SMA) or equivalent, and valid electrical license or certification highly preferred

• Proven leadership capabilities with demonstrated ability to hire, train, mentor, and develop high-performing teams while managing multiple priorities and complex operational challenges

• Strong budget management expertise with track record of delivering results within financial constraints, combined with exceptional communication skills and customer service orientation

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, with Professional Engineer (PE) license or professional certifications such as CPE, CMM, CFM, or PMP

• Experience implementing AI-driven solutions, smart building technologies, IoT sensors, or advanced automation platforms for facility optimization and predictive maintenance

• Background in energy conservation initiatives, sustainability programs, green building certifications (LEED, Energy Star), and continuous improvement methodologies (lean, six sigma, RCM)

• Track record of successfully leading change management initiatives, operational transformation projects, or large-scale capital improvement programs

• Experience managing multi-site engineering operations or supporting geographically dispersed mission-critical facilities

Location: Hopkinsville, KY

Shift: 08 Hour Day - 1st Shift/Morning Shift