Chief Engineer

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.

Chief Engineer - JLL

What this job involves:

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of all building infrastructure, critical utilities, laboratory support systems, and facility operations within a life sciences campus. This role serves as the senior technical authority for engineering operations and provides leadership to engineering, maintenance, and facilities personnel while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, company policies, and client expectations.

The Chief Engineer partners closely with scientific staff, business stakeholders, Facilities Management, EHS, Quality, contractors, and vendors to support laboratory operations, maintain business continuity, and drive operational excellence.

A hospitality mindset is fundamental to delivering exceptional workplace experiences for our client. We seek candidates who excel in collaborative environments, communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, maintain high standards of accuracy, and adapt quickly to resolve challenges.

What your day-to-day will look like:

Leadership & Team Management

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and technical guidance to the Facilities teams and engineering personnel.

• Establish goals, objectives, and performance expectations for direct reports and conduct regular performance evaluations.

• Develop workforce planning, succession planning, technical training, and professional development programs for engineering staff.

• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, reliability, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure effective communication between JLL Facilities Management, client stakeholders, scientific staff, Lab Operations, vendors, contractors, and partner service providers.

Facility Operations & Engineering Oversight

• Serve as the senior technical authority for all facility infrastructure systems including:

  • HVAC systems

  • Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS)

  • Chillers and cooling towers

  • Boilers and steam systems

  • Pumps and hydronic systems

  • Electrical distribution systems

  • Emergency generators

  • UPS systems

  • Compressed air systems

  • Laboratory support infrastructure

  • Plumbing and life safety systems

• Ensure facilities and critical infrastructure are operated and maintained safely, efficiently, and in accordance with approved budgets and operational plans.

• Maintain operational readiness of laboratory environments and supporting infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted scientific and research activities.

• Lead troubleshooting and root-cause analysis of complex mechanical, electrical, and control system issues.

• Develop and implement reliability-centered maintenance strategies to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and extend asset life.

• Monitor system performance and maintenance metrics to drive continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintenance & CMMS Management

• Oversee the Facilities Work Order and CMMS platform (Maximo experience preferred), ensuring work is prioritized, assigned, completed, and documented appropriately.

• Ensure preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, and corrective maintenance programs are effectively executed.

• Review maintenance performance indicators, backlog reports, compliance metrics, and equipment reliability trends.

• Maintain complete and accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, and asset documentation.

SOP, Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Emergency Operating Procedures (EOPs), and engineering standards.

• Conduct annual reviews and updates of all engineering procedures and documentation.

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations including:

• Cal-OSHA

• Cal-EPA

• BAAQMD

• County Health Departments

• Fire and Life Safety Codes

• Environmental regulations

• Applicable client standards

• Partner with EHS, Quality, and Facilities leadership to support inspections, audits, and regulatory reviews.

• Lead emergency response, business continuity planning, and incident investigations for facility-related events.

Capital Projects & Infrastructure Planning

• Support facility improvement projects, equipment installations, lab renovations, office buildouts, and infrastructure upgrades.

• Provide technical review and oversight for engineering designs, construction activities, commissioning efforts, and contractor work.

• Collaborate with project teams for scopes, budgets, schedules, and technical specifications.

• Coordinate bi-annual maintenance shutdowns and major infrastructure outages while minimizing operational impact.

• Support long-range (GLAM) capital planning and asset replacement strategies.

Facility Inspections & Asset Management

• Conduct routine facility inspections and document findings using approved reporting tools.

• Ensure all technical spaces, utility rooms, mechanical rooms, and support areas maintain first-class housekeeping standards.

• Assess facility conditions and recommend repairs, maintenance activities, and capital improvements.

• Develop business cases and technical justifications for facility investments and infrastructure upgrades.

Sustainability & Continuous Improvement

• Identify and implement initiatives that improve energy efficiency, sustainability, operational performance, and cost management.

• Support utility reduction programs and environmental sustainability objectives.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve reliability, customer satisfaction, and engineering performance.

Emergency Response

• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation and provide leadership during facility emergencies, equipment failures, and business continuity events.

• Respond effectively to critical incidents while coordinating internal teams, vendors, and emergency response personnel.

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED and equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Minimum 8-10 years of facilities engineering, operations, or maintenance experience.

• Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience managing engineering and maintenance personnel.

• EPA Universal Certification.

• Experience supporting life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, laboratory, healthcare, or other critical environments.

• Experience managing facility infrastructure projects and capital improvements.

• Experience utilizing CMMS platforms, preferably Maximo.

Technical Knowledge:

Strong working knowledge of:

• HVAC systems

• Chillers and cooling towers

• Boilers and steam systems

• Electrical distribution systems

• Emergency generators and UPS systems

• BAS/BMS controls

• Plumbing systems

• Fire and life safety systems

• Critical utility infrastructure

• Reliability-centered maintenance practices

• Root cause analysis methodologies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, Electrical Engineering, Facilities Management, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.

• Experience supporting laboratory facilities and scientific operations.

• Experience working in regulated environments.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

• Ability to work effectively in high-pressure environments.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Financial acumen including budget and capital planning experience.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Excel, and Visio.

• Experience with AutoCAD and facility drawings preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk facilities and construction projects for extended periods.

• Ability to climb ladders, access mechanical spaces, and inspect facility equipment.

• Ability to lift, move, push, or pull up to 35 pounds.

• Ability to respond physically and mentally to emergency situations.

Environmental Conditions:

• Exposure to varying noise levels, temperatures, and operational conditions may occur while performing job duties.

• Office environments

• Laboratory and research facilities

• Mechanical and electrical equipment rooms

• Construction and renovation areas

• Outdoor conditions

Location:

Onsite - South San Francisco.

Work Shift:

Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm + OT based on business needs + On call weekends and holidays.

Salary/ Comp:

$203,673.00 | $97.91 per hour

Union Role | Local 39

At JLL, we are collectively shaping a brighter way - for our clients, ourselves and our fellow employees. We choose to take the more inspiring, innovative, and optimistic path on our journey toward success. What sets JLL apart is our culture of collaboration, locally and across the globe, which allows us to create transformative solutions for the real estate industry. We support each other's wellbeing and champion inclusivity and belonging across teams.

JLL is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

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

Estimated compensation for this position:

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet all the requirements. We're interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table!

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'repursuing.

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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 HRSCLeaves@jll.com. This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL.

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Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

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Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.