Chief Engineer, Plumbing

JLL•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

As the Chief Engineer, Plumbing for a prominent healthcare client account, you will lead the critical plumbing operations, water safety management, and medical gas systems that keep our hospital environment safe, sterile, and operational. Your leadership will ensure the integrity of domestic water, waste, vacuum, and medical gas systems, directly supporting the clinical staff who deliver life-saving care.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of facility engineering experience specializing in plumbing systems, with at least 5 years of supervisory experience in a healthcare, hospital, or highly regulated environment.
Possession of a valid Master Plumber license or equivalent state/local mechanical qualification.
Comprehensive knowledge of commercial plumbing infrastructure, water purification systems (RO/DI), medical gas distribution, and vacuum systems.
Strong working knowledge of healthcare compliance standards, including NFPA 99, Joint Commission requirements, and EPA water safety regulations.
Proven ability to read, interpret, and troubleshoot architectural, mechanical, and plumbing schematics or construction drawings.
Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated capability to lead technical teams during complex shutdowns or emergency situations.

Nice To Haves

ASSE 6010 (Medical Gas Systems Installer) or ASSE 6020 (Medical Gas Systems Inspector) certification.
ASSE 12080 (Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist) certification.
Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Facilities Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
A desire to leverage cutting-edge leak detection and water conservation technologies is highly valued.
Experience managing large capital plumbing replacement projects, system design reviews, or hospital renovation commissioning.

Responsibilities

Direct the daily operations, maintenance, and emergency repair of all plumbing systems, including domestic water heaters, backflow preventers, sewage ejector pumps, medical vacuum, and medical gas systems.
Manage a dedicated team of plumbing technicians, ensuring we support each other's wellbeing and champion inclusivity and belonging across teams.
Oversee the hospital’s Water Management Plan to prevent pathogen colonization through rigorous testing, disinfection protocols, and compliance monitoring.
Focus on mentoring, training, and developing your staff to reach their full potential.
Coordinate with hospital infection control and clinical leaders to execute safe utility shutoffs, system modifications, and critical repairs with minimal disruption to patient care.
Track, audit, and maintain full compliance with all relevant plumbing codes, Joint Commission standards, NFPA 99, and local health department regulations.
Manage the plumbing department's operational budget, track water conservation metrics, and evaluate vendor performance on specialized maintenance contracts.
Leverage the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to schedule, dispatch, and document preventative maintenance activities and emergency work orders.