Chief Engineer

JLL•Chicago, IL

17h•Onsite

About The Position

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. Chief Engineer – JLL What this job involves: Drive operational excellence as Chief Engineer for a world-class facility, leading a dedicated engineering team to ensure 100% uptime and optimal performance of critical building systems.This site-based leadership role combines technical expertise with strategic facility management, where you'll protect and enhance client assets while implementing reliability-based maintenance practices. You'll be the cornerstone of facility operations, ensuring every system—from HVAC to life safety—operates at peak efficiency while maintaining the highest safety standards.This position offers the opportunity to make a direct impact on JLL's reputation for operational excellence while developing your team and advancing cutting-edge facility management practices.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Facilities Management, or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 7-10 years of progressive facilities management experience with at least 3-5 years in supervisory/leadership roles.
Comprehensive knowledge of commercial building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, and building automation systems.
Valid stationary engineer license or equivalent professional certifications required by local jurisdiction.
Demonstrated experience with reliability-centered maintenance practices and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Strong leadership and team management skills with proven ability to develop and motivate technical staff.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local building codes, safety regulations, and environmental compliance requirements.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent advanced technical certification.
Experience with critical facility operations such as data centers, laboratories, or mission-critical environments.
Project management certification (PMP) or equivalent project management experience.
Previous experience in commercial real estate or property management industry.
Knowledge of energy management systems and sustainability initiatives.
Experience with vendor management and contract administration.
Familiarity with budgeting and capital planning processes.

Responsibilities

Lead and supervise engineering teams and maintenance staff, providing training, development opportunities, and performance management to ensure operational excellence.
Oversee comprehensive building systems including fire/life safety, HVAC, electrical infrastructure, digital systems, and critical environments through direct staff management and vendor coordination.
Develop and execute documented maintenance strategies incorporating preventive, corrective, and reliability-centered maintenance procedures aligned with facility objectives.
Conduct facility assessments to identify safety hazards, ensure regulatory compliance, and maintain up-to-date infrastructure documentation including building drawings and compliance records.
Manage contractor activities and major projects from planning through execution, ensuring adherence to industry standards and Critical Facility Work Authorization (CFWA) processes.
Interface directly with clients and stakeholders, providing technical support and updates while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Maintain detailed engineering logs, building rounds documentation, and performance metrics to support data-driven operational decisions.