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Building Operating Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

JLL

Operating Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$72.93/hr

The Operating Engineer supports operation,inspectionand maintenance processes to mechanical,HVAC ... Troubleshoot all building systems, including electrical, DDCand pneumatic controls * Comply withall ...

JLL

Operating Engineer

San Diego, CA

$38.52/hr

The Operating Engineer supports operation,inspectionand maintenance processes to mechanical,HVAC ... Troubleshoot all building systems, including electrical, DDCand pneumatic controls * Comply withall ...

Cushman & Wakefield

Lead Operating Engineer

San Jose, CA

$120K - $158K/yr

Job Title Lead Operating Engineer Summary Responsible to ensure the proper efficient operations and ... Typically, this position does not have a Chief Engineer on-site at the building and is sometimes ...

JLL

Operating Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$72.93/hr

The Operating Engineer supports operation,inspectionand maintenance processes to mechanical,HVAC ... Troubleshoot all building systems, including electrical, DDCand pneumatic controls * Comply withall ...

CBRE

Building Engineer (Nvidia)

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$60/hr

Keep facility and building systems up to applicable standards as assigned. * Align with all ... The minimum salary for the Union Operating Engineer position is $55 per hour and the maximum salary ...

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Building Operating Engineer information

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How much do building operating engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for building operating engineer in California is $31.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.14 and $36.06 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Building Operating Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Building Operating Engineer, you need strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, often supported by a technical diploma or engineering certifications. Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS), computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), and relevant licensing (such as a Stationary Engineer license) is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help you respond quickly to issues and work with tenants or vendors. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable building operations.

What are Building Operating Engineers?

Building Operating Engineers are skilled professionals responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of a building's mechanical, electrical, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems. They ensure that all building systems function efficiently and safely, addressing issues as they arise and performing routine inspections. These engineers play a critical role in maintaining comfort, energy efficiency, and safety in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities. Their work often involves troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and coordination with contractors or other building services staff.

What is the difference between Building Operating Engineer vs Maintenance Technician?

AspectBuilding Operating EngineerMaintenance Technician
CertificationsStationary Engineer license, HVAC certificationsHVAC, electrical, plumbing certifications
Work EnvironmentCommercial buildings, industrial facilitiesVarious settings including residential, commercial, industrial
Job FocusOperating and maintaining building systemsPerforming repairs and routine maintenance
Employer & Industry UsageProperty management, facilities managementFacilities, maintenance companies, industrial plants

Building Operating Engineers primarily focus on operating and maintaining complex building systems like HVAC, boilers, and electrical systems, often requiring specialized licenses. Maintenance Technicians handle repairs and routine maintenance across various systems. While both roles ensure building functionality, Building Operating Engineers typically work in larger facilities with more technical systems, whereas Maintenance Technicians have a broader, more general maintenance scope.

What are some common challenges Building Operating Engineers face in maintaining large commercial facilities?

Building Operating Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex HVAC systems, responding to unexpected equipment failures, and balancing preventive maintenance with urgent repair requests. They must also stay updated on building codes and environmental regulations, ensuring compliance while keeping systems running efficiently. Collaboration with other maintenance staff, vendors, and property management is essential, especially during large-scale repairs or upgrades.
What are popular job titles related to Building Operating Engineer jobs in California? For Building Operating Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Building Operating Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Building Operating Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Building Operating Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Building Operating Engineer job openings:
Building Operating Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Building Operating Engineer job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,404 per year, or $31.9 per hour.
Operating Engineer

Operating Engineer

JLL

Oakland, CA • On-site

$72.93/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago

JLL rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 266 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 153 rated real estate companies

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 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.

What this job involves:

Developyour engineering careerat JLL!

The Operating Engineer supports operation,inspectionand maintenance processes to mechanical,HVAC,electrical and plumbingequipmentand systems.

This position requires theOperating Engineerto be on-site.

Estimated total compensation for this position:

$72.93 per hour

The total compensation range is an estimate and not guaranteed. An employment offer is based on an applicant's education, experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, internal equity and alignment with market data .

Schedule:7am-4pm Monday through Friday

What your day-to-day will look like:

  • Complete assigned tasks that include but are not limitedto:painting, pressurewashing,maintaininglighting system bulbs/ballasts,plumbing,HVACsystems,water treatment,locksmithworkand general maintenance(as allowed by any licensing requirements)

  • Maintainwork order system(CMMS)daily and complete any tenant service requests

  • Perform assigned preventive maintenanceand inspection tasks

  • Support on-call or emergency response situations (if applicable)

  • Troubleshoot all building systems, including electrical, DDCand pneumatic controls

  • Comply withall safety procedures

  • Participate in ongoing technical, safety, and operational process training programs

  • Other projects and tasks to beassigned

Required Qualifications:

  • 3+ years of related work experience, especially inrepair, maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, electrical or carpentry

  • Trade schooleducation, union training, militaryserviceor college isdesirable

  • Universal CFC EPA certificationor interest in achieving within first year (with JLLassistance)

  • Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams)

  • Ability tolift upto 50lbs

  • Comfort using ladders up to 30 feet tall

  • Ability tofrequentlyclimb, bend, kneel, lift and/or drive

  • Strong customer service skills

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

Location:

On-site -Oakland, CA, San Francisco, CA

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.

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 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.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

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