1

Lead Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Plant Engineer

Madera, CA

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

The Lead Plant Engineer provides technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Plant Engineering and Utility Engineer teams in support of hospital operations, offsite facilities, and ...

Plant Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

The Lead Plant Engineer provides technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Plant Engineering and Utility Engineer teams in support of hospital operations, off-site facilities, and ...

Plant Engineer Job Location: West Chicago, IL Job Type: Full-Time * Ensure the safety of all ... Lead plant compliance of all federal, state and local environmental and safety regulations.

Lead plant engineering design initiatives and oversee capital projects from conception through execution. * Compliance Leadership: Ensure strict adherence to environmental regulations and NERC ...

Lead plant engineering design initiatives and oversee capital projects from conception through execution. * Compliance Leadership: Ensure strict adherence to environmental regulations and NERC ...

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

Plant Engineer 1st shift/Day Shift/Excellent Benefits! As the Plant Engineer, you'll take charge of ... Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with ...

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

Plant Engineer 1st shift/Day Shift/Excellent Benefits! As the Plant Engineer, you'll take charge of ... Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with ...

Plant Engineer

Lathrop, CA · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Plant Engineer Reports To : Production Manager Salary Range : $135,000 - $145,000 Why join our team ... Lead reliability and improvement initiatives for utility systems including boilers, HVAC, ...

Plant Engineer 1st shift/Day Shift/Excellent Benefits! As the Plant Engineer, you'll take charge of ... Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with ...

Plant Engineer

Linden, NJ

$150K - $190K/hr

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

Plant Engineer

Lathrop, CA · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Plant Engineer Reports To : Production Manager Salary Range : $135,000 - $145,000 Why join our team ... Lead reliability and improvement initiatives for utility systems including boilers, HVAC, ...

Be Seen First

Plant Engineer

Danville, VA · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

AmeriStaff Employment & Staffing Solutions is currently seeking a Plant Engineer for a leading ... Lead assigned portions of Daily 48-Hour and Weekly Operations Team meetings * Act as Subject Matter ...

Be Seen First

Plant Engineer

Danville, VA · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

AmeriStaff Employment & Staffing Solutions is currently seeking a Plant Engineer for a leading ... Lead assigned portions of Daily 48-Hour and Weekly Operations Team meetings * Act as Subject Matter ...

Full benefits package Relocation Assistance available About the Role Lead plant engineering and reliability efforts to improve uptime, reduce downtime, and drive continuous improvement across ...

Key Responsibilities: - Develop, implement, and manage engineering and maintenance strategies to maximize operational efficiency and reliability of plant equipment. - Lead troubleshooting and problem ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Lead Plant Engineer information

See salary details

$47K

$106.9K

$166K

How much do lead plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead plant engineer in the United States is $106,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Lead Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, process optimization, and a relevant engineering degree, often paired with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Mastery of CAD software, plant management systems, and familiarity with industry standards like OSHA or ISO certifications are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you manage teams and coordinate complex projects. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of plant facilities while driving continuous improvement.

What are some common challenges Lead Plant Engineers face when managing cross-functional projects?

Lead Plant Engineers often encounter challenges coordinating between different departments, such as maintenance, operations, and safety teams, especially when priorities conflict or resources are limited. Effective communication and strong project management skills are crucial for aligning team objectives, managing timelines, and ensuring that all regulatory and safety standards are met. Additionally, adapting to evolving technology and process improvements can require continuous learning and flexibility. Building strong relationships with both internal teams and external vendors is key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful project outcomes.

What does a Lead Plant Engineer do?

A Lead Plant Engineer is responsible for overseeing the design, operation, and maintenance of engineering systems within a manufacturing or industrial plant. They lead teams of engineers and technicians, manage projects to improve plant efficiency, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Additionally, they troubleshoot equipment issues, implement process improvements, and coordinate with other departments to support production goals. Their role is critical in optimizing plant performance and minimizing downtime.

What is the difference between Lead Plant Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectLead Plant EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often with PE licenseBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentPlant operations, overseeing engineering projectsDesign, optimization, and process development in manufacturing or chemical plants
Industry UsageHeavy industry, manufacturing, chemical plantsManufacturing, chemical, oil & gas industries

The Lead Plant Engineer typically oversees plant operations and manages engineering projects on-site, requiring leadership and operational expertise. In contrast, the Process Engineer focuses on designing and optimizing processes within the plant, often working in a more analytical and development role. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to plant efficiency, but their focus and responsibilities differ.

More about Lead Plant Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Lead Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 4% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $106,886 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Valley Children's Hospital rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

60th of 991 rated hospitals


Job description

About Us:

The Plant Services Department hastwoteams thatmaintainall buildings on our500-acrecampus as well as our multiple regional locations throughout the state. We have our maintenance team that services,maintainsand repairs building equipment, interior walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, restroom fixtures, televisions and DVD/VCR, locks & keys, doors and hardware, lighting, minor plumbing, fleet vehicles, medical gas cylinders. We also have an engineering team that services,maintains,and repairs the hospital's emergency power generation equipment, electrical distribution system, domestic water system, sewer lines and lift station, storm water, steam system, HVAC, lighting, pneumatic tube system.The department also ensures the reliability of the facilities'Life Safety components.Thesecomponents include our fire alarmsystem,fire sprinkler systems, egressilluminationand smoke stop compartment systems, performing firedrillsand are first responders for the campus. In addition to theseduties, the plant engineering team alsomaintainsand services: kitchen equipment, surgical tables, refrigerators, freezers, ice machines, parking lot & exterior lighting.

Job Summary:

The Lead Plant Engineer provides technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Plant Engineering and Utility Engineer teams in support of hospital operations, offsite facilities, and central plant systems. This position serves as a working lead-performing skilled maintenance duties while also supporting workload distribution, training, quality control, and daily operational oversight. The role is intended to alleviate workload on the Manager of Plant Services and strengthen frontline supervision, ensuring efficient completion of preventive maintenance, rapid response to equipment issues, and improved continuity of operations across hospital and offsite locations.

Qualifications:


Education

  • High School Diploma (required) And
  • Equivalent Related experience (required)
  • Associates Degree In related discipline (preferred) Or
  • Program Trade schooling (preferred)


Work Experience

  • Refrigeration and air conditioning
    Fire monitoring and lifesafety systems
    Electrical systems and motor controls
    Boiler and steam systems
    Direct Digital Controls (DDC) and pneumatic control systems
    (required)


Skills and Abilities

  • Provide daily leadership, direction, and technical guidance to Plant Engineers and Utility Engineer staff. Lead, schedule, and prioritize work assignments to ensure efficient operations and compliance with organizational standards. Mentor, train, and develop team members to enhance skills, performance, and readiness for increased responsibility.
    Oversee maintenance workflows, ensuring timely completion of preventive and corrective work orders. Collaborate with management and other departments to support operational needs, project planning, and resource allocation. Ensure adherence to safety policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices across all maintenance activities. Participate in hiring, performance evaluations, and continuous improvement initiatives within the department.


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation Range:

$35.85 - $53.35

Workshift:

Varied (United States of America)

Position Exempt:

No

FTE %:

100

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Daily Hours:

8

Have Questions?

Call Recruitment Services at 559-353-7071 or email us at recruiting@valleychildrens.org
Disclaimer: Final compensation will be dependent upon skills and experience.