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Operating Engineers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Operating Engineer

Chico, CA · On-site

$64K - $93K/yr

Operating Engineers work shifts, day, swing, and/or graveyard, including weekends, providing continuous twenty-four-hour coverage, seven days per week. This position is Night Shift, Saturday through ...

Operating Engineers work shifts, day, swing, and/or graveyard, including weekends, providing continuous twenty-four-hour coverage, seven days per week. This position is Night Shift, Saturday through ...

Operating Engineers work shifts, day, swing, and/or graveyard, including weekends, providing continuous twenty-four-hour coverage, seven days per week. This position is Night Shift, Saturday through ...

Operating Engineers use different types of heavy equipment at construction sites. F.H. Paschen is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color ...

Operating Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$70K - $94K/yr

This position is covered by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 835 . Candidates must be a member in good standing or eligible to join. Preferred Qualifications:. * Hands-on ...

MalaceHR is seeking Operating Engineers for a Data Center in Topeka, KS. Data Center Operating Engineer Work Schedule : Friday Through Tuesday 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm with overtime and other assigned ...

Operator

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.75 - $23.75/hr

Operating Engineer embodies the company culture, SQE, and delivers results accordingly. Operating Engineers must be able to control and operate a variety of heavy equipment in a safe and efficient ...

Operating Engineer

Charlotte, NC

$67K - $91K/yr

Operating Engineers license (SMA) or equivalent * Certification as a Universal Technician for CFC's (or within 90 days of employment) * Ability to analyze the operation of various systems, determine ...

Operating Engineers may be exposed to hazards or physical risks, which require following basic safety precautions. Essential job functions include the ability to walk long distances both indoors and ...

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Operating Engineers information

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$85K

$135K

How much do operating engineers jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for operating engineers in the United States is $85,029.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does the Operating Engineer do?

An Operating Engineer is responsible for operating and maintaining heavy machinery and equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, and elevators on construction sites or in industrial settings. They ensure equipment functions safely and efficiently, often requiring technical skills and certifications like a state license or union membership. Their work involves troubleshooting, routine inspections, and adhering to safety protocols.

What types of equipment do Operating Engineers typically work with, and how does this variety impact their daily responsibilities?

Operating Engineers commonly work with heavy machinery such as bulldozers, cranes, excavators, loaders, and graders. The type and size of equipment can vary depending on the project, which means Operating Engineers must be adaptable and prepared to switch between machines as needed. This variety adds to the complexity of their daily tasks, requiring strong technical skills, attention to safety protocols, and the ability to troubleshoot equipment issues quickly. Collaboration with site supervisors, maintenance teams, and other construction workers is also a key part of their routine to ensure smooth operation and project progress.

What are Operating Engineers?

Operating Engineers are skilled professionals who operate and maintain heavy machinery and equipment used in construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects. Their responsibilities commonly include handling cranes, bulldozers, excavators, loaders, and other heavy equipment. Operating Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that these machines are used safely and efficiently on job sites. In addition to operating equipment, they may also be responsible for basic maintenance and troubleshooting to keep machinery in good working order.

What do operations engineers do?

Operations engineers are responsible for managing and maintaining industrial equipment, machinery, or systems to ensure efficient operation. They often troubleshoot issues, perform routine inspections, and may operate heavy machinery or control systems, requiring technical skills and safety certifications. Their work environment can include construction sites, manufacturing plants, or infrastructure facilities.

What is the difference between Operating Engineers vs Heavy Equipment Operators?

AspectOperating EngineersHeavy Equipment Operators
CredentialsCommercial driver’s license (CDL), certifications for specific machineryTypically require OSHA training, sometimes CDL
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, industrial plants, power plantsConstruction sites, mining, infrastructure projects
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, energy sectorsConstruction, mining, infrastructure

Operating Engineers and Heavy Equipment Operators often share similar roles, working with heavy machinery on construction and industrial sites. Operating Engineers usually have broader certifications and may operate a wider range of equipment, including complex machinery like cranes. Heavy Equipment Operators focus primarily on operating specific types of heavy machinery. Both roles are essential in construction and industrial projects, with overlapping skills but different certification requirements and scope of work.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Operating engineers typically do not earn $300,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in specialized fields like petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles may reach or exceed this level, especially in high-demand industries or with additional bonuses and stock options.

What engineers make $500,000?

Operating engineers typically do not earn $500,000 annually; such high salaries are more common in specialized fields like petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering. Senior engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles in high-demand industries may reach or exceed this level, often supplemented by bonuses and stock options.

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

To thrive as an Operating Engineer, you need a solid understanding of machinery operation, equipment maintenance, and safety protocols, usually supported by a high school diploma, apprenticeship, or relevant trade certification. Familiarity with heavy equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and computerized control systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are vital soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring efficient, safe, and precise operation of heavy machinery on construction sites or in industrial environments.
More about Operating Engineers jobs
What cities are hiring for Operating Engineers jobs? Cities with the most Operating Engineers job openings:
What states have the most Operating Engineers jobs? States with the most job openings for Operating Engineers jobs include:
Infographic showing various Operating Engineers job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 13% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,029 per year, or $40.9 per hour.
Operating Engineer

$64K - $93K/yr

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


California State University rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

222nd of 541 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Operating Engineer
Job no: 552019
Work type: Staff
Location: Chico
Categories: Unit 6 - Teamsters Local 2010, Probationary, Full Time, Trades
Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:
California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 23-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 15,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.
Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, veterans, and those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.
Job/Department Summary:
The Operating Engineer is primarily responsible for the operation and maintenance of stationary equipment, boilers (gas and/or oil), chiller systems and other mechanical equipment used to provide campus utilities. Working independently, under general supervision, the Operating Engineer performs day-to-day operations for the Boiler Chiller Plant, and assists with the operation of building equipment and automated energy management systems to control HVAC. Incumbent will monitor and adjust mechanical and computerized controls to ensure systems operate efficiently and safely, and maintain daily logs of operation including maintenance work, test results, instrument readings, details of equipment malfunctions and energy consumption for conservation analysis. Responsibilities include identifying malfunctions, testing water quality, and taking necessary corrective action. Incumbent will also perform miscellaneous field duties, including maintenance and repair of underground and auxiliary equipment. This position works under direct supervision of the Supervising Building Services Engineer and general supervision of the Manager of Engineering Trades/Chief Engineer. Operating Engineers work shifts, day, swing, and/or graveyard, including weekends, providing continuous twenty-four-hour coverage, seven days per week.
This position is Night Shift, Saturday through Wednesday, 10 pm to 6 am.
Required Education and Experience:
The abilities listed above would normally be acquired through the full-time equivalent of two years of hands-on experience in the operation, maintenance and repair of boiler and chiller systems, co-generation systems, and/or related mechanical equipment. Completion of a certificate or other vocational training in a related field, may be substituted for hands-on experience.
Preferences:
Preference may be given to applicants with the following as they may be considered specialized skills:
  • 2 years of HVAC service experience and/or 2 years of central plant operation experience.
  • 1 year of pipefitting experience.
  • 1 year of steam operations experience.
  • Boiler operations experience.
  • Chiller operations experience.
  • Understanding of building automation software.

Time Base: Full-time
Pay Plan: 12/12
Work Schedule: NIGHT-SHIFT, Sat-Wed 10:00pm-6:00am
CSU Classification Salary Range: $64,260 (Step 1) - $93,612 (Step 20) per year.
Benefits: This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible).
CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance). For more information please visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/benefits/Documents/employee-benefits-summary.pdf
Additional Information:
Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.
California State University, Chico, in accordance with CSU policy, requires that the successful candidate complete a background check (including a criminal records check, sexual offender registry check, and/or fingerprinting) prior to assuming this position. Failure to satisfactorily complete or pass the background check may impact the job offer or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for posted positions identified as sensitive. This position is considered a sensitive position based on CSU guidelines.
This position as set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July 21, 2017 is not designated as a required mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.
Throughout employment in this position incumbent must maintain a valid California Driver's License as well as continued completion and compliance of the CSU Defensive Driver's Training course.
The selected candidate must pass a post-offer pre-employment physical examination.
About Chico State:
Graduate and undergraduate programs boast high-quality research experiences, exceptional faculty mentoring, and civic and global engagement opportunities. The campus motto, "Today Decides Tomorrow," is brought to life by inclusive pedagogy, experiential learning, and co-curricular programming. The Chico Experience prepares students to be critical thinkers, engaged citizens, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources. Together, they will become leaders solving the challenges of the 21st century.
The campus is located in Northern California, 90 minutes from the state capital, Sacramento, and a three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area. Chico offers year-round natural beauty, outdoor leisure activities, and a thriving arts, music, and events scene. We acknowledge and are mindful that Chico State stands on lands that were originally occupied by the first people of this area, the Mechoopda, and we recognize their distinctive spiritual relationship with this land, the flora, the fauna, and the waters that run through campus. We are humbled that our campus resides upon sacred lands that since time immemorial have sustained the Mechoopda people and continue to do so today.
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status.
Chico State is not a sponsoring agency for staff and management positions (i.e. H-1B Visas).
CSU, Chico's Annual Security Report includes summaries of institutional policy relating to campus safety, drug and alcohol use, sexual assault, and other matters. The report is published in compliance with the Clery Act and includes three years of certain crime statistics that occurred in Clery Act defined geography. A paper copy of the report may be requested in person at CSU, Chico Police Department or by calling 530-898-5555. It is also available on the web at Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.
Open Until Filled (Review of Applications will begin 06/09/26. Applications received after that date may be considered.)
Advertised: May 26 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
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About California State University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

California State University, Fresno is one of 23 campuses in the California State University System. The University's mission is to boldly educate and empower students for success through our values of Discovery, Diversity and Distinction. The current student population is more than 25,000, including a large percentage of students with diverse and culturally rich backgrounds. The University serves the San Joaquin Valley while maintaining deep involvement with the state, nation, and across the globe.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Long Beach, CA, US