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Operator Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lead Operating Engineer

San Diego, CA

$109K - $143K/yr

Job Title Lead Operating Engineer Summary *LAB OR HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED* Responsible to ensure the proper efficient operations and maintenance of the mechanical electrical and plumbing systems ...

Lead Operating Engineer

San Jose, CA

$120K - $158K/yr

Job Title Lead Operating Engineer Summary Responsible to ensure the proper efficient operations and maintenance of the mechanical electrical and plumbing systems for the assigned facility. The ...

PLC Operator

La Puente, CA · On-site

$18.50/hr

... engineering team members with routine inspections and preventative maintenance tasks to keep equipment in optimal working condition. • Communicate effectively with supervisors, other operators ...

This is an International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), Stationary Engineers, Local 39, position. What your day-to-day looks like: * Equipment Operations & Maintenance - Monitor and maintain ...

Under limited supervision, the Certified Engineer performs the following skilled and technical duties: installing, maintaining, replacing, repairing, operating, or assisting in operating all heating ...

Under limited supervision, the Certified Engineer performs the following skilled and technical duties: installing, maintaining, replacing, repairing, operating, or assisting in operating all heating ...

... operators, engineers, Capability Providers, and government teams to ensure every delivery ... strengthens mission readiness. This effort offers the chance to directly shape how the Air Force ...

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Operator Engineer information

See California salary details

$35.5K

$83.9K

$133.2K

How much do operator engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for operator engineer in California is $83,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,600.00 and $92,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and bonuses. High compensation often involves leadership roles, extensive expertise, and working in high-demand industries or companies.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Operator engineers in specialized industries such as oil and gas, construction, or power plants can earn around $2,000 per day, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and working in high-demand environments. These roles often require technical skills, safety training, and sometimes shift work or overtime to reach such high daily earnings.

What is an engineer operator?

An operator engineer is a professional responsible for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting industrial equipment, machinery, or systems, often in fields like manufacturing, energy, or construction. They typically require technical skills, knowledge of safety protocols, and may need certifications or licenses depending on the industry. Their role ensures efficient and safe operation of complex equipment in their work environment.

What is the difference between Operator Engineer vs Maintenance Technician?

AspectOperator EngineerMaintenance Technician
Required CredentialsRelevant certifications, technical training, sometimes an engineering degreeTechnical certifications, trade school diploma, or associate degree
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, power plantsFactories, industrial sites, equipment maintenance areas
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturing, energy, utilitiesManufacturing, facilities management, industrial sectors

Operator Engineers and Maintenance Technicians often work in similar industrial environments and require technical certifications. Operator Engineers focus on operating and controlling complex machinery, while Maintenance Technicians specialize in repairing and maintaining equipment. Both roles are essential for smooth plant operations and are frequently searched together by employers and job seekers in industrial sectors.

What are Operator Engineers?

Operator Engineers are professionals responsible for operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex machinery and systems in industries such as manufacturing, energy, and telecommunications. They ensure that equipment runs efficiently and safely, performing routine inspections and making adjustments as needed. Operator Engineers often work alongside other technical staff to diagnose issues and optimize system performance. Their role is critical in minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations within their facilities.

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

To thrive as an Operator Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, process operations, and safety protocols, often supported by a relevant engineering degree or technical certification. Familiarity with control systems, SCADA, DCS, and industrial automation software is typically required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in monitoring operations and coordinating with teams. These skills are crucial for ensuring efficient, safe, and reliable operation of industrial systems.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. High-paying engineering positions often require advanced degrees, certifications, and working in high-demand industries or managerial capacities.

What are some common challenges Operator Engineers face when working with automated systems, and how can they be addressed?

Operator Engineers often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting complex automated equipment, managing unexpected system failures, and ensuring consistent production quality. Addressing these issues typically involves staying updated with the latest technology, maintaining clear communication with maintenance and engineering teams, and following standardized operating procedures. Continuous training and hands-on experience are essential for quickly diagnosing problems and minimizing downtime, making adaptability and teamwork crucial skills in this role.
What cities in California are hiring for Operator Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Operator Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Operator Engineer jobs in CA? For Operator Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Operating Engineer Data Center - Union

Operating Engineer Data Center - Union

JLL

Irvine, CA

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday


JLL rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 266 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

36th of 154 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.


Job Description

Night Shift : 11:00 pm to 7:00 am

Union local 501

Overview

Jones Lang LaSalle is currently seeking a BOMA Certified Operating Engineer as part of the Facility Maintenance & Operations Team for a Data Center facility. The Operating Engineer's technical responsibilities include the operations & maintenance and repair of building systems Duties include all aspects of routine and emergency plant operations.

Roles and Responsibilities

Oversee the maintenance and continuous operation of all building systems including fire/life safety, mechanical (HVAC, plumbing, controls) electrical (lighting, UPS, PDU, generators, primary switchgear), cabling (data and voice, broad band), lighting and temperature controls systems, critical environments, light construction (painting, doors, relights, locks), digital systems (fire alarm, duress, card access, etc.).

Manage critical infrastructure systems including:

  • UPS systems oversight and testing protocols

  • Redundant cooling systems (CRAC/CRAH units, chilled water systems)

  • Environmental monitoring systems (temperature, humidity, leak detection, air quality)

  • Raised floor management and hot/cold aisle containment systems

  • Advanced fire suppression systems (FM-200, VESDA early warning detection)

  • Critical power distribution monitoring (PDU, busway, automatic transfer switches, etc)

  • Server room access control and security protocols

Utilize staff and contract with outside vendors as necessary.

Support Chief Engineer and maintenance staff including hiring, training and personal development

Identify the maintenance objectives of the facility and incorporate those objectives into a documented plan that includes preventive, predictive and reactive maintenance procedures with concurrent maintainability protocols to ensure no single point of failure during maintenance activities.

Identify safety hazards within the building and incorporate the remediation of such hazards to ensure that the building's staff and occupants work in a safe environment.

Implement, administer, and manage safety training program including data center specific safety protocols and lockout/tagout procedures for critical systems.

Ensure that compliance of all regulatory laws and guidelines are met as they relate to the operation of the building's infrastructure.

Responsible for alerting management of building discrepancies and maintaining incident response documentation with root cause analysis.

Assist in the development of a Capital plan which would include planning for infrastructure upgrades, equipment replacements and building modifications to ensure the building's future capabilities are maintained with focus on maintaining Data Center certification and requirement standards.

Responsible for ensuring that major projects performed at the building are properly planned, executed and closed out in accordance with standard industry practices including commissioning and startup procedures for critical systems.

Maintain all infrastructure and compliance documentation for the building including up-to-date building drawings and single lines as well as documentation mandated for the purpose of maintaining regulatory compliance with Federal, State or Local law. Maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all critical systems, energy management reports.

Responsible for overseeing the activities of contractors working within the building either as representatives of the building itself or tenants operating within the buildings ensuring all work maintains concurrent maintainability standards.

Responsible for keeping records of buildings rounds and readings, all engineering logs and engineering data sheets including critical system fault logs, environmental trending data, and uptime performance metrics.

Responsible for advance training and notification to all contractors so that they are informed and knowledgeable with respects to the building's functions and the work they are to perform, including an incident contact response list.

Ensure all critical equipment and events are a well-understood process among the building staff with emphasis on fault tolerance protocols and emergency response procedures for mission-critical operations.

During after hour's shifts, responds to all emergencies and takes appropriate action to identify problems and take corrective actions without compromising watch duties. Calls on duty mechanics for assistance and or utilizes emergency call list when necessary while maintaining 24/7/365 operations standards.

Skills/Qualifications

The minimum level of education for this position will be completion of high school.

Must maintain current BOMA Certified Operating Engineer certification with ongoing continuing education requirements

Minimum 3-5 years' experience in data center or mission-critical facility operations

Advanced knowledge of:

  • UPS systems, battery monitoring, and power quality analysis

  • Redundant cooling systems and environmental controls

  • Building automation systems (BAS) and critical monitoring systems

  • Fire suppression systems specific to data center environments

  • Electrical distribution systems including automatic transfer switches

Should have a working knowledge of building automation, system controls and fire alarm systems.

Proficient computer skills and experience working with Direct Digital Control systems is desirable with advanced SCADA and BMS system experience.

Must have general knowledge of industry maintenance and repair practices with specific expertise in Data Center environment

Ability to work independently and plan work without direct supervision while maintaining strict adherence to Data Center Operational Protocols

Must be available for 24/7/365 on-call rotation and emergency response

#LR

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

Estimated compensation for this position:

113,900.00 - 113,900.00 USD per year

This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations.

Location:

On-site -Irvine, 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.

Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment.

Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest.

Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

California Residents only

If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view ourSupplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information.If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.


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