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Plant Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Valley Children's Healthcare

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 ...

Valley Children's Healthcare

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 ...

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

GRUMA

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

Mission Foods

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

$120K - $125K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

GRUMA

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA

$140K - $165K/hr

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

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All JobsPlant Engineer JobsPlant Engineer Jobs in California

Plant Engineer information

See California salary details

$41K

$98.6K

$141.1K

How much do plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant engineer in California is $98,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plant engineer?

A Plant Engineer is a professional responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, and improvement of manufacturing or industrial plants. They work to ensure that all plant systems, equipment, and processes run efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations. Plant Engineers often handle troubleshooting, project management, and the implementation of new technologies to increase productivity. Their role may also involve supervising maintenance staff and coordinating with other departments to optimize plant performance.

What is the difference between Plant Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectPlant EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, certifications like PE or EIT often preferredBachelor's in mechanical engineering, PE license optional
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, power plantsDesign firms, manufacturing, R&D labs, industrial settings
Industry UsageCommonly employed in manufacturing, energy, and processing industriesUsed across various sectors including automotive, aerospace, and energy

While both roles require engineering knowledge, Plant Engineers focus on maintaining and improving plant operations, whereas Mechanical Engineers often work on designing and developing mechanical systems. The roles overlap in credentials and industry settings, but their primary responsibilities differ.

What are some common challenges a plant engineer faces during equipment upgrades or maintenance shutdowns?

Plant Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple departments to minimize production downtime, managing tight project schedules, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations during equipment upgrades or maintenance shutdowns. Effective communication and planning are crucial, as these projects often require collaboration with outside contractors, vendors, and internal teams. Additionally, Plant Engineers must anticipate potential technical issues and ensure that all work is completed within budget and to specification.

What does a plant engineer do?

As a production plant engineer, you work in a manufacturing facility to ensure that daily operations run smoothly, with a focus on the equipment and machinery. Your responsibilities include designing new systems or equipment, directing plant personnel in proper methods and procedures of these systems and equipment, and executing or overseeing preventive maintenance and repair. Additional job duties may involve planning and supervising engineering projects, designing manufacturing equipment layouts, and checking for safety and environmental compliance. The main qualification for a career in plant engineering is a bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a sub-specialty of engineering, such as chemical, mechanical, nuclear, or electrical engineering. Professional certification, like the certified plant engineer (CPE) designation from the Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) prove your skills, and employers may prefer these qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, PLC systems, and compliance with industry standards or certifications like PE (Professional Engineer) is typically expected. Strong communication, project management, and teamwork skills help you excel in coordinating with maintenance teams and other departments. These skills ensure efficient plant operations, reduced downtime, and the successful implementation of engineering solutions.
More about Plant Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Plant Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Engineer jobs in California?

For Plant Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Plant Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Plant Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Engineer jobs in CA?

For Plant Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,565 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Plant Engineer

Valley Children's Healthcare

Madera, CA

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago

Valley Children's Hospital rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

752nd of 1,059 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.

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