Central Plant Operating Engineer

Central Plant Operating Engineer
Location: Dallas, TX (Downtown)
Pay: $28-$35/hr (DOE)
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday | 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Onsite)

We are hiring a Central Plant Operating Engineer to support a large, Class A commercial high-rise in downtown Dallas.

This is a hands-on role focused on central plant operations, preventative maintenance, and real-time system troubleshooting. You'll be working with complex building systems and will need to be comfortable operating both as part of a team and independently during shift coverage.

What You'll Be Doing

• Operate and monitor central plant systems (chillers, pumps, cooling towers, chilled water systems)
• Adjust and optimize system performance through BAS
• Perform preventative maintenance and routine inspections
• Diagnose equipment issues through observation, sound, and system performance, and address or escalate as needed
• Identify equipment issues early based on performance, sound, and system behavior
• Support plant operations during the week and operate independently on weekends
• Respond to tenant requests while maintaining system reliability

Must-Have Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in central plant or large commercial building operations
• Hands-on experience with chillers and chilled water systems (required)
• Experience working in large-scale Class A buildings or comparable environments (1M+ sq. ft. preferred)
• Working knowledge of Building Automation Systems (BAS)
• Strong troubleshooting ability (must be able to diagnose and resolve issues)
• Must be comfortable working independently during portions of the shift

Nice to Have

• Experience with large-tonnage chiller systems or sequencing
• Thermal storage system exposure
• EPA Universal, OSHA 10/30, or similar certifications

This Role is a Good Fit If You

• Have real central plant experience-not just general maintenance
• Are comfortable working independently during parts of your shift
• Prefer hands-on work over desk-based roles
• Can identify and solve issues before they escalate
• Enjoy working in large, complex building environments

This Role May Not Be the Best Fit For

• Candidates without direct chiller or chilled water system experience
• Those coming from residential or small commercial environments
• Individuals who prefer highly structured or fully team-dependent roles

Work Environment

• Large, Class A commercial high-rise
• Active, hands-on engineering environment
• Mix of team collaboration and independent responsibility
• Fast-paced setting with critical systems supporting daily operations