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