Chief Operating Engineer Jobs

Chief Operating Engineer jobs are open across utilities, commercial real estate, manufacturing, and healthcare facilities, at every level from early-career plant engineer to director of engineering operations, with specializations in HVAC systems, electrical infrastructure, and building automation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles230+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerAbco Maintenance
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type46% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 230+ Chief Operating Engineer jobs

Chief Operating Officer, RPA
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New 18h ago
Chief Operating Officer, RPA
Gallagher
Rolling Meadows, Illinois
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project & Program Management
$173k - $338k/yr
10,000+

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Chief Operating Officer (Mental Health)
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Added 1d ago
Chief Operating Officer (Mental Health)
Trusted Results Therapy Group
North Charleston, South Carolina
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$130k - $165k/yr
Bachelor's degree in finance

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Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
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Added 1d ago
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer
Romano's Macaroni Grill
Remote
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
$91k - $111k/yr
Remote (US)
1,001-5,000

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Chief Operating Officer
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Added 2d ago
Chief Operating Officer
Pathway Talent Partners
Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Business Operations
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Project & Program Management
$170k - $200k/yr
Bachelor's degree in finance

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Chief Operating Officer
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Added 2d ago
Chief Operating Officer
BookMyGroup, LLC
Remote
Account Management
Business Development
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
11-50

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Chief Operating Engineer Jobs by Experience Level

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Chief Operating Engineer Job Market

Who's Hiring

Abco Maintenance9 open roles
World Business Lenders6 open roles
Medstaff3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Insurance
  • Medical Devices
  • Fashion & Apparel

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in chief operating engineer jobs.

  • Five or more years of experience operating and maintaining large commercial or industrial building systems
  • Active stationary engineer or chief engineer license issued by the relevant state authority
  • Demonstrated expertise with HVAC, chiller plants, boilers, and high-voltage electrical distribution systems
  • Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems such as Maximo, Archibus, or similar platforms
  • Experience supervising, scheduling, and training a team of building engineers or maintenance technicians
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or facilities engineering, or equivalent technical training

Tips for Your Chief Operating Engineer Job Search

Tailor your resume to facility type

Chief operating engineer roles in a commercial high-rise demand different system knowledge than those in a hospital or industrial plant. Rewrite your resume's skills and project sections to mirror the specific building type or infrastructure environment listed in each posting.

List your licenses front and center

Stationary engineer licenses, boiler operator certifications, and state-specific Class A or Class B tickets are often the first filter recruiters apply. Put your license number, issuing state, and expiration date in a dedicated credentials block near the top of your resume.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists chief operating engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target postings by chief engineer code

Many facility management postings use O*NET occupation codes internally. Searching for 'chief engineer' alongside terms like 'BAS,' 'DDC controls,' or 'CMMS' in your queries surfaces more relevant openings than broad searches on engineer titles alone.

Prepare a system narrative for interviews

Interviewers for chief operating engineer roles routinely ask you to walk through a major equipment failure or capital project from start to finish. Practice a two-minute story that covers diagnosis, coordination with contractors, budget impact, and final resolution.

Negotiate shift differentials and on-call terms

Chief operating engineer offers often include on-call obligations and rotating shifts that significantly affect total compensation. During negotiation, clarify the on-call frequency, response-time expectations, and whether standby pay applies before you accept.

Chief Operating Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most chief operating engineers?

The companies hiring the most chief operating engineers right now include Abco Maintenance, World Business Lenders, and Medstaff, with the largest share of openings in California, Florida, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Healthcare systems, commercial real estate portfolios, and large manufacturing operations consistently account for a significant portion of active postings.

How many chief operating engineer jobs are remote?

About 54% of chief operating engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in this field. Sub-areas with the highest remote share tend to be energy consulting, facilities program management, and roles focused on building automation system oversight rather than day-to-day mechanical operations.

How do you become a chief operating engineer?

Start by earning an associate or bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, or complete an accredited trade apprenticeship in building systems. Accumulate hands-on experience operating boilers, chillers, and electrical distribution equipment, then obtain your state stationary engineer or chief engineer license. Supervisory experience managing a small engineering team is typically required before you qualify for chief-level roles.

Can you get hired as a chief operating engineer with limited experience?

Entry into chief operating engineer roles with limited experience is possible by starting as a building engineer or assistant stationary engineer and working toward your state license. Focus on facilities with active apprenticeship programs, such as large hospitals or university campuses. Demonstrating competency with specific systems, such as BAS controls or high-pressure boiler operation, helps you advance faster than generalist experience alone.

What does the chief operating engineer interview process look like?

Most employers begin with a phone screen to verify your license status and years of relevant experience. A technical interview follows, often involving scenario questions about equipment failures, preventive maintenance scheduling, and regulatory compliance. Larger employers add a site walkthrough where you assess existing systems and discuss how you would manage the facility, followed by a panel interview with facilities directors or property management leadership.

Where can I find and apply to chief operating engineer jobs?

You can find and apply to chief operating engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your license, system expertise, and preferred facility type, then apply directly to each opening that fits.

See All 230+ Chief Operating Engineer Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Chief Operating Engineer Jobs