Operating Engineer Jobs

Operating Engineer jobs are open across construction, utilities, and heavy industry, from apprentice to journey-level and foreman, with specializations in heavy equipment operation, stationary plant systems, and tunnel and underground work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Operating Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open roles240+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerJLL
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type93% On-site
Top industryConstruction

Showing 5 of 240+ Operating Engineer jobs

Mobile Operating Engineer
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New 9h ago
Mobile Operating Engineer
Cushman & Wakefield
Baltimore, Maryland
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Mechanical Engineering
Skilled Trades
$31.11 - $36.6/hr
EPA Refrigeration Certification
10,000+

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Operating Engineer - Fairview Southdale Hospital
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New 13h ago
Operating Engineer - Fairview Southdale Hospital
Fairview Health Services
Edina, Minnesota
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
10,000+

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Critical Environment Operating Engineer
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New 17h ago
Critical Environment Operating Engineer
JLL
Eagan, Minnesota
Compliance & Risk
Cybersecurity Operations
Security & Protective Services
$67k - $97k/yr
On-Site
EPA 608 Technician Certification
10,000+

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Sr. Operating Engineer
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New 17h ago
Sr. Operating Engineer
JLL
Mebane, North Carolina
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
On-Site
CFC Universal Certification
10,000+

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Operating Engineer
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New 17h ago
Operating Engineer
JLL
Malvern, Pennsylvania
Administrative & Office Support
Business Operations
Project Management
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 240+ Operating Engineer Jobs

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Operating Engineer Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • JLL68
  • Cushman & Wakefield53
  • CBRE5
  • Schnabel5
  • Kaiser Permanente5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Construction & Real Estate13
  • Technology & Software3
  • Healthcare & Medical Services3
  • Education2
  • Media & Entertainment2

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in operating engineer jobs.

  • Journey-level operating engineer certification or IUOE apprenticeship completion
  • Hands-on experience operating cranes, excavators, bulldozers, or graders
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 construction safety certification
  • Valid CDL or ability to obtain one for equipment transport
  • Experience reading grade stakes, blueprints, or civil construction plans
  • Stationary engineer license (boiler, chiller, or HVAC plant) for facilities roles

Tips for Your Operating Engineer Job Search

List every piece of equipment you operate

Operating engineer job listings screen by specific equipment classes. Name every machine you're certified or experienced on, from excavators and cranes to boilers and chillers. Generic phrases like 'heavy equipment operator' get passed over when employers search by asset type.

Lead with your IUOE card status

Many construction and industrial employers default to union signatory contractors. State your IUOE local number and journey-level status at the top of your resume. If you're in an apprenticeship program, name the local and your year in the program.

Apply early to roles that fit

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

Tailor your resume to the project type

A resume built around road grading won't land you a stationary engineer role in a hospital plant. Reframe your experience around the work type in the posting: earthwork, tunnel boring, HVAC plant operation, or power generation. Hiring managers read for project fit first.

Prepare for practical skills assessments

Many employers require an equipment operation demonstration before making an offer. Know which machines are listed in the job posting and be ready to show proficiency on-site. Bring documentation of any safety certifications, pre-shift inspection logs, or apprenticeship sign-off sheets.

Negotiate based on shift and hazard premiums

Operating engineer compensation often includes night-shift differentials, confined-space premiums, and per-diem for out-of-town projects. When an offer comes, ask specifically about these line items rather than focusing only on the base rate.

Operating Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most operating engineers?

The companies hiring the most operating engineers right now include JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, and CBRE, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Infrastructure, utilities, and commercial construction projects are driving the highest demand.

How many operating engineer jobs are remote?

About 7% of operating engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles in this field. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements include stationary plant monitoring, project scheduling coordination, and equipment fleet management roles that have a significant administrative component.

How do you become an operating engineer?

Most operating engineers enter through a joint apprenticeship program run by the International Union of Operating Engineers, which combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction in equipment operation, safety, and maintenance. After completing the apprenticeship, you advance to journey-level status. Some employers also hire candidates who have completed heavy equipment operator programs at community or technical colleges and then build their hours on the job.

How do you get hired as an operating engineer with little experience?

Start by applying to union apprenticeship programs through your local IUOE, since these are specifically designed for entrants with no prior experience and pay you while you train. If you have operated any equipment in a non-construction context, such as forklifts in a warehouse or skid steers in landscaping, list that experience specifically. Entry-level laborer roles on construction sites can also put you in front of journey-level operators who can vouch for your work ethic when apprenticeship spots open.

What does the operating engineer interview process look like?

Most operating engineer hiring begins with a brief phone or in-person screening to confirm certifications, union status, and equipment familiarity. A site visit or practical assessment often follows, where you may be asked to demonstrate operation of specific equipment or walk through a pre-shift inspection. Final offers typically come quickly on active job sites, while larger employers in facilities management may add a background check and drug screen before confirming the start date.

Where can I find and apply to operating engineer jobs?

You can find and apply to operating engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search for roles that match your equipment experience and certifications, then apply directly to each listing that fits.

See All 240+ Operating Engineer Jobs

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

Find Operating Engineer Jobs