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Chief Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Astrion

Overview Chief Engineer (Permanent Party) LOCATION: Kwajalein Army Garrison (Marshall Islands) JOB STATUS: Full Time PCS to Kwajalein (permanent change of station) CLEARANCE: background check/CAC ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Overview Chief Engineer (Permanent Party) LOCATION: San Diego, CA JOB STATUS: Full Time PCS to Kwajalein (permanent change of station) CLEARANCE: background check/CAC card CERTIFICATION: USCG TRAVEL ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$65/hr

Overview Chief Engineer (Permanent Party) LOCATION: San Diego, CA JOB STATUS: Full Time PCS to Kwajalein (permanent change of station) CLEARANCE: background check/CAC card CERTIFICATION: USCG TRAVEL ...

Astrion

Chief Engineer

San Diego, CA

$65/hr

Overview Chief Engineer (Permanent Party) LOCATION: San Diego, CA JOB STATUS: Full Time PCS to Kwajalein (permanent change of station) CLEARANCE: background check/CAC card CERTIFICATION: USCG TRAVEL ...

McAllister Towing

Chief Engineer

Port Jefferson, NY · On-site

$828.28/day

Chief Engineer Reports to: * The Chief Engineer directly reports to the Port Engineer. Supervises: * The Chief Engineer supervises the Oilers, Engineers, and all mechanical equipment onboard the ...

McAllister Towing

Chief Engineer

Port Jefferson, NY

$828.28/day

Chief Engineer Reports to: * The Chief Engineer directly reports to the Port Engineer. Supervises: * The Chief Engineer supervises the Oilers, Engineers, and all mechanical equipment onboard the ...

Fox Valley Metal Tech, Inc.

CHIEF ENGINEER

Chandler, AZ · On-site

$123.20K - $143.20K/yr

The Chief Engineer is responsible for leading and creating product designs for internally or externally funded research and development programs, to include the development of armor, blast ...

By the Sea Resorts

Chief Engineer

Panama City Beach, FL · On-site

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all facilities and equipment at two By the Sea Resorts hotels. They oversee a team of maintenance technicians and ensure that all ...

dynamicaviation

Chief Engineer

Bridgewater, VA

The Chief Engineer is the single technical authority for Dynamic Aviation's engineering function. This role owns the engineering operating model to include how work is scoped, baselined, reviewed ...

Campus Apartments

Chief Engineer

Washington, DC

Experienced Chief Building Engineer wanted! The Campus team is filled with passionate and enthusiastic people! Since 1958, we have been singularly focused on providing superb housing for college ...

By the Sea Resorts

Chief Engineer

Panama City Beach, FL · On-site

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the maintenance and repair of all facilities and equipment at two By the Sea Resorts hotels. They oversee a team of maintenance technicians and ensure that all ...

Campus Apartments

Chief Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Experienced Chief Building Engineer wanted! The Campus team is filled with passionate and enthusiastic people! Since 1958, we have been singularly focused on providing superb housing for college ...

Campus Apartments

Chief Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Overview Experienced Chief Building Engineer wanted! The Campus team is filled with passionate and enthusiastic people! Since 1958, we have been singularly focused on providing superb housing for ...

Campus Apartments

Chief Engineer

Washington, DC · On-site

Overview Experienced Chief Building Engineer wanted! The Campus team is filled with passionate and enthusiastic people! Since 1958, we have been singularly focused on providing superb housing for ...

AET

Chief Engineer

Galveston, TX

The Chief Engineer is the Head of the Engine department and is directly responsible for the general working efficiency and discipline within the Engine department. He or She is directly responsible ...

MalaceHR

Chief Engineer

Kernersville, NC

MalaceHR is seeking an experienced and hands-on Chief Engineer to oversee the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of all building systems within a heavy industrial manufacturing environment. This ...

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Chief Engineer information

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$32.5K

$92.9K

$181K

How much do chief engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief engineer in the United States is $92,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $120,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is a Chief Engineer?

Chief engineer is a job title that has a range of meanings across different industries. A chief engineer is the head of the engineering department in an organization. The duties and responsibilities of this role vary in different industries. In general, a chief engineer must have engineering experience in the industry, strong leadership qualities and problem-solving skills. Depending on the industry, the education requirements for a chief engineer job range from an associate degree to advanced degrees in engineering.

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

To thrive as a Chief Engineer, you need advanced engineering expertise, leadership experience, and a relevant degree such as a bachelor's or master's in engineering. Familiarity with project management tools, CAD software, and relevant certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) licensure are typically required. Outstanding problem-solving, communication, and team management skills help drive innovation and ensure smooth coordination across engineering teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for overseeing complex projects, maintaining high technical standards, and achieving organizational goals.

What are some common challenges Chief Engineers face when managing multidisciplinary engineering teams?

Chief Engineers often oversee teams that include specialists from various engineering disciplines, which can present challenges in aligning different technical perspectives and ensuring effective communication. Balancing project deadlines, resource allocation, and maintaining quality standards while navigating these differences is a frequent part of the role. Successful Chief Engineers foster strong collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and implement standardized processes to address these challenges. They also play a key role in mentoring junior engineers and promoting professional development within the team.

What does a Chief Engineer do?

A Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the engineering operations of an organization or project. They lead engineering teams, manage technical projects, and ensure that systems and infrastructure are maintained and improved according to industry standards. Chief Engineers also develop policies, coordinate with other departments, and solve complex technical problems to support the organization's goals. Their role often involves budgeting, staff management, and ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.

What is the difference between Chief Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectChief EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, professional engineering license, leadership experienceEngineering degree, possibly licensure, technical skills
Work EnvironmentProject management, overseeing teams, strategic planningDesign, analysis, testing, and development of mechanical systems
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, shipbuilding, aerospaceManufacturing, automotive, HVAC, robotics
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Chief Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Engineer typically oversees projects, manages teams, and ensures technical standards at a strategic level, often requiring leadership experience and licensure. Mechanical Engineers focus on designing, analyzing, and developing mechanical systems, working on technical tasks without the managerial responsibilities of a Chief Engineer. Both roles are vital in engineering industries, but the Chief Engineer holds a higher-level, supervisory position.

More about Chief Engineer jobs
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What are popular job titles related to Chief Engineer jobs? For Chief Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Chief Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 63% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 34% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,945 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Chief Engineer

NORTH AMERICAN LAND DEVELOPMENT

New Orleans, LA

$37/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision insurance

Position: Chief Engineer
Location: Downtown New Orleans
Schedule: MondayFriday; on-call and after-hours support as needed
Job Summary
The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall management, performance, and reliability of all building systems within a commercial office property. Unlike a Stationary Engineer role, this position provides leadership, direction, and oversight of engineering operations, staff, vendors, and long-term maintenance planning. The Chief Engineer ensures systems are not only operational, but optimized, compliant, and aligned with property goals and budgets.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead and manage all engineering and maintenance personnel, including scheduling, training, and performance management
  • Oversee the operation and efficiency of HVAC, chiller systems, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure
  • Develop, implement, and enforce preventive and predictive maintenance programs
  • Serve as the primary decision-maker for complex repairs, system failures, and emergency response
  • Manage and approve work performed by third-party vendors and contractors
  • Prepare and manage operating budgets, including forecasting and capital expenditures
  • Identify and recommend equipment upgrades, replacements, and energy efficiency improvements
  • Ensure full compliance with OSHA, local codes, and safety standards
  • Maintain high-level oversight of logs, reporting, and regulatory documentation
  • Act as the main point of contact for property management regarding all engineering matters
  • Establish and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering team
Qualifications
  • Must have Valid Stationary Engineer license
  • 5+ years of commercial building engineering experience, including leadership/supervisory responsibility
  • Advanced knowledge of central plant operations, including large-scale chiller systems
  • Demonstrated ability to manage teams, vendors, and budgets
  • Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to overseenot just performrepairs
  • Experience with building automation systems (BAS) and energy management preferred
Key Differences from Stationary Engineer Role
  • Leadership vs. Execution: Chief Engineer directs the team; Stationary Engineer performs assigned maintenance and repairs
  • Accountability: Chief Engineer is responsible for overall building performance and compliance, not just individual tasks
  • Decision-Making Authority: Chief Engineer makes final calls on repairs, vendors, and capital improvements
  • Strategic Focus: Chief Engineer handles budgeting, planning, and system optimization; Stationary Engineer focuses on day-to-day operations
  • Supervision: Chief Engineer manages staff; Stationary Engineer typically works independently or under supervision
  • Vendor & Client Interaction: Chief Engineer interfaces regularly with ownership/management and contractors
Compensation & Benefits
  • Competitive salary based on experience
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Company-provided phone