Chief Engineer

Job Summary

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the maintenance, reliability, repair, and productivity of equipment throughout the Division Laundry Houston facility. This position leads the maintenance team and oversees preventive maintenance, equipment repairs and installations, boilers, utilities, facility systems, and vendor relationships.

The Chief Engineer works closely with Operations to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient production while ensuring compliance with company, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Essential Job Functions, Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, train, and evaluate the maintenance team and coordinate daily maintenance activities.
• Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Troubleshoot, repair, install, inspect, and maintain industrial production equipment and facility systems.
• Maintain electrical systems, including PLCs and 480V equipment, as well as mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, conveyor, plumbing, steam, and boiler systems.
• Oversee boiler operations, certifications, inspections, and required maintenance.
• Monitor utility consumption and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and control costs.
• Coordinate equipment installations, plant projects, and facility layout changes.
• Purchase parts, equipment, and services within budget and maintain appropriate parts inventory.
• Coordinate outside vendors and ensure required documentation and insurance requirements are met.
• Partner with Operations to coordinate equipment maintenance and repairs with minimal disruption to production.
• Work with Ecolab to support chemical inventory, chemical titration, product quality, and chemical cost control.
• Support safety programs, regulatory inspections, and insurance inspections.
• Ensure maintenance employees follow company safety procedures, OSHA requirements, exposure-control procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Read and interpret blueprints, drawings, schematics, and electrical specifications.
• Maintain and repair motors, instrumentation, electrical controls, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and other industrial equipment.
• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation and records.
• Maintain the cleanliness and overall appearance of the facility to protect company assets and support efficient operations.
• Operate a forklift after completing required training and certification.
• Demonstrate professional, friendly, and respectful behavior.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an industrial commercial laundry facility and production environment. The position may involve exposure to large machinery, noise, heat, humidity, odors, chemicals, biological hazards, steam under pressure, confined spaces, and other industrial hazards.

Schedule

The Chief Engineer may work up to 10 hours per day and occasionally longer when required to support plant operations, maintenance needs, emergencies, or special projects. Weekend, rotating-shift, and after-hours availability may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Houston 1st or 2nd Grade Stationary Engineer License.
• 5–7 years of experience in a fast-paced, high-speed manufacturing or industrial environment.
• 2–5 years of maintenance management or supervisory experience.
• Experience managing maintenance personnel, projects, deadlines, and department activities.
• Strong industrial electrical and mechanical maintenance experience.
• Experience with PLCs, 480V electrical systems, conveyors, boilers, steam, plumbing, hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing industrial electrical, mechanical, and electronic control systems.
• Knowledge of boiler operations and plant utility systems.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and maintenance records.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, drawings, and electrical specifications.
• Basic knowledge of LOTO and OSHA safety requirements in an industrial environment.
• Experience working with hazardous chemicals and required PPE.
• Strong leadership, communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Computer proficiency.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, rotating shifts, and respond to after-hours maintenance needs as required.
• Ability to lift or manage up to 75 pounds without assistance.
• Ability to operate a forklift and complete required certification.
• Valid driver's license and acceptable driving record.
• Must pass a background check and drug screen in accordance with applicable laws.
• Must comply with all company safety rules and policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the commercial laundry industry.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Physical Requirements

This position requires frequent walking, standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling, twisting, and working around and underneath industrial equipment.

The position may require:

• Lifting and transporting tools, parts, equipment, and materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Frequent use of hand and power tools.
• Working at heights using ladders or scaffolding and accessing rooftops.
• Working in small or confined areas.
• Wearing required PPE, including gloves, safety eyewear, hearing protection, respirators, or other protective equipment as required.
• Working in physically demanding conditions for the duration of the shift.

EEO Statement

Employees of Division Laundry and Cleaning, Inc. are protected by federal laws, Presidential Executive Orders, and other laws designed to protect employees from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs.

Employees of Division Laundry and Cleaning, Inc. are also protected against retaliation. Consistent with federal laws, acts of retaliation against an employee who engages in a protected activity whistle blowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law will not be tolerated. Managers and supervisors of Division Laundry and Cleaning, Inc. are also reminded of their responsibility to prevent, document, and promptly correct harassing conduct in the workplace.