Chief Engineer – Industrial Laundry Operations

Chief Engineer – Industrial Laundry Operations

Position Type: Full-time / On-Site

A premier provider in the high-volume industrial services industry is seeking a Chief Engineer – Industrial Laundry Operations to oversee engineering and maintenance functions at a mission-critical facility.

As the primary engineering leader on-site, this individual will manage a team of technicians, ensure round-the-clock support for core production systems, and drive equipment performance and reliability initiatives. The successful candidate will bring both strategic insight and tactical execution skills, playing a key role in safety, productivity, and operational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a diverse maintenance and engineering team (12–14 employees), including skilled technicians and custodial staff.
• Coordinate maintenance and engineering support across all mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, boiler, and automation systems.
• Oversee preventive maintenance and corrective repair programs using a CMMS platform to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Troubleshoot advanced equipment failures, respond to urgent plant issues, and implement root cause analysis (RCA) with corrective action planning.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, NFPA, and local regulatory requirements related to plant utilities and safety.
• Supervise contractors and vendor technicians on capital improvement projects and infrastructure upgrades.
• Drive efficiency by monitoring utility consumption, equipment reliability, and performance KPIs.
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the engineering team.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and capital expenditure planning for all plant maintenance and infrastructure needs.

Qualifications

Required:

• 7+ years of hands-on maintenance experience in industrial laundry, manufacturing, or a high-volume processing environment.
• 3+ years in a supervisory or engineering leadership role.
• Deep expertise in boilers, steam systems, pneumatics, VFDs, PLCs/HMIs, and electrical control panels.
• Skilled in interpreting schematics (mechanical, electrical, hydraulic) and managing complex plant systems.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and retain technical talent.

Preferred:

• Technical degree or equivalent field experience in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Boiler Operator Certification (as required by state).
• Background in welding, fabrication, or industrial automation systems.

Work Environment & Expectations

• Physical presence required for equipment inspection and real-time troubleshooting (must be comfortable with confined spaces, elevated work, and noisy, hot environments).
• On-call availability for urgent plant matters.
• Must be flexible to support 12–16 hour shifts, including weekends and holidays during peak seasons.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS