Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

JVK Operations
Amityville, NY

Position Summary

JVK Operations is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Chief Engineer to lead all engineering, maintenance, and technical operations at our Amityville, NY commercial laundry facility. The Chief Engineer will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of all production equipment, facility systems, and maintenance operations. This position requires extensive experience with PLC controls, industrial electrical systems, heavy production equipment, preventive maintenance programs, and systematic troubleshooting methodologies.

The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with strong technical expertise and a proven ability to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and lead maintenance teams in a fast-paced production environment.

Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesEngineering & Maintenance Leadership

• Lead, supervise, and develop maintenance technicians and engineering personnel.
• Establish and manage preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Develop maintenance schedules to maximize equipment uptime and production efficiency.
• Monitor equipment performance and implement corrective actions to reduce downtime.
• Manage maintenance budgets, parts inventory, and capital improvement projects.
• Ensure proper documentation of maintenance activities and equipment records.

PLC Controls & Automation

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair PLC-controlled production equipment.
• Support and maintain PLC systems, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and automated controls.
• Coordinate equipment upgrades and automation improvements.
• Work closely with vendors and contractors on controls-related projects.

Electrical Systems

• Oversee maintenance and repair of industrial electrical systems up to 480V.
• Troubleshoot motors, drives, control panels, power distribution systems, and electrical components.
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes and safety standards.
• Maintain electrical schematics and system documentation.

Commercial Laundry Equipment & Heavy Machinery

• Maintain and improve performance of industrial washers, dryers, tunnels, presses, conveyors, boilers, pumps, compressors, and related production equipment.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations for equipment failures.
• Implement reliability-centered maintenance strategies to improve operational performance.
• Coordinate major repairs, equipment installations, and facility improvements.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote a culture of safety throughout the facility.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
• Conduct safety inspections and support accident prevention initiatives.
• Maintain compliance with all applicable environmental and regulatory requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve production efficiency and equipment reliability.
• Lead process improvement initiatives focused on reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
• Utilize data-driven and systematic problem-solving techniques to support operational goals.

QualificationsEducation

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.
• Relevant technical certifications are a plus.

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of maintenance and engineering experience in a manufacturing, industrial laundry, or heavy industrial environment.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience leading maintenance teams.
• Strong experience with PLC controls, electrical troubleshooting, and industrial automation systems.
• Experience working with heavy industrial equipment and production machinery.
• Experience with boilers, compressors, conveyors, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic systems preferred.
• Experience with CMMS and preventive maintenance programs preferred.

Skills

• Strong PLC troubleshooting experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motors, drives, and control circuits.
• Excellent systematic troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a production and industrial environment.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb as required.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.

JVK Operations is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a safe, productive, and inclusive workplace.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person