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Operating Engineer

Jones Lang LaSalle · Oakbrook Terrace, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you found a problem during routine rounds before it turned into a failure.

What they are checking: Whether they pay real attention on rounds, which is where most expensive breakdowns get prevented.

This is a Local 399 union position. How do you work with a supervisor when you disagree about how a job should be done?

What they are checking: Whether they can raise a disagreement respectfully and within the agreement without stalling the work.

Tell me about a repair you did that you later realized was wrong. What happened next?

What they are checking: Whether they own mistakes openly, which keeps small errors from becoming safety problems.

What would you do

You're covering another site during an emergency and you've never been in that building. What do you do when you walk in?

What they are checking: Whether they get oriented safely and quickly by finding drawings, shutoffs and the local contact before acting.

A tenant is upset because their office has been cold for three days. How do you handle that conversation while you fix it?

What they are checking: Whether they pair technical work with the customer service mindset the posting asks for.

About the work

This role covers mechanical, plumbing, structural, fire, life safety and control systems. Which of those are you strongest in, and which would you need help with?

What they are checking: Whether they know their own skill gaps honestly, which matters when they cover sites alone.

Walk me through how you'd troubleshoot an air handler that's running but the space it serves is still too warm.

What they are checking: Whether they work through airflow, coil, valves and controls in a logical order instead of guessing.

How do you test fire and life safety systems, and what records do you keep?

What they are checking: Whether they treat life safety testing and documentation as non-negotiable, since inspectors and lives depend on it.

How do you keep track of preventive maintenance across several assigned locations so nothing gets missed?

What they are checking: Whether they use a work order system or clear routine rather than relying on memory across multiple buildings.

What would you check on a cooling tower at the start of the season?

What they are checking: Whether they know practical startup checks like water treatment, fans, basins and controls.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Jones Lang LaSalle from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by Jones Lang LaSalle.

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way . Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you’ve got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you’re looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward. Operating Engineer – JLL Local 399 Union What this job involves: As a first shift Operating Engineer at JLL, you will be the technical backbone of our client facilities across Northern Illinois, ensuring optimal performance of all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Working from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM, you'll control daily operations of critical building equipment while performing essential maintenance and repairs across Mechanical, Plumbing, Structural, Furniture, Fire, Life Safety, and Control systems. This role is integral to delivering JLL's commitment to operational excellence, requiring both technical expertise and a customer service mindset. You'll be responsible for your assigned locations while providing crucial backup coverage to other sites during emergencies, making you a key player in maintaining seamless building operations that keep our clients' businesses running smoothly. What your day-to-day will look like: • Control and monitor daily operations of all mechanical equipment including refrigeration, water cooling, air conditioning, boilers, heating, ventilating, hot water equipment, pumps, valves, piping, filters, and related electrical systems to ensure optimal building performance • Perform maintenance and repairs across multiple building systems including Mechanical, Plumbing, Structural, Furniture, Fire, Life Safety, and Control systems while responding to tenant service requests accurately and expediently throughout your shift • Formulate and implement preventative maintenance programs in conjunction with the Operations Manager, completing scheduled maintenance tasks in a timely manner while ensuring compliance with applicable standards • Evaluate and monitor building systems to identify opportunities for improved performance and operating efficiencies, while overseeing the quality and pricing of work performed by outside contractors • Track and report time worked according to account policies, comply with purchasing and receiving procedures, complete all required training and safety programs, and periodically serve as on-call engineer for the portfolio of buildings • Participate in emergency response procedures and technical training programs while performing all work using proper safety equipment, reporting safety issues to supervisors, and maintaining professional development • Handle special projects and administrative functions as assigned by management or clients, ensuring all work aligns with building policies and JLL's service standards Required Qualifications: • Universal EPA 608 • City of Chicago Boilers License Preferred Qualifications: • High school diploma or GED with minimum 4 years of experience in electrical and HVAC trade, including hands-on work with Roof Top Units • Minimum 4 years of experience working with backup systems including generators and UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) systems • Experience managing tenant services and responding to diverse facility requests in commercial building environments • Background in developing and implementing preventative maintenance programs and schedules • Familiarity with purchasing procedures, vendor management, and inventory control systems • Experience coordinating contracted maintenance services and monitoring contractor work quality and pricing • Knowledge of additional building automation and control technologies beyond basic operational requirements Location: Northern Illinois (Multiple Sites) Work Shift: 1st Shift, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM This position does not provide visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. Estimated compensation for this position: 107,203.00 – 107,203.00 USD per year This range is an estimate and actual compensation may differ. Final compensation packages are determined by various considerations including but not limited to candidate qualifications, location, market conditions, and internal considerations. Location: On-site –Oakbrook Terrace, IL If this job description resonates with you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the requirements. We’re interested in getting to know you and what you bring to the table! Personalized benefits that support personal well-being and growth: JLL recognizes the impact that the workplace can have on your wellness, so we offer a supportive culture and comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes mental, physical and emotional health. Some of these benefits may include: • 401(k) plan with matching company contributions • Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Care • Paid parental leave at 100% of salary • Paid Time Off and Company Holidays • Early access to earned wages through Daily Pay At JLL, we harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to efficiently accelerate meaningful connections between candidates and opportunities. Using AI capabilities, we analyze your application for relevant skills, experiences, and qualifications to generate valuable insights about how your unique profile aligns with the specific requirements of the role you're pursuing. JLL Privacy Notice Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading global provider of real estate and investment management services. We take our responsibility to protect the personal information provided to us seriously. Generally the personal information we collect from you are for the purposes of processing in connection with JLL’s recruitment process. We endeavour to keep your personal information secure with appropriate level of security and keep for as long as we need it for legitimate business or legal reasons. We will then delete it safely and securely. For more information about how JLL processes your personal data, please view our Candidate Privacy Statement . For additional details please see our career site pages for each country. For candidates in the United States, please see a full copy of our Equal Employment Opportunity policy here . Jones Lang LaSalle (“JLL”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process – including the online application and/or overall selection process – you may email us at HRSCLeaves@jll.com . This email is only to request an accommodation. Please direct any other general recruiting inquiries to our Contact Us page > I want to work for JLL. Pursuant to the Arizona Civil Rights Act, criminal convictions are not an absolute bar to employment. Pursuant to Illinois Law, applicants are not obligated to disclose sealed or expunged records of conviction or arrest. Pursuant to Columbia, SC ordinance, this position is subject to a background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities. Only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate. California Residents only If you are a California resident as defined in the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) please view our Supplemental Privacy Statement which describes your rights and disclosures about your personal information. If you are viewing this on a mobile device you may want to view the CCPA version on a larger device. Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, JLL will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Accepting applications on an ongoing basis until candidate identified.

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