Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

Full Time

Non-Exempt

Union Position

About the Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler's focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.

Today, the museum typically hosts close to 400,000 visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, online citizen science, and other outreach efforts. With the Adler's support, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities gain the confidence to learn more about science and space discovery, and to explore their universe together under the sky we all share.

The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking a Chief Engineer to join our dynamic team on Chicago's Museum Campus. This person will lead the stationary engineer team and manage daily facility operations, maintenance, and administrative duties to maintain high safety, quality, and customer service standards. This role directly oversees internal and external building systems and collaborates with leadership on capital planning, utility management, and contractor agreements. This is a union position with the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) of Chicago, Illinois, and vicinity, Local 399.

This individual will also be responsible for:

• Oversee, execute, and document all preventative maintenance and repairs for facility systems, including HVAC (boilers, chillers, AHU, BAS), plumbing, electrical, chemical treatments, and fire/life safety.

• Schedule, lead, and instruct stationary engineers. Assign and track work orders using the CMMS (Facility Tree). Evaluate work quality, enforce safety standards, and support staff development.

• Partner with Operations leadership to provide technical advice on repairs, ongoing maintenance, and short/long-term capital projects.

• Enforce fire safety, general safety regulations, and shop housekeeping standards throughout the facility.

• Monitor utility usage (electricity, gas, water) and research opportunities to reduce overall consumption.

• Operate technology daily, including Google Workspace, Building Automation Software (Metasys), CMMS (Facility Tree), and ADP.

• Assist with broader facility and department priorities as needed.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Physical Demands: Heavy work involving frequent lifting of 50 lbs and constant lifting of 20 lbs. Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crawl, stand for extended periods, and work in tight or confined spaces.

• Work Conditions: Indoor and outdoor work exposed to changing weather conditions, high noise levels, mechanical/electrical hazards, atmospheric conditions (dust, fumes), and narrow passageways.

The Work Schedule

This is a full-time, non-exempt union position (IUOE Local 399) requiring 40 hours per week, with a schedule that varies based on operational needs and event seasonality:

• Event Season: Coverage is scheduled as needed, primarily shifting to evenings and weekends, with working hours typically falling between 3:00 PM and 3:00 AM.

• Off-Season: Typical working hours are 8 hours per day, 5 days per week.

• Emergency & Late-Night Coverage: Must maintain general 24/7 availability to respond to urgent facility emergencies, critical system issues, and late-night museum events as needed.

The Compensation & Benefits (Full-Time)

Base Pay Range: $52.20/hr

Work-Life Balance

• Eligible to accrue up to 15vacation days per year to start

• 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)

• 7 Adler paid holidays

• 4 Personal Holidays (Prorated for new hires starting after January 1st)

• Flexible Work Arrangements

• Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty

• Paid Parental Leave

Competitive Health Coverage

• Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance

• Healthcare, Dependent Care & Commuter flexible spending accounts

• Adler Paid Short-Term Disability insurance

Retirement Savings Plan

• 403B plan with Adler match

• Adler match is 100% vested immediately

• Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire

Network of Support through our EAP programs

• Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues

• Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services

• Free subscription to the Calm Premium app

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions

The Person

The ideal Chief Engineer is a proactive, hands-on leader with strong mechanical aptitude and a deep sense of ownership for maintaining a high-profile landmark facility. Thriving in a fast-paced, public-facing, and diverse environment, you bring a collaborative mindset and exceptional team leadership abilities to guide staff under pressure. You possess an excellent eye for detail and the foresight to anticipate potential risks before they arise, allowing you to maintain complex building components while multitasking effectively and staying focused on the big picture.

Required Qualifications:

• Current City of Chicago Stationary Engineer License.

• Minimum of 5 years as a licensed (City of Chicago) Stationary Engineer.

• Experience using computer software (email, word processing, spreadsheet, presentation program, video conferencing).

• Valid driver's license required (role uses the Adler Van and requires an MVR check).

Preferred Qualifications:

• High School Diploma

• Minimum 3 years as a Lead/Chief Building Engineer

• Previous experience working within a museum or cultural institution.

• Experience with Google Workspace, CMMS tools, and Building Automation Systems (e.g., Metasys).

The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email the Human Resources Department at [email protected] let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.