This study aims to assess the job characteristics and work engagement relationship. This study also investigated emotional intelligence as a moderator in the relationship mentioned above. The respondents were 200 nurses working in public hospitals in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia. A Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS‐SEM) technique via Smart PLS 3.0 was used for data analyses. The findings indicated that task significance, autonomy, and feedback were significantly associated with work engagement. However, emotional intelligence failed to moderate the purported relationships. The results contribute to the job demand resources model and job characteristics theory by gauging job characteristics as the predictors of work engagement. The theoretical framework managed to substantiate partial support of the theory. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and recommendations for future studies are also presented.