Building Engineer

Meritus Property Group

Portland, OR

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JOB DETAILS

SKILLS

Asset Management, Automation Systems, Best Practices, Bid Packages, Billing, Budget Management, Budget Reporting, Budgeting, Building Codes, Building Systems, Capital Budgeting, Capital Expenditure (CAPEX), Capital Project, Coaching, Communication Skills, Construction, Construction Drawings, Construction Engineering, Construction Management, Contract Negotiation, Contract Requirements, Corporate Policies, Cost Control, Customer Relations, Customer Support/Service, Disaster Recovery, Documentation, Due Diligence, Electrical Engineering, Emergency Planning, Emergency Response, Employee Retention, Energy Efficiency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Equipment Maintenance/Repair, Establish Priorities, Expense Management, Expense Tracking, Facilities Management, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Management, Financial Reporting, Fire Safety, Groundskeeping, HVAC, High School Diploma, Home Automation, Home Inspections, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, Legal, Life Safety Systems, Lift/Move 50 Pounds, Maintain Compliance, Maintenance Services, Multi-Family Buildings, Multitasking, OSHA, Onboarding, Operational Expenditure (OPEX), Operational Support, Operations Management, Organizational Skills, People Management, Performance Analysis, Performance Management, Performance Metrics, Plumbing, Preventative Maintenance, Problem Solving Skills, Project Schedule, Project Tracking, Project/Program Management, Property Maintenance, Property Management, Purchase Orders, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Residential Real Estate, Risk Management, Roofing, Safety Compliance, Safety Training, Safety/Work Safety, Software Administration, State Laws and Regulations, Status Reports, Systems Administration/Management, Team Lead/Manager, Time Management, Training/Teaching, Trend Analysis, Vendor/Supplier Evaluation, Vendor/Supplier Relations, Willing to Travel

LOCATION

Portland, OR

POSTED

Today

About Meritus Property Group

Meritus is comprised of a committed team of commercial and multi-family management professionals that take great pride in being stewards of the built environment, operating assets efficiently, and providing an outstandingtenant experience.

Multifamily Building Engineer

Position Summary

The Multifamily Building Engineer is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, repair, and capital improvement planning of a portfolio of multifamily residential properties. This position provides leadership and technical expertise for building systems, manages maintenance teams, oversees capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, and ensures properties are maintained in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The Building Engineer works closely with Property Management, Asset Management, vendors, and ownership groups to preserve asset value and enhance resident satisfaction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Building Operations & Maintenance

Oversee the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and repair of multiple multifamily communities.
Ensure all building systems are operating efficiently, including:
- HVAC systems
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical systems
- Fire and life safety systems
- Roofing systems
- Elevators
- Building exteriors and common areas
Conduct regular property inspections and identify maintenance and safety concerns.
Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs across the portfolio.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.

Maintenance Team Leadership

Directly supervise Maintenance Supervisors, Technicians, Groundskeepers, and other maintenance personnel.
Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, training, and development.
Conduct regular site visits to monitor team performance and property conditions.
Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and retention of maintenance staff.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and customer service.

Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Management

Lead all capital improvement projects across the portfolio from planning through completion.
Develop scopes of work, budgets, bid packages, and project schedules.
Solicit and evaluate contractor bids and vendor proposals.
Manage contractors and consultants to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
Oversee major projects including:
- Roofing replacements
- Exterior renovations
- Parking lot improvements
- Building system upgrades
- Unit renovation programs
- Energy efficiency projects
- Life safety improvements
Monitor project budgets and provide regular progress updates to ownership and management.

Financial Management

Assist with annual operating and capital budget preparation.
Review maintenance and capital expenditures to ensure cost control and budget compliance.
Identify opportunities to reduce operating expenses and improve asset performance.
Analyze maintenance trends and recommend long-term replacement strategies.

Vendor & Contractor Management

Establish and maintain relationships with contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
Negotiate service agreements and contracts.
Monitor vendor performance and ensure compliance with contract requirements.
Approve invoices and verify work completion.

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
Conduct regular safety inspections and training sessions.
Maintain documentation related to permits, inspections, warranties, and capital projects.
Assist with emergency response planning and property disaster recovery efforts.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

High School Diploma or GED required.
Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Facilities Management, or related field preferred.
Minimum 5 years of multifamily maintenance experience.
Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience.
Experience overseeing multiple properties and capital improvement projects required.

Knowledge & Skills

Strong understanding of:
- HVAC systems
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical systems
- Building automation systems
- Fire and life safety systems
- Construction and renovation practices
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, specifications, and contracts.
Strong project management and budgeting skills.
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
Proficiency with property management and work order software.
Ability to manage multiple priorities across a portfolio.

Certifications Preferred

EPA Universal Certification
Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT)
Certified Apartment Maintenance Supervisor (CAMS)
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
HVAC Certification
Boiler or Stationary Engineer License (where applicable)

Physical Requirements

Ability to walk properties, climb stairs and ladders, and inspect mechanical spaces.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to travel regularly between properties.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Capital projects completed on time and within budget.
Reduction in emergency maintenance calls.
Preventative maintenance completion rates.
Maintenance team performance and retention.
Resident satisfaction scores.
Property inspection scores.
Operating expense management.
Safety compliance and incident reduction.

Reports To: Director of Maintenance / Regional Director
Supervises: Maintenance Supervisors, Maintenance Technicians, Groundskeepers, Vendors, and Contractors

Client & Ownership Relations

Participate in client, ownership, and asset management meetings as needed to provide updates on maintenance operations, capital projects, building systems, and property conditions.
Present project status reports, maintenance initiatives, and capital expenditure updates to clients and stakeholders.
Partner with Property Management teams to develop solutions that support operational goals and ownership objectives.
Respond professionally to client inquiries regarding maintenance operations, capital projects, and building performance.

Property Management Collaboration

Work closely with Regional Managers, Property Managers, and Asset Managers to support operational performance and resident satisfaction.
Provide recommendations regarding building improvements, deferred maintenance, risk mitigation, and long-term capital planning.
Assist with due diligence inspections, property transitions, acquisitions, and major renovation projects.

Additional Qualifications

Technical Knowledge & Industry Experience

Strong working knowledge of multifamily property management operations and maintenance best practices.
Proficient in Yardi Voyager, including work order management, purchase orders, invoice approvals, budgeting support, reporting, and maintenance tracking.
Experience utilizing property management software and mobile maintenance platforms.
Working knowledge of Oregon Landlord-Tenant Law and fair housing regulations as they relate to maintenance operations, habitability standards, notice requirements, resident communications, vendor access, and emergency repairs.
Familiarity with Oregon building codes, OSHA regulations, fire and life safety requirements, and risk management practices.
Ability to interpret financial reports, capital budgets, reserve studies, and maintenance expense trends.

Leadership Competencies

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with residents, associates, vendors, ownership groups, and clients.
Ability to lead maintenance teams across multiple locations while maintaining consistency in service standards and operational execution.
Proven ability to prioritize competing demands while managing multiple properties and capital projects simultaneously.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to asset preservation and operational efficiency.

Preferred Experience

Experience managing maintenance operations for a portfolio of 1,000+ multifamily units across multiple properties.
Experience overseeing annual capital budgets, replacement reserve projects, and large-scale renovations.
Experience presenting operational and capital project updates during client and ownership meetings.
Experience working within Oregon multifamily housing and knowledge of Oregon regulatory requirements.
Experience with Yardi Voyager, RentCafe, and other multifamily management platforms.

Building Engineer

Meritus Property Group

Portland, OR

About the Company

Meritus Property Group

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