Job Summary

The Senior Chief Engineer serves as the senior engineering leader responsible for the overall performance, reliability, safety, and strategic direction of building engineering operations across a large, complex property, campus, or portfolio of properties totaling 500,000+ square feet. This role provides leadership and oversight of engineering and maintenance staff while ensuring the effective operation, maintenance, repair, and improvement of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, building automation, and other critical building systems.

In addition to maintaining full accountability for the core operational responsibilities of a Chief Engineer, the Senior Chief Engineer leads engineering programs, develops engineering talent, drives operational excellence, preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, energy and sustainability initiatives, capital planning, and major projects. This position serves as a key technical partner to Property/Facility Management and clients while ensuring engineering staff performance, regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, vendor performance, and the long-term reliability of building infrastructure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Provide overall leadership and direction for engineering and maintenance operations.
• Lead, supervise, coach, train, and develop engineering and maintenance personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and accountability for quality, productivity, customer service, and safety.
• Direct day-to-day engineering operations, including preventive maintenance, repairs, inspections, work orders, and vendor services.
• Develop engineering standards, procedures, and performance metrics.
• Provide advanced technical leadership for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, hydraulic, fire/life safety, and building automation systems.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing engineering organization focused on continuous improvement.

Building Systems & Maintenance Management

• Oversee operation and maintenance of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire/life safety, BAS, and related systems.
• Lead preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs.
• Manage CMMS operations, work orders, inspections, equipment history, and reporting.
• Conduct facility inspections, condition assessments, technical audits, and engineering analyses.
• Maintain asset management and equipment lifecycle programs.
• Develop recommendations for replacement, modernization, and rehabilitation of aging infrastructure.
• Stay current with building technologies, maintenance methodologies, and industry best practices.

Strategic & Capital Planning

• Partner with Property/Facility Management on short- and long-term engineering strategies.
• Assist in development and management of capital budgets and replacement plans.
• Identify operational risks, infrastructure needs, and investment opportunities.
• Support feasibility studies and business cases for infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical leadership for major capital projects, including HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical, and BAS upgrades.
• Support project planning, bidding, contractor selection, commissioning, and closeout.
• Participate in building acquisitions, transitions, and startup activities.

Financial, Procurement & Vendor Management

• Assist with operating, capital, and extraordinary expense budgets.
• Monitor labor, maintenance expenses, utilities, and project costs.
• Develop technical scopes of work and specifications.
• Support procurement activities, RFP development, contractor evaluations, and bid analyses.
• Manage contractor and vendor performance.
• Review invoices and ensure expenditures align with approved budgets and contracts.
• Identify opportunities for lifecycle cost reduction and operational efficiencies.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead engineering safety programs and site-specific safety plans.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, fire/life safety standards, environmental regulations, and building codes.
• Maintain emergency action plans and hazardous materials programs.
• Support emergency preparedness, disaster response, and environmental compliance initiatives.
• Promote a strong safety culture and safe work practices.
• Ensure required inspections, certifications, permits, and compliance documentation are maintained.

Energy, Sustainability & Building Performance

• Drive efficient operation of building systems and utility consumption management.
• Develop and implement energy conservation and sustainability initiatives.
• Conduct energy audits and utility analyses.
• Utilize BAS, CMMS, and operational data to improve building performance.
• Partner with stakeholders to achieve measurable energy and operational improvements.

Property Management & Client Partnership

• Serve as senior engineering advisor to Property/Facility Management and clients.
• Support development of maintenance programs, emergency plans, and engineering procedures.
• Communicate engineering risks, priorities, and capital needs.
• Prepare and present technical reports, recommendations, and project updates.
• Ensure engineering services meet client and management expectations.

Staff Development & Performance Management

• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop engineering talent.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching.
• Identify leadership and technical development opportunities.
• Ensure appropriate certifications, licenses, and training are maintained.
• Build succession plans and develop future engineering leaders.
• Promote accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Reporting & Administration

• Ensure accurate engineering reporting and performance tracking.
• Maintain policies, procedures, standards, and engineering documentation.
• Maintain records related to maintenance, safety, equipment, projects, and compliance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma, GED, Trade School, Technical School, or Vocational School required.
• Additional education in engineering, facilities management, or related disciplines preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in building engineering, facilities operations, maintenance, or related technical fields.
• Experience leading engineering operations within large commercial properties, campuses, multi-building environments, or portfolios.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing engineering personnel.
• Extensive experience with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire/life safety, and building automation systems.
• Experience with preventive and predictive maintenance programs and CMMS administration.
• Experience supporting capital planning, infrastructure improvements, and major equipment replacement projects.
• Experience managing contractors, vendors, RFPs, and procurement activities.
• Experience with operating and capital budgets, expense management, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to function as a senior technical advisor to Property/Facility Management and clients.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Senior engineering leadership and staff management
• Strategic planning and operational leadership
• Advanced building systems expertise
• Capital planning and project management
• Preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Budget and financial management
• Vendor and contractor management
• Safety and regulatory compliance
• Energy management and sustainability
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Client relationship management
• Cross-functional leadership and collaboration
• Customer service orientation
• Continuous improvement mindset

Certifications & Licenses

• Appropriate OSHA and safety certifications as required.
• Highest-level applicable Stationary Engineer, HVAC/Mechanical, or other jurisdiction-required licenses.
• Universal Refrigerant Certification (where required).
• IFMA, BOMA, or equivalent industry coursework/certifications preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), CMMS platforms, and Building Automation Systems.
• Working knowledge of energy conservation and utility management.
• Ability to maintain knowledge of applicable codes, regulations, and emerging building technologies.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%, based on business needs.