Job Description Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Chief Building Engineer to oversee all engineering, maintenance, and building operations for a large high-rise student living community. This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of critical building systems while leading a team of maintenance professionals dedicated to providing an exceptional resident experience.
The Chief Building Engineer serves as the technical expert for the property and is responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of complex mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life-safety systems. This individual will manage preventive maintenance programs, capital planning, vendor relationships, inventory control, and emergency response efforts while maintaining high levels of resident satisfaction and operational excellence.
This is a hands-on leadership position that requires strong technical expertise, sound decision-making, and the ability to lead a maintenance team in a fast-paced residential environment.
Pay: $44- $45 The pay listed is the hourly range or the hourly rate for this position. A specific offer will vary based on applicant's experience, skills, abilities, geographic location, and alignment with market data.
Benefit Information: ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package. For information about ABM's benefits, visit Annual Benefits-Frontline Building Operations & Maintenance
- Direct and oversee all day-to-day maintenance and engineering operations for a high-rise student housing facility.
- Lead the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of:
- Cooling towers
- Chilled water and condenser water systems
- Associated pumps and circulation systems
- Boilers and domestic hot water systems
- Water heaters and storage tanks
- Mixing valves and mixing stations
- HVAC equipment and controls
- Building automation systems (BAS)
- Plumbing systems
- Electrical distribution equipment
- Emergency generators and life-safety systems
- Diagnose equipment failures and restore services quickly during emergency situations.
- Ensure building systems operate safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable codes and regulations.
- Develop and manage comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
- Conduct routine inspections of building systems and identify opportunities for improvements.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, develop, and supervise a maintenance team of approximately 4-5 technicians.
- Assign daily work orders, preventive maintenance tasks, and project responsibilities.
- Train, mentor, and coach team members to ensure high-quality workmanship and safety compliance.
- Establish performance expectations and accountability measures.
- Foster a culture of teamwork, customer service, and continuous improvement.
Resident Satisfaction & Customer Service
- Maintain high levels of resident satisfaction by ensuring timely completion of work orders and service requests.
- Monitor open work order metrics and drive improvements in response and completion times.
- Respond professionally to resident concerns and maintenance-related issues.
- Collaborate with property management to ensure an exceptional living experience for residents.
Budgeting & Financial Management
- Develop annual operating and capital expenditure budgets.
- Forecast maintenance and capital replacement costs for major building systems.
- Identify and recommend equipment upgrades, repairs, and capital improvement projects.
- Manage maintenance expenses while maintaining building reliability and performance.
- Review vendor proposals and oversee contractor work to ensure quality and cost effectiveness.
Inventory & Asset Management
- Establish and maintain appropriate inventory levels for critical spare parts and building components.
- Manage stock of frequently used materials including:
- Pumps
- Motors
- Valves
- HVAC components
- Plumbing repair parts
- Electrical supplies
- Ensure critical components are available to minimize downtime during equipment failures.
- Track inventory usage and purchasing requirements.
Safety & Compliance
- Maintain compliance with OSHA standards, local building codes, fire codes, and company safety policies.
- Conduct safety inspections and implement corrective actions when needed.
- Ensure required testing, inspections, permits, and certifications are maintained.
- Participate in emergency preparedness planning and response activities.
Emergency Response
- Serve as the on-call engineering leader for building emergencies.
- Respond to system outages, equipment failures, weather events, and other operational emergencies.
- Coordinate repairs and restoration efforts to minimize downtime and resident disruption.
- Provide leadership and communication during emergency situations.
Required
- High school diploma or GED.
- 7+ years of building engineering, facilities maintenance, or property engineering experience.
- 3+ years of leadership or supervisory experience managing maintenance teams.
- Experience operating and maintaining high-rise residential, multifamily, student housing, hospitality, healthcare, or large commercial facilities.
- Strong working knowledge of:
- Cooling towers
- Pumps and hydronic systems
- Boilers
- Domestic hot water systems
- Mixing valves and mixing stations
- HVAC systems
- Building automation systems (BAS)
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Demonstrated troubleshooting and diagnostic abilities.
- Experience managing preventive maintenance programs and work order systems.
- Ability to read construction drawings, blueprints, and technical manuals.
- Strong budgeting, planning, and inventory management experience.
- Proficiency with CMMS/work order management software.
- Valid driver's license.
Preferred
- High-rise residential or student housing experience.
- EPA Universal Certification.
- HVAC certification or trade license.
- Stationary Engineer License (where applicable).
- Certified Pool Operator (CPO) certification.
- Experience managing capital projects and building renovations.
- Experience with energy management and sustainability initiatives.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
- Ability to walk, climb stairs, ladders, and access rooftops and mechanical rooms.
- Ability to work in indoor and outdoor environments in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to respond to emergencies outside normal business hours.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.Privacy PolicyTerms of UseCalifornia Privacy RightsEmployee Privacy Notice EnglishEmployee Privacy Notice Spanish