Chief Engineer

About the Role

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the effective daily leadership of staff, managing the engineering program to the highest level of quality work and customer service, and administering the engineering department in alignment with the management team, the C&W engineering platform, and client expectations. The role requires adherence to the highest ethical standards, reflecting the core values of C&W as defined in its Business Code of Conduct and related policies.

The Chief Engineer plans, implements, coordinates, and supervises all mechanical operations, maintenance, communications, energy management, and manpower development programs for assigned properties. The role may include limited hands-on operational duties and Watch Activity.

Responsibilities

• Supervise engineers and maintenance staff, including hiring, training, and personnel development.
• Ensure performance management, coaching, and development of team members through established HR processes.
• Participate and coordinate annual scheduling and execution of the C&W Safety Program, ensuring 100% compliance at the site.
• Manage operational accounts for the building, including variance reporting, and assist in developing operating and capital budgets.
• Oversee utility management, including tracking use, consumption, cost, reporting, sub-metering, and budgeting.
• Conduct regular inspections of building systems and equipment; identify and resolve issues.
• Recommend and implement improvements for preventive maintenance programs.
• Develop, implement, and maintain an effective preventive and predictive maintenance program, including task scheduling and routines based on manufacturer recommendations and industry best practices.
• Develop and maintain building-specific maintenance and safety procedure manuals.
• Coordinate development of and maintain an Operations Document Library, including construction plans, as-built drawings, MEP schedules, equipment manuals, warranties, and commissioning documents.
• Formulate and conduct building-related systems and equipment training.
• Coordinate maintenance efforts with outside contractors, tenant finish personnel, and engineers.
• Oversee all building systems, including fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical; stay current with the latest HVAC technology trends.
• Maintain ongoing communication with tenants, clients, property management, and vendors.
• Develop specifications and assist in solicitation, administration, and performance of maintenance/repair service contracts.
• May assist in solicitation and acquisition of new management contracts.
• Respond to all emergency situations (fire, evacuation, equipment failure) and customer concerns.
• Implement and administer inventory control programs, purchase parts, and supplies.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, requisitions, government agency, and company directives related to building operations.
• Perform operating engineer responsibilities, including being the only maintenance staff member on duty during certain shifts; may require shift work, on-call, or stand-by duties.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• 7+ years of related work experience in a commercial property setting or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Vocational/Technical training certificate.
• Appropriate license/permit for trade as required (e.g., Journeyman or Master Electrician License, City Licenses).
• Universal Technician certification for CFCs, depending on market licensure requirements.
• Financial knowledge for reading and understanding budgets, budget variances, and basic reporting.
• Familiarity with Energy Management System (EMS)/programming and fire alarm systems.
• Basic computing skills in Outlook, Excel, and Word.

Key Competencies

• Communication Proficiency (oral and written).
• Interpersonal Skills.
• Organization Skills.
• Technical Proficiency.
• Leadership.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Regularly communicate with others and exchange accurate information.
• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Move about the workplace.
• Remain in a stationary position for 30-40% of the time.
• Extend hands and arms in any direction.

Benefits

Cushman & Wakefield provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, including:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Life and disability insurance programs.
• Paid and unpaid time away from work.

Pay

The compensation for this position is $49.04 - $57.69 per hour, depending on factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.