CHIEF ENGINEER

ESFM is the corporate facilities management (FM) division of Compass Group USA, a Gold-level Corporate Sustaining Partner of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and a Platinum Corporate Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). ESFM self-performs 80% of all FM services provided to clients. Our portfolio includes Facilities Maintenance & Engineering, ESG Programming, Laboratory Support Services, Janitorial & Industrial Cleaning, Landscaping & Grounds Management, Workplace Solutions, and Managed Services. This self-performance model creates a consistent hospitality experience for clients, resulting in higher engagement and productivity from their employees. ESFM’s clients include many household names from the life sciences, technology, oil & gas, and manufacturing markets.

About the role

The Chief Engineer serves as the on-site leader responsible for the operation, maintenance, and reliability of all building systems, with a strong focus on electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and critical infrastructure. This role provides technical leadership, hands-on oversight, and team management to ensure preventive and corrective maintenance activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with operational standards, while maintaining optimal facility performance and system uptime.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of IFM hard services delivery across mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and critical infrastructure systems
• Direct, manage, and develop a team of building engineers, technicians, and specialty contractors; establish clear roles, shift coverage, and accountability
• Lead incident response, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis for mechanical
• Ensure reliable 24/7 operation of mission-critical systems through preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Own site-level KPIs, SLAs, and compliance with safety, regulatory, and environmental standards
• Manage vendor relationships, OEM coordination, and third-party service providers
• Act as the primary engineering interface with client stakeholders and support operational reviews
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on uptime, efficiency, sustainability, and system resilience

Requirements

• 7–10+ years of experience in facility engineering or mission-critical environments
• Proven experience leading engineering teams or site operations
• Strong technical knowledge of maintenance, electrical, plumbing
• Experience working in data center or high-reliability environments
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) delivery
• Experience with BMS/EPMS and CMMS platforms
• Relevant technical certifications (mechanical or electrical)

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance / AD&D
• Disability Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Paid Time Off
• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)
• Associate Shopping Program
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Discount Marketplace
• Identity Theft Protection
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Personal Leave

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.