Sr. Chief Engineer

Job TitleSr. Chief EngineerJob Description SummaryThe Chief Engineer will be responsible for leadership of Engineers and management of daily operations, preventative maintenance and repairs to HVAC, electrical, fire life safety, plumbing, and all other building systems through planning and management of staff, subcontractors and other vendors. Responsibilities include management of campus environment (30 acre) consisting of 6 buildings (700K Sq. Ft.) occupant space, café, parking structure and surrounding association.Job DescriptionJob SummaryThe 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 ResponsibilitiesEngineering Leadership & Operational ExcellenceProvide 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 ManagementOversee 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 PlanningPartner 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 ManagementAssist 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 ManagementLead 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 PerformanceDrive 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 PartnershipServe 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 ManagementRecruit, 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 & AdministrationEnsure 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 QualificationsEducationHigh School Diploma, GED, Trade School, Technical School, or Vocational School required.Additional education in engineering, facilities management, or related disciplines preferred.ExperienceMinimum 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 & AbilitiesSenior engineering leadership and staff managementStrategic planning and operational leadershipAdvanced building systems expertiseCapital planning and project managementPreventive and predictive maintenance programsBudget and financial managementVendor and contractor managementSafety and regulatory complianceEnergy management and sustainabilityStrong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsClient relationship managementCross-functional leadership and collaborationCustomer service orientationContinuous improvement mindsetCertifications & LicensesAppropriate 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 RequirementsProficiency 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.Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.The compensation for the position is: $ 110,500.00 - $130,000.00Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”SummaryLocation: Client Site - USA - CA - Santa Ana - 3231 S Standard AvenueType: Full time