Chief Engineer

COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT's flagship Empire State Building, the "World's Most Famous Building," features its iconic Observation Deck. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of June 30, 2026, ESRT's portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.5 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn.

The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.


POSITION SUMMARY

ESRT is seeking a Chief Engineer who will work closely with the Property Manager and management team in the oversight of the building technical operations and project work, and in meeting all requirements of the Landlord. The Chief is fully responsible for supervising the building engineer staff, maintenance of the building equipment, preventive maintenance of all building equipment, overseeing associated outsourced building contracts, overseeing, and responding to Tenant service calls, providing support for all building leasing and marketing TI projects as required, expediting other special projects as directed by the Property Manager and responding to all building emergencies.

RESPONSBILITIES

BUILDING OPERATIONS & TENANT COORDINATION

• Serve as the building engineering representative and liaison with tenants and property management, ensuring building services are delivered in accordance with lease obligations and ESRT standards.
• Maintain positive tenant relationships by ensuring timely response to tenant requests, coordinating repairs, and documenting work through the building's work order system.
• Identify and report common area maintenance deficiencies and ensure appropriate corrective action is initiated.
• Perform regular inspections of common areas, back-of-house spaces, and mechanical and electrical rooms; generate work tickets as required.

FIRE LIFE, SAFETY & COMPLIANCE:

• Maintain a current Fire Life Safety Director Certificate of Fitness (F-89), as required.
• Maintain Fire Department-required logs and documentation for fire alarm, sprinkler, and standpipe systems.
• Ensure compliance with all fire life safety, emergency, and building procedures as established by ESRT and the managing agent
• Test, inspect, and maintain emergency equipment and systems in proper working order.

BUILDING SYSTEMS & PREVENTITIVE MAINTENANCE:

• Oversee the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire life safety, and related building systems
• Direct and monitor preventive maintenance programs for all mechanical and electrical equipment using the building's computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• Maintain accurate current and historical preventive maintenance records for all building systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues to minimize downtime and service disruption

CONSTRUCTION, RENOVATION & CONTROLS:

• Review and coordinate tenant construction and renovation activities to ensure compliance with approved plans and building standards
• Procure, review, and maintain architectural, mechanical, and electrical drawings, including as-built plans and CAD documentation
• Inspect construction and renovation work and prepare mechanical and electrical punch lists as required
• Coordinate and supervise controls-related projects, including procurement, design, and implementation
• Ensure tenant construction activities protect building infrastructure, finishes, and tenant property, coordinate restoration and cleanup upon completion

CONTRACTOR & VENDOR MANAGEMENT:

• Supervise and monitor contractors, subcontractors, and vendors performing work in the building
• Ensure subcontracted work complies with applicable codes, regulations, and ESRT best practices
• Evaluate, recommend, and monitor mechanical and service contractors, including bid review and performance oversight
• Maintain a current directory of approved contractor and vendor contact information
• Coordinate proper disposal of materials and waste in accordance with building and regulatory requirements

ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY:

• Monitor building energy usage and assist with the development and implementation of energy management strategies
• Identify operational efficiency improvements aimed at reducing equipment wear, energy consumption, and emissions
• Review and report on opportunities for preventive maintenance, energy savings, and cost-control measures

MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION:

• Supervise and coordinate activities of engineering staff using the building's CMMS platform (e.g., Building Engines or equivalent)
• Where assigned, direct and develop the Assistant Chief Engineer and delegate daily operational coordination while maintaining overall accountability for department performance.
• Ensure engineering staff are properly equipped, trained, and operating safely
• Assign, track, and close work orders daily; ensure timely communication with tenants regarding delays or deferred work
• Maintain a written listing of open tasks and provide clear work instructions to engineering staff
• Participate in the interview, training, scheduling, evaluation, and performance counseling of engineering staff, as required and in accordance with union agreements
• Review and approve time sheets and overtime; utilize payroll and reporting systems such as ADP and Excel

BUDGETING & REPORTING:

• Prepare and submit regular operational and activity reports to property management
• Assist with the preparation of annual operating, maintenance, and capital budgets
• Monitor expenditures and provide explanations for variances between approved budgets and actual expenses
• Prepare purchase orders and procure parts and supplies in accordance with company policies and approved budget guidelines
• Maintain inventory of building-owned tools, equipment, and supplies

COOLING TOWER & SPECIALITY SYSTEMS:

• Inspect, service, maintain, and repair cooling towers, chillers, and associated electrical and mechanical components
• Ensure compliance with cooling tower maintenance programs, reporting, and regulatory requirements
• Obtain and maintain required certifications (including Category 7G, as applicable) for cooling tower maintenance programs and chemical application

SAFETY, ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:

• Maintain awareness and adherence to all building safety, emergency, and security procedures
• Control engineering operations and response activities during emergency situations
• Promote a safe, ethical, and drug-free workplace
• Maintain professional appearance, conduct, and courteous working relationships with tenants, contractors, and colleagues
• Act as a cooperative member of the management and building operations team

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

You are a highly motivated and engaged engineering leader who takes full ownership of building performance and does more than react to daily requests. You anticipate operational needs, identify risks early, communicate clearly with management, and follow issues through final resolution. You develop and hold your team accountable, look for smarter and more efficient ways to operate, embrace new technology, and bring forward practical recommendations that improve reliability, safety, cost control, sustainability, and tenant service.


REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Demonstrated training and/or hands-on experience in multiple building trades
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot HVAC systems, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment
• Working knowledge of electrical systems and related subsystems
• Experience with building control systems, including pneumatic, electric, electronic, and solid-state direct digital control (DDC) systems
• Knowledge of plumbing, pressure piping, hydronic, and other pressurized piping systems
• Familiarity with fire alarm systems, life safety systems, air distribution (ductwork), and VAV systems
• Ability to safely use tools, equipment, and test instruments to measure, analyze, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair electrical and HVAC systems
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS), including platforms such as Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Tridium, Alerton, Automated Logic, Distech, Schneider Electric, or similar systems
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance programs applicable to building systems
• Basic proficiency in the use of computer systems and related software

MANAGEMENT & COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• Working knowledge of supervisory and management practices, including time management and people management and performance oversight
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English with supervisors, coworkers, vendors, and management
• Ability to prepare professional written documentation, including reports, memoranda, logs, and records
• Strong proficiency with email, Microsoft Office applications, particularly Outlook and Excel, and operational technology platforms, including CMMS, BMS, payroll, purchasing, budgeting, and reporting systems
• Must be comfortable learning and adopting new programs and applications.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), College or university credits or degree in applicable discipline preferred
• Minimum (5) years' experience in the various disciplines of operating engineering, electrical power, and HVAC systems, with two or more years with personnel management experience
• A current engineer's license (or equivalent) that is either issued or recognized and accepted by the jurisdiction in which the employee is actively engaged
• EPA CFC Certification
• Refrigeration (Q-01)/Operator's Certificate of Fitness
• Fire Life Safety Director (F-89) and Emergency Action Plan Certificate of Finesses
• Category 7G Certified Applicator License
• (G7) Category 7G Certified Applicator License (Pesticide), required or expected to be obtained
• S-12/S-13 qualified or expected to be obtained.
• Fireguard/Torch (F-60)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position
• Ability to work off the ladder
• Ability to work in tight environments
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
• Adaptable - you are a self-starter who's able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
• Dynamic - you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable - you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate - you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a "roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude
• Curious - you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical - you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
• Positive - you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS

• Local 94 Benefits as per Collective Bargaining Agreement

$65 - $70 an hour

ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. 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.