Assistant Chief Engineer

Seattle-Art-Museum; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 98,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Paid time off

Jury duty leave

Job summary

The Seattle Art Museum is seeking an Assistant Chief Engineer to join its Facilities team. This hands-on role ensures the maintenance, repair, and operation of mechanical, electrical, and control systems across SAM’s sites, while supporting safety and efficient operations.

You will supervise the Facilities Engineering team, drive preventative maintenance, and align work with institutional standards. Strong HVAC and MPE knowledge, plus certified credentials, are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Requires AA certification or equivalent and technical certifications.
• Five years’ experience operating essential buildings or critical environments.
• Experience overseeing facilities and engineering in large institutions (museum, hospital, or nonprofit).
• Knowledge of direct digital control HVAC systems and MPE safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain MEP systems across sites.
• Supervise Facilities Engineering team activities.
• Lead safety compliance and maintenance procedures.
• Maintain records, service logs, and as-built documentation.
• Coordinate on-call duties and emergency responses.

Skills

HVAC experience

MPE safety procedures

CMMS asset management

Electrical systems

Supervisory skills

Education

AA certification or equivalent

BA/ME/EE preferred

Tools

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Zoom

Asana

Slack

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is an exciting moment to join a growing Engineering team. We are building up our team to better support the museum’s three sites. This newly added engineering role will join a talented and hardworking Facilities team which includes a Chief Engineer, another Assistant Chief, and several Maintenance Engineers.

The Assistant Chief Engineer supports the Chief Engineer and is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and operation of mechanical, electrical, and control systems across all sites. This is a hands‑on role that performs preventative maintenance, issue diagnostics, equipment repair, and ensures compliance with safety codes to keep museum facilities fully functional.

ABOUT SAM

As SAM heads into its second century, we are boldly reimagining what we can and should be. Our goal is to be a model for the future of museums - a bold, dynamic hub of creativity, belonging, and cultural leadership, shaping the future of art and community. Embracing new ways of engaging communities and seeking innovative partnerships - all while keeping art and community at the center of what we do. This ambitious effort represents a transformative shift and radically redefining how art museums operate. This is a pivotal moment for SAM, and we are seeking great talent to join us on our journey. Working at SAM is not just a job—it's a chance to be part of a vibrant, creative community.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and ensure the proper operation of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP) systems as well as their general maintenance
• Assist with the supervision of the Facilities Engineering team
• Support the engineering team in performing duties as needed
• Determine work procedures and expedite workflow
• Assign duties and examine completed work for quality and alignment with team standards
• Ensure that all work conforms to policies, procedures, and safety standards
• Standardize procedures to improve efficiency of the team
• Maintain the engineering library and infrastructure records
• Assure as‑built records of projects and document necessary changes for operation and maintenance programs
• Maintain orderliness and cleanliness in all engineering spaces
• Procure and ensure ample stock of spare parts and tools for team
• Maintain procedures manual for daily operations
• Compile and maintain service logs
• Test and ensure functionality of building fire life systems

WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Required Qualifications

• AA, OE, refrigerant, electrical, other certifications
• Journey level HVAC mechanic experience
• Five years’ work experience in operating essential buildings or critical environments
• Professional experience in the oversight of the facilities, maintenance, and engineering functions in a large institution (museum, educational or cultural institution, hospital, hospitality, nonprofit, or customer service focused organization)
• Working knowledge of direct digital control HVAC systems, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Electrical (MPE) Safety procedures
• Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical system optimization programs and servicing
• Working knowledge of basic building systems such as mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and paint
• Ability to share on‑call duties and respond to emergencies as they arise
• Working knowledge of CMMS asset management programs
• Understanding of regulatory requirements
• Be proficient in, or willing to train in First Aid, AED and CPR
• Ability to write clear and understandable maintenance task procedures
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and common sense in handling emergencies
• Read, analyze, and interpret documents, contracts, technical procedures and regulations
• Ability to operate personnel and scissor lifts
• Track record in exercising sound, timely judgment
• Supervisory skills; ability to motivate teams and simultaneously manage several projects
• Successfully assess priorities and work well with deadlines, exceptional time management, problem solving, and analytical skills
• Highly organized and adept at self‑initiation, and working with autonomy
• Be proficient in, or willing to train in First Aid, AED and CPR
• Exercise discretion in maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Asana, Slack and internet‑based research
• Ability to pass and maintain security

Preferred Qualifications

• BA, ME or EE
• Journey level HVAC, Plumbing, and/or Electric experience
• Expertise in NFPA and Fire code rules and regulations
• Boiler License
• Experience in a museum setting

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work areas are primarily inside, in a climate‑controlled environment with moderate background noise. Mechanical rooms present moderately severe noise where ear protection is required. Workspaces may include outdoor areas and the occasional need to work in wet conditions. Position involves working with hazardous chemicals, cleaning agents, electrical, steam, and rotating parts. PPE will be provided.
• Approximately 10% of time is spent stationary while working at a desk. Balance of time (approximately 90%) is spent moving around the work area.
• Ability to transport up to fifty (50) pounds of equipment and supplies and up to seventy‑five (75) pounds with assistance.
• The ability to work safely at heights is required, ability to work on ladders and scaffolding is required. Safe operation of multiple types of personnel and scissor lifts is required.

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Reports To: Chief Engineer

Work Location: Seattle Art Museum - Downtown Location – May need to work at SAM’s other locations in Volunteer Park and Olympic Sculpture Park

BENEFITS

Benefits include a fully employer paid HMP medical plan or an employee contribution PPO plan, dental, vision, and basic life insurance/LTD/AD&D, Flexible Spending Account, Short Term Disability, Supplemental Dental Insurance and participation in SAM’s 403b retirement plan.

Following 1 year of service and 1,000 hours worked, SAM makes a discretionary 3% employer contribution regardless of participation and provides an employer match program. Historically, this contribution has been made annually.

Additional benefits include paid time off for vacation, PSST, bereavement leave, and jury duty, 11 scheduled holidays, 1 paid floating holiday, a subsidized unlimited Orca card, onsite fitness facility, and an EAP. FT Staff also receive a Patron level membership to SAM, a Tier III membership to the American Alliance of Museums and discounts to museum shop and programming.

ACCOMODATION

The Seattle Art Museum will consider reasonable accommodations for all employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions/duties of this position. If you need an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]. For candidates, we ask that, if possible, you wait until you're invited to a screen, online technical assessment or interview before requesting an accommodation.

SAM is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming workplace for all employees and volunteers. Guided by our mission to connect art to life and engage diverse communities, we strive to create a sense of belonging for all of the communities we serve. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military status, or any other protected characteristic

$98,468 - $120,304 a year

with a target hiring range of $109,386