Assistant Chief Engineer

Seattleartmuseum; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle Art Museum is expanding its Engineering team with an Assistant Chief Engineer to support the Chief Engineer across three sites. This hands-on role focuses on maintenance, repair, and operation of mechanical, electrical, and control systems, ensuring safety and continuous functionality of museum facilities.

You will supervise the Facilities Engineering team, help diagnose issues, document changes, and maintain records and spare parts.

Qualifications

• AA, OE, refrigerant, electrical certifications.
• Journey-level HVAC mechanic experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and maintain all MEP systems.
• Assist with supervision of the Facilities Engineering team.
• Support engineering duties as needed.
• Determine work procedures and expedite workflow.
• Assign duties and verify quality and standards.
• Ensure compliance with safety policies and procedures.
• Standardize procedures to boost team efficiency.
• Maintain engineering library and infrastructure records.
• Keep as-built records and document changes.
• Maintain clean and organized engineering spaces.
• Manage spare parts stock and tools for the team.
• Maintain daily operations procedures manual.
• Compile and maintain service logs.
• Test and ensure building fire life systems functionality.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance planning

Problem solving

Education

HVAC certifications (AA/OE/refrigerant/electrical)

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