Building Engineer I/II

The J David Gladstone Institutes; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthy work/life balance

Excellent benefits

Commuter benefits

Free shuttle transportation

Job summary

The Gladstone Institutes, located in San Francisco’s Mission Bay, is seeking a Building Engineer III to manage HVAC, boilers, and building automation systems. You will lead maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure and supervise project work where needed.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in facility engineering, relevant certifications, and a proactive mindset to improve operational efficiency.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years hands-on experience with boilers, HVAC, electrical systems, BMS, and lab utilities.
• 2+ years of supervisory or lead experience preferred.
• Certifications in Boiler Operation, HVAC, Refrigeration, or Building Automation highly desired.
• Experience with CMMS and Siemens BMS preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and repair boilers, heaters, valves, and distribution lines.
• Maintain refrigerant systems, chillers, pumps, and air conditioning components.
• Manage water distribution piping, valves, and plumbing systems.
• Navigate CMMS to process work orders and maintain preventive maintenance schedules.
• Monitor and control building systems using Siemens Building Automation.
• Provide after-hours on-call support as required.

Skills

Boilers

HVAC

Electrical systems

Building automation systems

CMMS

Siemens BMS

Education

Boiler Operation Certification

HVAC Certification

Building Automation Certification

Refrigeration Certification

Tools

CMMS software

Siemens Building Automation

Job description

Category: Administration Lab/Area: Facilities Description:

The Gladstone Institutes is a leading independent, not-for-profit research organization dedicated to improving human health through groundbreaking biomedical research and education. Our work spans neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, immunology, and stem cell biology, with a strong emphasis on understanding and treating disease. With approximately 600 team members, including world-renowned scientists and biomedical leaders, Gladstone fosters a collaborative and innovative environment. Located at the Mission Bay Campus in a state-of-the-art facility, we offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and the resources to empower individuals to maximize their potential and make a meaningful impact on global health.

About the role:

The Facilities Department at The Gladstone Institutes is seeking a motivated and experienced Building Engineer III to join our team. In this role, you will apply your expertise in HVAC and building automation systems to support the Facilities Engineering team in maintaining and overseeing overall building operations.

Responsibilities include performing preventive and corrective maintenance on a variety of building equipment and machinery, navigating and managing the building management system (BMS), and utilizing light carpentry, electrical, and plumbing skills as needed. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities, implement independent methods and procedures, and take the lead or supervise various projects when required. While work is performed under general supervision, we are looking for someone who takes initiative and introduces innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency. This position also requires availability for occasional after-hours work and emergency on-call situations.

***This is a direct hire in-house role.

What you will do:

The Building Engineer I or II will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems essential to the facility's functionality.

• Boiler & Heating Systems: Operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, heater pumps, valves, and distribution lines for steam and heated or processed water.
• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning: Maintenance of refrigerant compressors, condensers, evaporators, transfer pumps, expansion valves, and air conditioning systems to ensure optimal temperature control.
• Pumping Systems: Operation and servicing of pumps handling brine, refrigerants, and other secondary refrigerating liquids, including water distribution valves and lines.
• Air Compression Systems: Maintenance of air compressors, distribution lines, air dryers, filtration, and separation systems.
• Water Distribution & Plumbing: Operation, maintenance, and repair of water filters, softeners, expansion tanks, piping, sinks, toilet bowls, supply lines, drains, and sprinkler systems.
• Electrical Systems: Servicing electrical motors used to power pumps, compressors, and fans.
• Work Order Execution: Performing various assigned work orders in a timely and efficient manner.
• Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS): Utilizing a computerized system to process work orders, inventory equipment, and maintain preventive maintenance schedules for key building components such as Air Handling Units and exhaust fans.
• Building Automation System: Navigating and managing the Siemens Building Automation System to monitor and control building systems and operations.
• Emergency Response: Providing emergency response during regular shifts and after hours, with an on-call commitment of at least one week per month.

What you will need:

• A minimum of 2 years of hands‑on experience working with boilers, HVAC, electrical systems, building automation systems, and lab utilities, as well as interacting with system end-users.
• Two or more years of supervisory or lead experience is preferred.
• Certifications in Boiler Operation, HVAC, Refrigeration, or Building Automation are highly desired.
• Building Equipment: Air compressors, vacuum systems, refrigeration, HVAC equipment, boilers, chillers, and the interconnectivity of building system operations.
• Handling High‑Pressure Situations effectively in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting, problem‑solving, and utilizing Building Management Systems (Siemens preferred) and Computerized Maintenance Management Programs (CMMS).
• Ability to effectively use tools, including handling a wrench.
• Strong ability to work independently while also thriving in a team setting.
• Experience interacting with vendors and system end-users, maintaining professionalism, and effectively managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Salary Range: $80k - $130K

Gladstone Perks & Benefits

• People–work with talented, committed, and supportive teammates within an organization that values each member of its community.
• A meaningful place to grow and learn–whether it’s your professional skills or scientific knowledge, we have the resources and environment to advance either so you can better support Gladstone’s mission to drive a new era of discovery in disease‑oriented science and to mentor tomorrow’s leaders in an inspiring and excellent environment.
• Healthy work/life balance–you are highly engaged and productive at work because you can have time to recharge and enjoy a vibrant life outside of work.
• Compensation–competitive salary. Title and salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
• Excellent benefits–generous medical, dental, vision, retirement plan, paid vacation, commuter benefits, access to free shuttle transportation.

Gladstone is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other non-job related characteristic. We make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment.

Based in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood, Gladstone is an independent state‑of‑the‑art biomedical research institution that empowers its world‑class scientists to find new pathways to cures.