Chief Building Engineer

Prescott Group; Frisco (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Prescott Group seeks a hands-on Chief Building Engineer to lead the engineering function for a Class AA office building from construction through stabilized operations. You will partner with construction, property management, and ownership to ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality building performance.

This role requires extensive experience in commercial engineering, overseeing major systems, and coordinating with contractors, tenants, and vendors to achieve seamless turnover and ongoing

Qualifications

• 15+ years of commercial building engineering experience, ideally in Class A/AA office properties.
• Experience as Chief Engineer or senior-level Building Engineer.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, BAS/building controls, fire/life safety, and emergency power.
• Experience supporting tenant improvements, renovations, commissioning, or property activation.
• Ability to read and interpret MEP plans, construction drawings, specifications, and equipment documentation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of major building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BAS, life safety, elevators).
• Coordinate commissioning, start-up, and turnover of new/modified systems.
• Develop and implement a preventive maintenance program.
• Review construction activities from an ops perspective and ensure timely turnover of records.
• Support tenant move-ins and alignment of engineering requirements with occupancy.
• Manage third-party contractors and vendors; ensure safety, quality, and schedule adherence.

Skills

HVAC systems

Vendor management

Leadership

Troubleshooting

Project coordination

Reading blueprints

Tools

BAS/building controls

Job description

The Chief Building Engineer will serve as the technical and operational expert responsible for the building's physical plant, infrastructure, and critical systems. This individual will join the property team during the construction and activation phase, working closely with Property Management, Construction Management, contractors, vendors, and ownership throughout tenant build-out, commissioning, and building turnover.

As the property transitions to full operations, the Chief Building Engineer will assume primary responsibility for maintaining safe, reliable, efficient, and high-quality building operations consistent with the expectations of a Class AA office environment.

This is a hands-on leadership role for an experienced building engineer who can help establish the property's engineering function from the ground up—not simply inherit an existing operation.

• Partner with the Construction Manager, Senior Property Manager, contractors, engineers, and vendors throughout construction and tenant improvement activities.
• Participate in commissioning, testing, start-up, and turnover of new and modified building systems and equipment.
• Review construction and MEP activities from an operational, maintenance, and long-term building-performance perspective.
• Participate in construction walks, punch-list inspections, equipment start-ups, and acceptance testing.
• Ensure complete turnover of warranties, O&M manuals, as-built drawings, controls documentation, equipment information, and other critical records.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of building systems during construction to ensure a seamless transition to ongoing operations.
• Support tenant move-ins and coordinate engineering requirements associated with tenant construction and occupancy.

Building Operations & Engineering

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all major building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, BAS/building controls, fire and life safety, emergency power, elevators, and related infrastructure.
• Serve as the property's primary technical resource for building systems and equipment.
• Monitor building performance and proactively identify potential equipment, system, or operational issues.
• Coordinate planned shutdowns, after-hours work, and system maintenance to minimize disruption to tenants and construction activities.
• Respond to building emergencies, equipment failures, alarms, leaks, outages, and other critical operational issues.
• Ensure building systems operate efficiently while maintaining appropriate comfort and service levels.

Preventive Maintenance & Asset Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
• Establish equipment inventories, maintenance schedules, inspection requirements, engineering procedures, and documentation standards.
• Track equipment condition, useful life, repair history, and replacement needs.
• Make recommendations regarding equipment repair, replacement, and capital improvements.
• Assist Property Management with annual operating and capital budgets and long-term capital planning.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, inspection documentation, warranties, permits, and equipment information.
• Manage engineering-related vendors and service contractors, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, elevators, controls, generators, fire/life safety, and other specialty systems.
• Assist with developing scopes of work, evaluating proposals, and making technical recommendations.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure contracted work is completed safely, properly, and on schedule.
• Coordinate vendor access and ensure compliance with building policies, safety procedures, and construction requirements.

Safety, Compliance & Emergency Preparedness

• Maintain compliance with applicable building codes, OSHA requirements, fire/life-safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate required inspections, testing, certifications, and permits for building systems.
• Develop and maintain engineering-related emergency procedures and response protocols.
• Participate in emergency preparedness planning, fire drills, life-safety testing, and building emergency response.
• Promote a strong culture of safety among employees, contractors, and vendors.

Tenant & Property Management Support

• Work closely with the Senior Property Manager to provide a high level of service to current and future tenants.
• Respond promptly and professionally to tenant comfort and engineering concerns.
• Provide technical input regarding tenant requests, alterations, construction projects, and potential impacts to building systems.
• Communicate proactively with Property Management regarding building conditions, repairs, outages, operational risks, and capital needs.
• Support the property's transition from construction and initial occupancy through lease-up and stabilized operations.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of commercial building engineering experience, with significant experience in Class A or Class AA office properties strongly preferred.
• Previous experience as a Chief Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, Lead Engineer, or senior-level Building Engineer.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, BAS/building controls, fire/life safety, emergency power, and other commercial building systems.
• Experience supporting major tenant improvements, renovations, building commissioning, construction, or property activation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex building and equipment issues.
• Experience developing and managing preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience managing third-party contractors and specialty service providers.
• Ability to read and interpret MEP plans, construction drawings, specifications, and equipment documentation.
• Knowledge of building codes, safety requirements, emergency procedures, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with property management, construction teams, contractors, tenants, ownership, and leasing professionals.
• Applicable licenses, trade certifications, or professional credentials preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader and problem-solver who enjoys being involved early in a property's lifecycle. This individual will be equally comfortable walking a construction site with contractors, troubleshooting a mechanical system, reviewing commissioning results, managing vendors, supporting a tenant need, and discussing building priorities with Property Management and ownership.

Most importantly, this person will see the opportunity in joining the property before it is fully operational - learning the building from the inside out and helping establish the systems, standards, team, and operating practices that will support it for years to come.