Chief Building Engineer for Downtown Seattle Historic Building

Menashe Properties, Inc.; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Health savings account

Life insurance

Paid time off

Vision insurance

Job summary

Menashe Properties, Inc. seeks a Chief Engineer for a historic Downtown Seattle building.

Lead and manage the on-site engineering team, ensuring safe, reliable operation with proactive maintenance and strong vendor oversight. Responsibilities include PM program design, CMMS utilization, and coordinating with Ownership on upgrades and capital projects while maintaining compliance with codes and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial or institutional building operations.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Experience supervising or leading an engineering team.
• Familiarity with CMMS platforms and electronic work order systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the on-site engineering team.
• Develop and enforce a preventive maintenance program.
• Oversee vendor performance and manage service contracts.
• Coordinate with ownership on budgets and capital projects.
• Ensure compliance with building codes, safety regulations, and best practices.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Team leadership

Communication skills

Blueprint reading

Troubleshooting

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Job Overview:

An established commercial real estate firm is looking for a Chief Engineer for an historic building in Downtown Seattle. The Chief Building Engineer provides leadership and technical expertise for all the building's systems. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the property, with a focus on strong preventive maintenance, vendor oversight, and team development.

Building systems include:

• HVAC equipment (central plant, AHUs, RTUs, heat pumps, fan coils, exhaust, etc.).
• Steam, condensate, and related plumbing.
• Electrical distribution and lighting systems.
• Life-safety systems (fire alarm, sprinkler interfaces, emergency power as applicable).
• Controls/BAS and building monitoring systems.
• Conduct regular facility inspections to identify and correct issues before they escalated.
• Lead and participate in troubleshooting complex or recurring problems, with a focus on root cause identification and long-term solutions.

Preventive Maintenance & Compliance

• Design, implement, and maintain a preventive maintenance (PM) program for the building that meets or exceeds manufacturer recommendations, applicable codes, and company standards.
• Utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to:
• Schedule, assign, and track PMs and corrective work orders.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance, repairs, and inspections.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations related to building operations, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Coordinate inspections and testing with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and ensure all deficiencies are addressed in a timely manner.

Vendor & Project Oversight

• Serve as primary onsite contact for key vendors (mechanical, plumbing, controls, elevator, fire/life safety, etc.).
• Review, clarify, and challenge vendor scopes of work as needed to protect the building and Ownership.
• Oversee vendor performance during service calls and projects; verify that work is completed to scope and quality standards.
• Assist Property Management and Ownership with budgeting and planning for system upgrades, repairs, and capital projects.

Team Leadership & Training

• Directly supervise the onsite engineering team.
• Provide daily direction, assign work orders and PMs, and monitor workload distribution.
• Set clear expectations for work quality, communication, documentation, and safety.
• Develop the team through coaching, on-the-job training, and cross-training on building systems.
• Participate in hiring, performance feedback, and ongoing development of engineering staff.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in commercial or institutional building operations, preferably in high-rise, medical/dental, or similarly complex facilities.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and demonstrated ability to troubleshoot:
• HVAC and central plant systems
• Plumbing/steam/condensate and drains
• Basic to intermediate electrical systems
• Experience supervising or leading a facilities/engineering team.
• Familiarity with CMMS platforms and electronic work order systems.
• Strong understanding of building codes, safety regulations, and best practices for building operations.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to work effectively with tenants, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to work in mechanical spaces, on roofs, and in other non-conditioned areas, including occasional lifting, climbing, and use of ladders.

About the Position

• Salary Range: $120k - $150k DOE
• Full-time, Monday-Friday, with on-call assistance as needed.
• Primary work location: Downtown Seattle office Bldg
• Must live in OR/WA for payroll purposes (close enough to report to the building).
• Reports to: Property Management and Director of Engineering

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person