Chief Engineer

State Farm Arena; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tickets to events discounts

Hawks Shop discounts

Competitive benefits

Job summary

State Farm Arena in Atlanta seeks a Chief Engineer to lead HVAC operations and maintenance across events and non-event days. You will oversee chillers, boilers, pumps, and air handling units, ensuring reliability and safety while guiding a high-performing engineering team.

You will collaborate with internal teams, contractors, and vendors, manage preventive maintenance, and develop multi‑year plans within budget.

Qualifications

• 10+ years related experience with 7+ years in HVAC supervision.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical/electrical systems including chillers/boilers/pumps.
• Ability to lead, schedule, and develop engineering personnel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee HVAC operations and maintenance during events and non-event days.
• Manage preventive maintenance and safety compliance per regulations.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors and internal teams on projects.
• Develop annual and multi-year maintenance plans and budgets.

Skills

HVAC supervision

Facility operations

Leadership

Safety compliance

Education

EPA 608 Certification

Tools

CMMS

BAS

Job description

Who are we: A professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. Some of our favorite things are live sports, concerts, comedy shows, family shows, and most any other world-class event you can think of, and we’re looking for someone who shares the same interests. We live for the fast-paced world of sports & live entertainment, and as such, we work hard, run fast, execute flawlessly, and party it up when it all comes together. Lastly, we strive to deliver wonderful experiences that create lasting memories, and we prefer to surround ourselves with those who are the best at what they do.

Who are you: An enthusiastic lover of sports, live entertainment, and people. You have true passion for engaging in meaningful interactions and creating memorable experiences for all guests. You strive to be helpful, engaging, and knowledgeable of all things Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. You enjoy being a part of an exciting and dynamic group, and you’re committed to continuously enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of your team. Lastly, you enjoy working hard and celebrating hard, and you’d be shocked if guests weren’t positively impacted by their interactions with you.

The Chief Engineer leads all HVAC operations and maintenance activities at State Farm Arena, ensuring mechanical systems perform at peak efficiency across all Atlanta Hawks games and events. This role provides direct operational oversight of the engineering department, collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams, contractors, and vendors to deliver world-class facility performance with Southern Hospitality. Success is measured by the reliability of critical building systems, the development of a high-performing engineering team, and the seamless execution of events in a safe, well-maintained environment.

Key Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities (55%)

Oversee and manage all HVAC operations and maintenance activities, including chillers, boilers, pumps, valves, air handling units, and cooling towers, ensuring continuous and reliable system performance during events and non-event days. Monitor O&M work in progress to verify correct procedures are followed, providing hands‑on assistance during major or critical projects to maintain safety and quality standards. Conduct regular inspections of HVAC and mechanical equipment, identifying deficiencies and initiating corrective action to prevent operational disruptions. Set and manage work priorities based on equipment status, formal work order documentation, and event schedules, ensuring timely completion of preventive maintenance and repairs. Ensure all work is performed in accordance with ATL Hawks LLC safety regulations, good industry practices, and applicable fire safety requirements.

Secondary Responsibilities (25%)

Prepare and process purchase orders for materials, tools, equipment, and spare parts; secure pricing and ordering information from vendors and manufacturer representatives. Maintain tools and equipment inventory, ensuring all items are properly tagged, secured, and accounted for prior to maintenance or repair activities. Consult with engineers, contractors, and manufacturer representatives to exchange technical information on the operation, maintenance, and repair of existing and new building systems. Coordinate work schedules and delegate responsibilities to team members, ensuring clarity of role expectations and accountability for outcomes. Develop and implement annual mechanical and maintenance program plans, with general project planning extending three (3) years forward.

Tertiary Responsibilities (15%)

Prepare annual capital expenditure and operating budget recommendations for review and approval by the Director of Engineering. Evaluate department organizational structure and personnel requirements, making recommendations for staffing changes, promotions, and position description updates. Conduct performance reviews in accordance with personnel policies; recommend wage and salary adjustments within the company's approved matrix system, subject to management approval. Review operational reports, equipment conditions, and cost data to identify opportunities for improvement in HVAC O&M efficiency, cost reduction, and work method simplification. Participate in and support training programs that develop technical skills and reinforce departmental goals and company standards.

Additional Responsibilities (5%)

Interview applicants and assist in candidate selection for HVAC department positions, subject to management approval. Recommend personnel actions, including terminations, in accordance with company personnel policies and subject to management approval. Support cross-departmental operational needs during high-demand events or emergency situations as directed. Maintain proper dress attire as instructed by the Director of Engineering. *Any other job duties assigned

Requirements

Minimum of ten (10) years of directly related and progressively responsible experience, of which seven (7) years must include HVAC supervisory experience in an operational environment. Demonstrated in-depth working knowledge of mechanical and electrical components, systems, and structures, including chillers, boilers, pumps, valves, air handling units, and cooling towers. Proven ability to supervise, schedule, and develop engineering personnel while maintaining high standards of work quality and productivity. Strong oral and written communication skills; ability to clearly convey technical instructions and information to staff, contractors, vendors, and facility stakeholders. Ability to recognize unsafe or substandard work practices and implement corrective procedures consistent with company standards. Availability for on‑call response 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; ability to travel within and occasionally outside the facility, including overnight travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

Universal EPA 608 Certification or equivalent HVAC/mechanical licensure. Experience managing engineering operations within a sports, entertainment, or large public assembly venue. Familiarity with building automation systems (BAS) and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Working knowledge of fire safety systems and compliance requirements in a large-scale facility environment. Experience developing multi‑year capital improvement plans and managing departmental budgets.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class. Go Hawks!

We are a professional basketball team and state-of-the-art arena/entertainment venue that specializes in creating memorable experiences for each guest we interact with. The Hawks came to Atlanta in 1968 and since then, we have been True to Atlanta. Once you become a Team Member, you are family and we are True to You. The home of the Hawks, State Farm Arena has recently been completely renovated to better serve our fans in all aspects of their experiences at the arena. We host approximately 160 events and nearly 2 million guests annually with a capacity of more than 17,000. A 100% smoke‑free campus, State Farm Arena is consistently ranked among the top 10 concert and event venues in the world. We have also earned the #1 Game Experience in the NBA, and have reached these accomplishments through the amazing work of all of our Team Members. We know you will continue this trend as a valued Team Member with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena. Our culture is built on inclusion, diversity and innovation, all with a touch of southern hospitality. We show our culture in the community by building bridges through basketball. We have basketball camps and coaching clinics, we build new public courts in metro Atlanta neighborhoods, and many other projects like the Million Meal Pack. For our Team Members, we strive to be the best place to work in Atlanta. That means being True to You with investing in your development while having fun. We like to celebrate a lot with parties, hosting team member basketball tournaments and so much more. We offer competitive benefits and perks like tickets to events and Hawks Shop discounts. Whether hustling on the court, giving back to our communities, or investing in our team members, we are always True to Atlanta. Come be a part of the action. Go Hawks!