Chief Engineer

Clear Destination Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Detroit Institute of Arts is seeking a Chief Engineer to lead the maintenance and operation of the museum's HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems. You will oversee engineers and contractors, ensuring safety, climate control for collections, and reliable facility performance.

Reporting to the Director of Building Operations, you will manage budgets, drive preventive maintenance programs, and coordinate major capital projects while upholding museum standards and IDEA values.

Qualifications

• Requires Associate’s degree or technical diploma in a related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressive facilities engineering or building operations experience.
• Two (2) years of managing engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams.
• City of Detroit First Class Refrigeration Operators License and EPA Universal Certification required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance and operations of HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems.
• Lead engineering staff and contractors to meet safety and efficiency standards.
• Prepare operating and capital budgets with the Director, Building Operations.
• Ensure compliance with codes, regulations, and museum policies.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance and equipment performance.
• Lead emergency response for building systems and infrastructure failures.
• Manage vendor contracts and service levels for HVAC systems.
• Foster inclusion and collaboration across departments and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

HVAC systems

BAS/BMS

CMMS

Budget management

Vendor management

Emergency response

Communication

Education

Associate’s degree or technical diploma

7+ years facilities engineering/building operations

Two+ years managing teams

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Remote collaboration platforms (Teams)

Remote work technology

Job description

JOB TITLE:

Chief Engineer

DEPARTMENT:

Building Operations

REPORTS TO: Director, Building Operations

CLASSIFICATION:

Full-Time, Exempt

REMOTE WORK ELIGIBILITY: Museum Based

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Director, Building Operations, the Chief Engineer is responsible for managing the maintenance, repair, and performance of the facility’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. The Chief Engineer manages engineering staff and contractors to ensure a safe, stable, and comfortable climate for DIA visitors and to ensure accurate climate control for the art collection.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Manage the department, determining priorities and goals, scheduling, and annual budget ensuring that department resources and staff support the museum's strategic goals and annual museum-wide goals, and that those goals are met on schedule and within budget.
• Recruit, mentor, develop, and successfully manage a team to achieve the strategic objectives and the present and future needs of the department.
• Create a collaborative work environment by using a performance support process including goal setting, feedback, and development.
• Partner with Director, Building Operations to prepare operating and capital budgets.
• Manage maintenance and operations of all HVAC mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in line with museum standards.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of critical building systems. Oversee the maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of HVAC equipment, including chillers, steam generators, and other essential system elements.
• Develop and implement building management solutions.
• Maintain environmental conditions required for collection preservation.
• Oversee pertinent aspects of major capital projects and renovations.
• Develop preventative maintenance programs and asset management programs to ensure system reliability.
• Ensure compliance with safety codes, regulations, and museum policies.
• Monitor building automation system to optimize energy efficiency and reduce costs. Implement efficiency improvements as necessary.
• Lead emergency response for building systems and infrastructure failures. Address emergency maintenance issues and develop response plans.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance, equipment performance, and compliance.
• Participate in building maintenance and renovation projects related to HVAC systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues related to HVAC and other building systems.
• Manage relationships with vendors and contractors to ensure quality and value. Manage vendor relationships and service agreements for HVAC systems.
• Direct all engineering and maintenance operations.
• Foster, promote, and support Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) through the DIA values, active listening, embracing difference, and engaging with empathy to promote a culture of belonging among internal and external stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Associate’s degree or technical diploma in a related field required. Seven (7) years of progressive facilities engineering or building operations experience required. Two (2) years of managing engineering, maintenance, or facilities teams required. Experience overseeing large, complex buildings such as museums, hospitals, universities, or historic buildings required. City of Detroit First Class Refrigeration Operators License and EPA Approved Universal Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Certification required. Relevant trade licenses or certifications preferred (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, stationary engineer, etc.). Certified Energy Manager (CEM) preferred. Certified Facilities Manager, or a related field (preferred). Additional years of experience may be substituted for degree requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Must be a strategic thinker with the ability to plan and execute goals and objectives.
• Must possess leadership skills and the ability to lead a diverse team to meet strategic goals supporting the museum strategy and vision.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and climate control.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS)and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems.
• Technical knowledge of HVAC systems including boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and pumps.
• Demonstrated experience with preventive and predictive maintenance program
• Demonstrated experience with environmental regulations and monitoring.
• Working knowledge of energy efficiency standards, energy management and sustainability initiatives.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness and business continuity planning
• Working knowledge of Museum Environmental standards.
• Working knowledge of sustainability initiatives and LEED certification standards.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• General knowledge of relevant building codes and safety regulations.
• Working knowledge of collection preservation environment, conservation laboratory support, exhibition support, and artifact storage standards.
• Proficiency developing and managing operating and capital budgets.
• Ability to communicate with, manage and oversee vendors, contractors, and consultants to meet expectations and deadlines. Manage contractors and consultants
• Ability to respond calmly and make decisions in urgent and emergency situations.
• Ability to identify challenges and opportunities, engage others in their resolution, and recommend appropriate course of action.
• Ability to respond calmly and make decisions in urgent and emergency situations.
• Ability to work occasional weekend and evening hours for special events.
• Demonstrated ability to share complex information, ideas, and instructions clearly, effectively, and professionally to diverse audiences through talking or writing.
• Demonstrated collaboration skills to work across departments and divisions internally and with diverse stakeholders externally.
• Demonstrated organizational skills to plan, manage, prioritize, and complete multiple on-going projects tomeet deadlines and goals.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including occasional weekends, evenings, and holidays to meet operational and emergency needs.
• Must be proficient in the latest version of Microsoft Office 365.
• Must have proficiency in the use of remote work technology such as scheduling with, connecting to, and using digital collaboration platforms such as Microsoft Teams.
• Must be able to establish and maintain professional, productive and courteous interactions that promote positive teamwork. This encompasses going beyond giving and receiving instructions and includes but is not limited to (a) performing work activities requiring interacting or speaking with others; and (b) responding appropriately to constructive feedback or suggestions for improvement from a supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Upon receiving notice, reasonable accommodations may be made, if possible, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires occasional heavy work, and the ability to independently lift and carry a variety of materials, tools and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs., as well as the ability to manage heavier items with mechanical assistance. The position requires high visual acuity to ensure the safe use of tools and materials, and the proper operation of vehicles and equipment. Working indoors and outdoors may require exposure to seasonal temperature extremes. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and exchange accurate information using various methods including in-person, telephone, and email.