Commercial Building Engineer HVAC

Signature Science, LLC; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Signature Science, LLC seeks a Building Engineer / Facilities Engineer to support laboratory and office facilities in Charlottesville, VA. You will perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot building systems, and coordinate with service providers to ensure safe, reliable operations.

The role requires practical MEP knowledge, hands-on handyman skills, and the ability to determine when specialized contractors are needed. A valid driver’s license and local travel are expected.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or associate degree preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting and mechanical aptitude with ability to read manuals and drawings.
• Ability to safely use hand and power tools and read equipment maintenance instructions.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repair of building systems and equipment.
• Maintain knowledge of facility mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and related systems.
• Identify problems and decide if work can be done internally or requires a contractor.
• Coordinate access for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and other service providers and escort them on-site.
• Assist with quotes, scopes of work, scheduling, and coordination of contracted maintenance.
• Verify completion of service activities and secure work areas after contractor activity.
• Maintain preventive maintenance records and respond to urgent facility issues.
• Support moves, furniture installation, and general space configuration.

Skills

Handyman skills

Troubleshooting

Read manuals/drawings

Tool use (hand/power tools)

Communication with vendors/contractors

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical/trade/associate degree in building systems

Job description

The Building Engineer / Facilities Engineer is responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of company laboratory and office facilities in Charlottesville, Virginia. This position provides hands‑on facilities support and serves as a knowledgeable first point of contact for building systems, routine maintenance, repairs, service providers, and facility‑related issues.

The successful candidate will have a practical, generalized understanding of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems and strong troubleshooting and handyman skills. The position does not require expertise in every building trade but does require the ability to recognize problems, perform appropriate routine repairs and maintenance, and determine when specialized or licensed contractors are required.

Perform routine inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repair of building systems and equipment.

Maintain a working knowledge of facility mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and related building systems.

Identify and troubleshoot common facility problems and determine whether work can be performed internally or requires a specialized contractor.

Perform general handyman and maintenance activities, including minor plumbing repairs, hardware replacement, furniture assembly and repair, wall patching, painting, shelving installation, and similar work.

Monitor facility conditions and identify maintenance needs before they result in equipment failure or disruption to operations.

Support laboratory infrastructure, including environmental controls, electrical service, plumbing, compressed gases, laboratory utilities, and other building systems supporting laboratory operations.

Assist with routine monitoring and maintenance of specialized facility equipment such as laboratory refrigerators/freezers, environmental equipment, backup systems, and related infrastructure, as appropriate.

Coordinate access for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, security, equipment maintenance, and other outside service providers and contractors.

Escort service providers, contractors, inspectors, and other authorized visitors while they are working within company facilities, including laboratory and other access‑controlled areas, as required.

Remain available to service providers during on‑site work to facilitate access, answer facility‑related questions, coordinate with employees, and ensure work is performed within authorized areas and scope.

Assist in obtaining quotes, defining scopes of work, scheduling service, and coordinating contracted maintenance and repairs.

Verify completion of service activities and ensure work areas are appropriately secured and returned to normal operating condition following contractor or vendor work.

Maintain basic records of preventive maintenance, repairs, inspections, equipment service, and facility‑related work.

Respond to urgent facility issues and assist in troubleshooting equipment or building‑system failures.

Support facility moves, furniture installation, equipment relocation, deliveries, storage, and general space configuration.

Maintain appropriate tools, maintenance supplies, replacement parts, and facility inventories.

Support facility safety, housekeeping, emergency preparedness, and regulatory/compliance activities as required.

Perform other facilities and operational support duties as assigned.

General working knowledge of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

Demonstrated mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot common building and equipment problems.

Ability to safely use common hand tools, power tools, ladders, meters, and maintenance equipment.

Ability to read equipment manuals, basic drawings, specifications, and maintenance instructions.

Ability to interact effectively with employees, property management personnel, vendors, contractors, inspectors, and service technicians.

Ability to prioritize work independently and recognize conditions requiring immediate escalation.

Basic computer skills and ability to maintain maintenance and service documentation.

High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, trade, vocational, or associate degree training in building systems, facilities maintenance, HVAC, electrical, mechanical, or a related field preferred.

Prior experience in building maintenance, facilities operations, commercial property maintenance, building engineering, or a related field.

Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally between company facilities as needed.

Working Conditions/ Equipment

This is primarily an on‑site position supporting a combination of laboratory, office, storage, and building‑support spaces in Charlottesville, Virginia. The employee may occasionally encounter noise, temperature variations, mechanical equipment, laboratory environments, construction or maintenance activities, and other conditions typical of commercial and technical facilities.

The position may require occasional response outside normal business hours for urgent facility or equipment issues.

The position requires regular physical activity associated with facility maintenance and building operations, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing ladders, working in mechanical and utility spaces, and using hand and power tools.

Lift and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance.

Lift, move, or position items weighing up to 100 pounds with appropriate assistance or material‑handling equipment.

Safely use ladders and access equipment and building systems located above or below normal working height.

Work periodically in mechanical rooms, laboratories, storage areas, outdoor areas, and other facility environments.

Perform physical maintenance activities for reasonable periods throughout the workday.