Engineer

Esrtreit; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Local 94 Benefits

Job summary

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. in New York seeks an Engineer to support the Engineering team with mechanical operations, plumbing, and energy management to maximize building value.

The role includes supervising contractors, coordinating fire life safety duties, and maintaining equipment for reliable HVAC performance in a Class A office building. You will work closely with property management, monitor BMS alarms, and perform routine inspections to prevent downtime while ensuring safety and

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in building engineering with 1–2 years in an engineering role with administrative duties.
• Experience operating large tonnage chillers and related equipment.
• FDNY-approved Fire Life Safety responsibilities or verification

Responsibilities

• Perform Fire Life Safety Director duties and coordinate with vendors and FDNY forms.
• Supervise contractors and after-hours work.
• Assist in standpipe/sprinkler and fire alarm isolation and testing.
• Conduct repairs and overhauls of equipment to maximize performance.
• Monitor and optimize HVAC systems, BMS alarms, and logs.
• Maintain maintenance records and inventory, and implement efficiency improvements.

Skills

Chiller operation

Blueprint reading

Emergency response

HVAC systems

Maintenance planning

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

EPA CFC Certification

Refrigeration/Operator’s License

Fire Life Safety Director License

Standpipe & Sprinkler Certifications

Fireguard/Torch Certification

Air Compressor Certification

Job description

COMPANY SUMMARY

Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observation Deck, ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fifth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of March 31, 2026, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 8.0 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and LinkedIn. The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified Great Place to Work by the global authority, Great Place to Work, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.

POSITION SUMMARY

ESRT is seeking an Engineer to assist the Engineering team in the implementation of all mechanical operations, plumbing, and energy management programs according to building management standards and property operating objectives to maximize the value of the building.

• Perform all duties of FLSD (Fire Life Safety Director) including, Fire Brigade duties, working with vendors taking systems off then online for construction, filling out all required FDNY forms and logs, afterhours FDNY inspections, Siemens repairs, etc.
• Supervision of Contractors including scheduled after-hours work
• Assist Contractors in all standpipe/sprinkler and/or fire alarm isolation, testing, etc.
• Conduct repairs and overhauls of equipment and systems to ensure optimal performance and extend lifespan
• Take amp readings to diagnose electrical issues and optimize system performance
• Replace belts and motors as needed to ensure equipment reliability and efficiency
• Change filters and perform routine maintenance tasks to prevent equipment downtime
• Troubleshoot units to identify and resolve issues quickly and effectively
• Replace pumps and other equipment components as needed
• Perform routine inspections and maintenance to identify potential issues before they become major problems
• Collaborate with property management team to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, including work orders and inventory management
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement changes to increase efficiency and reduce costs
• Building equipment shutdowns, as needed
• Monitor BMS system for alarms and errors, take corrective action as needed.
• Completion of house calls as needed, including repairs reported after hours by custodial, security staff, etc.
• Respond promptly to all calls from operations requiring engineering assistance. (i.e. leaks, odors, windows, dangerous conditions, etc.) & enter in log
• Perform scheduled inspections of sprinkler and standpipe system.
• Perform monthly Fire Extinguisher maintenance / Standpipe/ Sprinkler logs. (NFPA required)
• Perform routine building maintenance, preventative maintenance, and/or scheduled work and repairs on any/all equipment as directed by the Chief Engineer
• Perform daily building inspections/ rounds of mechanical equipment rooms; repairs as needed.
• Cooling Tower inspections and water testing as needed.
• Responsible for seasonal monitoring and operation of building HVAC Systems:
• Winter – heating system settings including winter freeze protection rounds as needed and Normal rounds (steam).
• Summer – Logging and shut down of equipment for evening including chillers/pumps/fans + normal rounds.
• Logging any abnormal conditions (i.e. lighting, carpentry, engineering, etc.) that needs to be directed to staff in am.
• Alert night porters of any cleaning that can be addressed.
• Common area work such as Corridors, bathrooms, stairways, etc...
• Work assignments as needed.
• Carries out other duties as assigned by the Director of Engineering, The General Manager and/or the Assistant Chief Engineer.
• You are a highly motivated individual with a passion for engineering, who possesses the necessary skills needed in this role. You are an executer and can keep the Chief engineer updated on a daily basis. You are able to execute maintenance, repairs and engineering tasks in a proactive manner without specific direction from your supervisor. You have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate with both tenants and colleagues. You are organized and able to keep track of any issues that need to be fixed such as tenant or mechanical issues. You are punctual and prioritize attendance as a key component of the job.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• 5+ years of experience with at least 1-2 years as an Engineer with administrative duties and/or other related experience in a Class “A” office building
• Experienced running large tonnage chillers and all related equipment.
• Experience as member of Fire Brigade and able to prove past service via notarized forms from previous employer in order for FDNY to issue FLSD
• Highly motivated self‑starter with the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Experience reading blueprints
• Ability to work in an efficient manner and multi‑task with ease
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form
• Ability to maintain calm in emergency situations
• Ability to read manuals, safety rules, instructions in the use and maintenance of shop tools, equipment, methods and procedures in mechanical drawing and layout work
• Ability to write reports using proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar
• Ability to determine time, place, and sequence of operations or action to be taken on the basis of analysis of data and/or reports on events

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES

• Ability to visually inspect the building
• Ability to detect audible and/or visual emergency alarms
• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• EPA CFC Certification
• Refrigeration/Operator’s License (Q‑01)
• Fire Life Safety Director License (F‑89)
• Standpipe and Sprinkler certifications. (S‑12 and S‑14)
• Pesticide Applicator (7G)
• Fireguard/Torch (F‑60)
• Air Compressor (G‑35)

COMPANY CULTURE & SUCCESS FACTORS

• Adaptable – you are a self‑starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
• Dynamic – you are solutions‑oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll‑up‑your‑sleeves” attitude
• Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
• Positive – you possess a service‑oriented attitude with excellent follow through

Local 94 Benefits as per Collective Bargaining Agreement.

ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.