Senior Chief Engineer

Cushman & Wakefield; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision, Dental Insurance

Competitive compensation

Job summary

Cushman & Wakefield in McLean, VA, is seeking a Senior Chief Engineer to lead engineering and maintenance across properties totaling 500,000 square feet or more. You will oversee operations, staff development, and capital planning, ensuring safety, compliance, and asset performance.

You will partner with facilities leadership to optimize energy usage, coordinate vendor contracts, and maintain reliable building systems. Strong supervisory and budget skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience with significant supervisory responsibility in a commercial property environment
• Experience operating, installing, and maintaining building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, controls)
• Proficiency with CMMS for work order management and preventive maintenance

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision of engineering and maintenance staff, including hiring, training, development, and performance management
• Oversee engineering operations for properties totaling 500,000 square feet or more
• Ensure all services are delivered in alignment with client expectations, Cushman & Wakefield policies, and regulatory requirements
• Utilize CMMS and other platforms to manage work orders, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking; monitor trends with data analysis and BI dashboards
• Lead preventive maintenance programs, life safety plans, and capital project coordination
• Assist in operating budgets and capital budget programs with cost estimates and analytics
• Coordinate career development and performance evaluations for engineering staff
• Oversee building systems including fire/life safety, HVAC, electrical, plumbing; stay current on trends
• Develop specifications and manage maintenance contracts; support client projects and tenant improvements

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

CMMS

Team development

HVAC systems

Electrical systems

Plumbing systems

Energy audits

Data analysis

Vendor management

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

MS Teams

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Word

Job description

Job Description Summary

The purpose of this position is to provide senior-level leadership and oversight of all engineering and maintenance operations for a designated property, portfolio of buildings, or campus environment. The Senior Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all building systems and infrastructure, while leading and developing engineering staff to ensure operational excellence.

Job Title

Senior Chief Engineer

Job Description

This role partners closely with the Director, Facilities to support client and customer satisfaction, mitigate risk, participate in strategic planning, and ensure equipment uptime and long-term asset performance. The Senior Chief Engineer coordinates technical operations, staffing, vendors, and financial planning to support both day-to-day building operations and long-term capital and lifecycle strategies.

Key Relationships

• External relationships: this role will interact with the client, client staff, and other client vendors.
• Internal relationships: this role will interact with direct reports, internal service lines (SPO, P&P, Lease Admin, Technology, Procurement, Finance, etc.) along with other Facility Managers and Facility Coordinators.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and supervision of engineering and maintenance staff, including hiring, training, development, and performance management
• Oversee engineering operations for properties totaling 500,000 square feet or more
• Ensure all services are delivered in alignment with client expectations, C&W policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Utilize CMMS and other C&W/client platforms to manage work orders, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking. Monitor trends through data analysis, regular usage of BI dashboards, and reporting.
• Conduct and assist with inspections, surveys, and technical assessments, including energy audits, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, environmental compliance, and ADA requirements
• Supervise and review technical operations, energy audits, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems, environmental and ADA compliance, acquisitions, and third-party surveys
• Lead the development and execution of preventive maintenance programs, engineering procedures, fire safety and emergency action plans, life safety programs, water quality control (where required), and indoor air quality initiatives alongside team of Facility Managers.
• Assist in the development of operating budgets by providing cost estimates and analysis related to service contracts, repairs and maintenance (R&M), utilities, supplies, life safety programs, and EPA and OSHA compliance
• Assist in the development of the Capital Budget Program, including short- and long-term planning, forecasting, and analytics
• Coordinate and track career development for engineering staff and conduct or assist with mid-year and annual performance evaluations
• Oversee all building systems, including fire/life safety, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems; remain current on HVAC technology trends and preventive and predictive maintenance methodologies
• Participate in OAC meetings for new tenant fit outs and upcoming decommissionings ensuring that our asset inventory is always up to date with decommissioned equipment removed and all new equipment tagged and assigned a PM schedule in line with industry best practice.
• Assist Facility Managers with the review of construction documents
• Participate in and lead engineering content in meetings with our client, customers, and/or key stakeholders
• Develop specifications and assist with the solicitation, negotiation, and administration of maintenance and repair service contracts
• Support marketing presentations, acquisition and disposition processes, and coordination of building equipment and services related to tenant construction projects
• Ensure compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, government agency requirements, and company directives related to building operations

Capital Projects and Rehabilitation Support

• Support the Facility Manager(s) with major rehabilitation projects, including HVAC replacement, roof installations, plumbing repairs, and building system upgrades
• Partner with project team to budget estimates
• Develop project schedules and manage progress
• Assist with preparation of contract documents defining scope of work
• Partner with procurement team to oversee the competitive bidding process
• Monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with contract documents
• Partner with project team to ensure complete project documentation, including schedules, approvals, financial records, and contracts
• Participate in final inspections, manage punch list items, and ensure timely corrective actions

Key Competencies

• Communication Proficiency (oral and written)
• Technical and Operational Expertise
• Interpersonal Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking
• Leadership and Team Development
• Financial and Budget Management
• Vendor and Relationship Management
• Strategic Planning and Execution

Important Education

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Important Experience

• 10+ years of engineering experience with significant supervisory responsibility in a commercial property environment
• Demonstrated experience in the operation, installation, and maintenance of building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, and control systems

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Vocational or technical training certificate preferred
• Appropriate trade license or permit as required (e.g., Journeyman or Master Electrician, city licenses)
• Universal Technician certification for CFCs, as required by market or regulatory standards, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Knowledge of applicable engineering practices, project controls, and environmental regulations
• Familiarity with Energy Management Systems (EMS), fire alarm systems, and Building Management Systems
• Proficiency in staff scheduling, after-hours coverage coordination, preventive maintenance planning, and prioritization of urgent needs
• Working knowledge of property management financial reporting, including R&M, utility, and capital expenses, with the ability to explain variances
• Moderate-level computer skills, including Teams, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
• Extensive experience working with a CMMS for work order management and preventive maintenance

Physical Work Requirements

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be submitted to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions:

Environment: This job operates in a professional office or commercial building environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Work could include unusual elements such as extreme temperatures, toxic chemicals, biohazardous materials, dirt, dust, fumes, smoke, and/or loud noises.

Ability to perform work wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required. May require regular travel outside between properties in varying weather conditions.

Physical: Considerable physical activity may be required. Ability to squat, stand, climb, and lift a up to 50 lbs. of equipment. The employee may also be regularly required to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, extend hands and arms freely in any direction, and drive for extended periods between various assigned client locations. Should maintain the ability to speak and articulate clearly and possess the ability to read, write, and understand information presented both orally and in writing.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents. Regularly required to utilize vision abilities, allowing reading of printed material, drawings, and schematics.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Scheduling

Most schedules work typical business hours based on location assigned. Based on client need, they may be required to work extended periods of time without relief when responding to priority/emergency situations (including overtime type assignments); may require shift work and/or on‑call duties and overtime. Must be willing and able to support after‑hours/weekends building‑related activity as required. The role may be assigned and must be able to respond to client callbacks for regular repair and/or emergencies events.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

C&W provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Further, C&W takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed and employees during employment are treated without regard to any of these characteristics. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Benefits and Compensation

Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.

The compensation for the position is: $ 102,000.00 - $120,000.00

Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity employer to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email [e-mail]. Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.

INCO: “Cushman & Wakefield”