Senior Chief Engineer

cw; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CW is seeking a Senior Chief Engineer to provide senior-level leadership and oversight of all engineering and maintenance operations for a designated property, portfolio of buildings, or campus environment. You will lead staff to ensure safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance while partnering with the Director, Facilities on planning and asset performance.

The role emphasizes coordinating operations, staffing, vendors, and financial planning to support day-to-day activities and long-term

Qualifications

• Leadership and team development experience.
• Strong financial and budget management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering and maintenance staff, including hiring, training, development, and performance management.
• Oversee engineering operations for properties totaling 500,000+ square feet.
• Ensure services align with client expectations, CW policies, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Utilize CMMS and BI dashboards to manage work orders, preventive maintenance, and asset tracking.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

HVAC systems

Communication

Vendor management

Job description

Senior Chief Engineer

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.

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
• Vendo