System Optimization Department Manager

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 142,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Medical, dental, vision coverage

401k with company match

Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays

Disability insurance

Job summary

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions in Seattle seeks an System Optimization Department Manager to lead a high-performing team, drive departmental goals, and partner with multiple functions to ensure project success. The role emphasizes leadership, process improvement, and delivering client-focused outcomes.

You will guide engineering, operations, and service teams, promote safety and continuous learning, and manage budgets while expanding operations across the Northwest.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, construction management, management science, or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of project management or operational leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and building management/automation.
• Experience with Microsoft 365, Procore, and common industry software.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team with clear expectations and accountability.
• Mentor and develop technical talent and future leaders.
• Foster a culture built on collaboration, safety, continuous learning, integrity and excellence.
• Develop and execute departmental goals aligned with company objectives.
• Manage budgets, staffing, KPIs, and financial performance.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve handoffs and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Self-motivation

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Construction-related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

Procore

Job description

At MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions (MacMiller) we make buildings work better. As the Northwest's leading mechanical contracting firm, we design, deliver and service HVAC, plumbing and automation system solutions for commercial buildings. With our over 1,600 employees across 14 offices, there is a breadth and variety of work to keep you engaged and inspired.

We enjoy a well-respected history of exceeding our customers' expectations and executing with distinction. Our clients trust their toughest projects with our integrated teams, including:

• New construction - Engineering, fabrication and install of mechanical systems for new projects following lean construction practices
• Special projects - Retrofits and mechanical repairs for existing buildings for new efficiencies
• Service - scheduled preventative maintenance ensuring tenant comfort, and 24/7 emergency response
• Building performance - Control systems, fault detection, energy services and remote monitoring
• Energy & Sustainable Solutions: Acting as the Prime Contractor, we deliver design-build energy-efficient solutions in the built environment for private and public sector clients

People love to work at MacDonald-Miller, and it's because we all share the same Core Culture Values:

• Collaboration - Diverse players, one team, a common vision. Collaboration is our foundation and critical to the success of the company. Every team member is valued and brings a diversity of strengths to help us meet our common vision
• Dedication - We are dedicated to personal and professional excellence. We execute with distinction by doing the right thing and following through on our commitments
• Safety - Everyone deserves a safe workplace. Safety is more than hardhats and boots, it's an attitude and the environment we create. Every day, everyone goes home to their families
• Community - We are proud to be part of MacDonald-Miller. We actively seek to build relationships and know each other as individuals. Together we create an environment that is welcoming, caring, and trusting
• Innovation - We are committed to continuous, creative problem solving. Innovation is how we stay an industry leader. We always strive to challenge and better ourselves
• Fun! - Take the work seriously, but never taking ourselves too seriously. It's possible to be both serious professionals and good-natured people you enjoy working with. We strive to be both

Requirements

System Optimization Department Manager

This is where you come in.

Top Deliverables in Your First Year

Department Leadership & Culture

• Lead and develop a high-performing team by setting clear expectations, balancing workloads, coaching performance, and building a culture of accountability and support
• Develop technical talent and future leaders through mentoring, training, feedback, delegation, and succession planning
• Foster a culture built on trust, collaboration, safety, continuous learning, empowerment, integrity, and excellence

Strategy, Growth & Organizational Readiness

• Develop and execute departmental goals, strategies, and operating plans aligned with company objectives
• Anticipate future market, technology, staffing, organizational, and geographic needs and prepare the department for long-term growth
• Translate complex challenges into clear, actionable workstreams with defined ownership and measurable outcomes
• Support expansion of the business across Washington, Oregon, and future markets

Quality Control, Commissioning & Technical Standards

• Own and continuously improve company QA/QC standards, tools, processes, checklists, and training resources
• Provide leadership oversight for commissioning, system startup, controls coordination, balancing, testing, corrective action, and turnover
• Ensure systems perform as designed and meet contract requirements, sequences of operation, and company standards
• Leverage lessons learned from warranty, commissioning, TAB, field engineering, and project execution to prevent recurring issues

Operational & Financial Management

• Manage departmental budgets, staffing plans, resources, KPIs, and financial performance
• Monitor workload, capacity, productivity, quality, schedules, and financial results, taking corrective action when needed
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, standardize processes, and make the department easier for internal teams to engage
• Establish routine audits that provide meaningful feedback to project teams and leadership

Cross-Functional & Executive Partnership

• Serve as the primary liaison between the department, executive leadership, and Operations, Project Management, Engineering, Estimating, Sales, Controls, Service, Energy, Warranty, and field teams
• Improve interdepartmental handoffs, clarify accountability, and remove barriers impacting quality, schedule, cost, customer experience, or system performance
• Provide leadership with clear reporting on priorities, risks, performance, resources, and business needs
• Partner with Engineering, Estimating, and Sales to incorporate lessons learned into future project planning

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure departmental operations comply with applicable regulations, company policies, contractual requirements, and safety standards
• Promote safe planning and execution across jobsites, mechanical spaces, startup, testing, and commissioning activities
• Ensure issues are appropriately escalated, documented, assigned, corrected, and verified

Your Background: What kind of person will thrive in this role?

You should have:

• A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, construction management, management science, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5-10 years of project management or operational leadership experience, including experience leading mid-sized teams
• Proven success leading teams and building a strong company culture
• Strong knowledge of a broad range of mechanical systems, including VRF systems and central plants
• Working knowledge of building management and automation systems, including experience with BMS interfaces
• Experience with Microsoft 365, Procore, and other common industry software
• Strong financial, organizational, communication, coaching, and change-management skills
• The ability to break down complex problems into clear, actionable solutions
• A valid driver's license and acceptable driving record

And everyone you work with should describe you as:

• Highly collaborative with strong communication skills
• Passionate with a can-do attitude
• Self-motivated with strong initiative
• A top-tier problem solver

And you should be motivated by:

• The opportunity to influence company culture and build a high-performing technical organization
• Seeing major projects take shape and playing a key role in delivering successful outcomes
• Taking ownership of your learning and growth without requiring constant direction or micromanagement
• Thriving in a lean, results-driven environment where increased responsibility and continued growth are encouraged
• Working in a transparent, supportive environment that welcomes fresh ideas

Benefits

Compensation: Base salary of $142,000-$175,000 annually, plus a company-provided vehicle.

• Medical, dental, vision for employees(coverage available for dependents for shared premium).
• 401k retirement plan including Company matching.
• Vacation and Sick Compensation (PTO), and Holiday Pay!
• Disability income protection including short term and long-term disability.
• Employee and dependent life insurance.
• Wellness Program.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Where you will work

Our Seattle Pre-Fab Shop is located at 3701 South Norfolk St., Seattle, WA 98118.

MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.