Union Chief Engineer - Local 39

CBRE Group, Inc.; San Jose, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Group, Inc. is seeking a Union Chief Engineer to lead critical facility operations on a tech campus in San Jose, CA.

This hands-on leadership role requires overseeing skilled engineering teams, ensuring world‑class uptime for complex building systems, and driving operational excellence. You will mentor staff, manage preventive maintenance programs, coordinate with clients, and respond to emergencies while aligning with CBRE RISE values.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or trade school diploma with 8-10 years of job‑related experience.
• Experience with critical utility systems supporting data center/critical utility operations: HVAC, Chilled Water, Clean Dry Air, Process Chilled Water, Vacuum, BMS/BAS/SCADA, Alarms, Lighting, & Electrical.
• Meet physical requirements including stooping, standing, lifting 50 lbs+.

Responsibilities

• Manage operations, assign work orders, and train coworkers and subcontractors.
• Consult with clients to schedule preventive maintenance and downtime to minimize business interruption.
• Formulate and implement preventive maintenance programs for building systems.

Skills

Union leadership

Facility operations

Data center operations

Supervisory experience

Problem solving

Mentorship

BMS/SCADA knowledge

HVAC systems

Education

High School Diploma / GED

Tools

BMS/BAS/SCADA

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the Role:

Ready to engineer the future?

CBRE is seeking a Union Chief Engineer to lead critical facility operations at the campus of one of the world's most innovative technology companies in San Jose, CA. This is a hands‑on leadership role where you'll oversee highly skilled engineering teams, ensure world‑class uptime for complex building systems, and drive operational excellence in a fast‑paced, cutting‑edge environment. If you're passionate about mentorship, problem‑solving, and maintaining mission‑critical infrastructure, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

This job is part of the Engineering and Technical Services job function. They are responsible for providing support, preventive maintenance, and repairs on equipment and systems.

What You'll Do:

• Manage operations, assign work orders, and provide technical and procedural training of coworkers and subcontractors.


• Consult with clients to schedule preventive maintenance and other downtime to cut business interruption and inconvenience.


• Formulate and implement a preventive maintenance program to ensure that building machinery and systems meet or exceed their rated life.


• Monitor building systems including fire alarms, HVAC, and plumbing to ensure the operation of equipment is within design capabilities and achieves environmental conditions prescribed by the client.


• Oversee and inspect the work performed by engineering staff.


• Confirm that work is complete, equipment is fully functional and client space is in prime working condition.


• Respond to emergency situations, summoning additional assistance as needed.


• Apply extensive and diversified knowledge of principles, advanced techniques, and theories to create unprecedented solutions.


• Showcase in-depth expertise in cutting‑edge theories, techniques, and/or technologies within own function.


• Use experience and knowledge of all job areas within a function, practical experience in several functional areas or businesses, or concentrated knowledge of a particular discipline to coach and guide others.


• Lead by example and model behaviors that are consistent with CBRE RISE values. Negotiate with senior management, customers, regulators, or vendors to influence decisions of strategic importance.


• Anticipate potential objections, and persuade others, often at senior levels and of divergent interest, to adopt a different point of view.


• Drive the direction and resource allocation for programs, projects, or services.


• Significantly impact the design of policies and procedures. Provide moderate impact on the business direction through the development of innovative services or products.

What You'll Need:

• High School Diploma, GED, or trade school diploma with 8-10 years of job‑related experience. In lieu of a diploma, a combination of experience and education will be considered. Prior shift manager or supervisory experience preferred.


• Experience with critical utility systems supporting data center / critical utility operations: HVAC, Chilled Water, Clean Dry Air, Process Chilled Water, Vacuum, BMS/BAS/SCADA, Alarms, Lighting, & Electrical.


• Specific data center or supercomputer processes and utility systems for server rack systems, shaker tables, specialty lab support, preferred.


• Meet the physical requirements of this role including stooping, standing, walking, climbing stairs/ladders, and the ability to lift/carry heavy loads of 50 lbs. or more.


• Multi‑dimensional, conceptual, and innovative thinking to develop new solutions.


• Ability to identify and solves the most complex problems.


• In‑depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.


• Expert organizational skills with an unrivaled inquisitive mindset.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Why CBRE?:

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward‑thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

AI Use Disclosure

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills, and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.