Chief Building Engineer/Director

Real Estate & Construction
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field.
  • 10+ years of facilities engineering and construction project management experience, with 5+ years in senior leadership roles.
  • Expertise in large-scale HVAC, electrical, and life safety systems maintenance in critical operations environments.
  • Proven track record managing complex $5M+ construction projects and capital improvement programs.
  • Strong knowledge of local building codes, energy codes, and OSHA standards.
  • Exceptional leadership and communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Proficient in Building Automation Systems (BAS), CMMS, and project management software.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee daily operation and maintenance of critical building systems.
  • Lead and mentor engineering and maintenance teams for safety and performance.
  • Manage facility maintenance budget and implement efficiency initiatives.
  • Maintain relationships and contracts with third-party vendors and contractors.
  • Implement systems optimization and preventative maintenance programs.
  • Coordinate long-term capital improvement program execution for infrastructure and construction.
  • Serve as communication liaison between various teams to ensure project alignment.

Benefits

  • Health and wellness programs.
  • Paid time off and holidays.
  • Retirement savings plan options.
  • Employee training and development opportunities.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a highly experienced and motivated individual to lead the outsourced Studio Facilities dual role of Chief Building Engineer and Program/Project Manager for our expansive studio campus. This critical leadership position will work closely with on site Manager, Site & Services, Studio Management but ultimately responsible for the oversight of overall mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) operations, maintenance, and coordinating along with the internal teams responsible for capital improvement planning of all facilities, infrastructure, and construction programs and projects across the site. The ideal candidate possesses a deep technical background in building systems engineering, a proven track record in project and program management within a complex operational environment, and exceptional leadership and communication skills.

$64.50 - $64.50 an hour
Responsibilities

Chief Building Engineer (CBE)
  • Facilities Operations & Maintenance: Oversee all aspects of the daily operation,
    maintenance, and repair of critical building systems, including HVAC, electrical
    distribution, emergency power systems, plumbing, fire/life safety, and building
    automation systems (BAS).
  • Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and coordinate with the local and or 3rd party teams of
    engineers, technicians, and maintenance staff, ensuring high performance, technical
    proficiency, and adherence to safety protocols.
  • Budget Management: Help develop, manage, and monitor the annual operating budget
    for facility maintenance, utilities, and minor capital repairs. Implement cost-saving
    initiatives related to energy consumption and operational efficiency.
    Compliance & Safety: Ensure all building systems and operations comply with local,
    state, and federal codes, regulations, and studio environmental, health, and safety
    (EHS) standards. Oversee comprehensive fire/life safety programs and emergency
    preparedness.
  • Vendor & Contractor Management: Manage relationships, contracts, and performance
    of third-party vendors and contractors providing specialized maintenance services or
    system repairs.
  • System Optimization: Implement preventative maintenance programs and continuously
    evaluate building systems for opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, and
    sustainability (e.g., energy retrofits, water conservation).
Program/Project Manager (PPM)
  • Capital Planning & Execution: Help develop and coordinate with the in-house teams
    (including SMS capital and Program Delivery individuals) responsible for managing the
    execution of the studio's long-term capital improvement program, focusing on
    infrastructure upgrades, system replacements, and new facility construction projects.
  • Project Management Lifecycle: Coordinate with Teams and/or lead complex
    construction and infrastructure projects from inception through closeout, including scope
    definition, budgeting, scheduling, risk management, and quality control.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Serve as the primary liaison between
    Facilities/Engineering, studio production teams, executive leadership, finance, and
    external architects/engineers/contractors. Ensure clear and consistent communication
    regarding project status, milestones, and impacts.
  • Program Governance: Establish and maintain program management standards,
    documentation, and reporting protocols to ensure all projects align with strategic
    business goals and are delivered on time and within budget.
  • Design Review: Review and approve engineering designs, specifications, and
    construction documents to ensure constructability, adherence to building standards, and
    long-term operational efficiency.
  • Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify potential project and operational risks and develop
    mitigation strategies.


Qualifications

Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering,
    Facilities Management, or a related field.
  • Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in facilities engineering, building
    systems maintenance, and/or construction project management, with at least 5 years in
    a senior leadership or management role.
  • Demonstrated expertise in the operation and maintenance of large-scale commercial
    HVAC, electrical, and life safety systems, preferably within a campus or critical
    operations environment (e.g., studio, hospital, data center).
  • Proven experience managing complex construction projects ($5M+ budget) and capital
    improvement programs.
  • Strong understanding of local building codes, energy codes, and OSHA safety
    standards.
  • Excellent leadership, team-building, and communication (written and verbal) skills.
  • Proficiency with Building Automation Systems (BAS), CMMS (Computerized
  • Maintenance Management Systems), and project management software.
  • Proficiency with project management software (e.g., Google Suite, Asana, Primavera
    P6).
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and time management skills.
  • Ability to read and interpret construction documents, blueprints, and technical
    specifications.


Preferred
  • Professional Engineering (PE) license or relevant certifications (e.g., CFM, FMP, PMP,
    LEED AP).
  • Experience in the media, entertainment, or production studio environment,
    understanding the unique demands of filming and production schedules.
  • Direct experience with sustainable building practices and energy efficiency initiatives.


Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

  • Critical System Uptime = >99.9%
  • Annual Facilities Operating Budget Variance =
  • Capital Project Delivery (On-Time/On-Budget) = 90%
  • Energy Consumption Reduction (Y-o-Y) = 2% minimum
  • Preventative Maintenance (PM) Completion Rate = >95%


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