SummaryThis position is responsible for leading the engineering and facilities operations for a multi-building, Class A office portfolio in Waltham, MA. The Chief Building Engineer oversees daily operations, maintenance, repairs, capital project support, vendor coordination, regulatory compliance, and team development to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and high-quality building operations.
The role partners closely with property management, asset management, finance/accounting, legal, EHS, construction, consultants, vendors, and other internal teams to support operational goals, budget management, tenant service, risk management, emergency preparedness, sustainability initiatives, and compliance with applicable HBRE/FM standards and regulatory requirements.
Schedule & LocationThis is an exempt, office-based position in Waltham, MA. Local travel to nearby HBRE/FM offices or properties may be required based on operational, project, training, or business needs.
Key Responsibilities- Oversee day-to-day operations, repair, maintenance, and replacement of mechanical, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, building controls, and other building systems across a Class A office portfolio.
- Lead, motivate, train, and develop engineering and facilities staff while addressing performance, operational, vendor, and contractor issues as needed.
- Manage building management systems, work order platforms, and preventative maintenance programs to support efficient operations, tenant service, risk management, and sustainability objectives.
- Engage and manage vendors, contractors, and consultants for MEP, life safety, site/grounds, capital project, emergency response, and other operational needs.
- Partner with property management, construction, EHS, FM engineering, HR, legal, finance/accounting, consultants, and vendors to support building operations, capital projects, regulatory compliance, and policy implementation.
- Assist with annual operating and capital budgets, quarterly reforecasts, maintenance and repair planning, expense management, and financial variance reporting.
- Review invoices, vendor contracts and payment requisitions for proper documentation in accordance with HBRE/FM accounts payable procedures.
- Support emergency preparedness, life-safety procedures, fire drills, environmental compliance, risk management, and related training for engineering and facilities staff.
- Participate in building capital and tenant improvement projects, including commissioning and transition of completed projects to daily operations.
QualificationsRequired Work Experience- 10+ years of related technical experience, including hands-on experience in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or similar trade work.
- 4+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
- Strong technical knowledge of MEP systems, HVAC, building automation systems, fire/life safety systems, and Class A commercial office building operations.
- Experience operating BMS systems and energy-saving software applications such as WellStat or comparable platforms.
- Experience managing technical operations, preventative maintenance, vendor coordination, tenant service, and regulatory compliance in a commercial office environment.
Required Skills- Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead, mentor, train, and develop building engineers and facilities staff.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to present projects, issues, and recommendations to tenants, senior management, vendors, and other stakeholders.
- Good writing skills to prepare recommendations, develop vendor contracts and preventative maintenance scopes of work, policy and procedures, and other similar types of documents.
- Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, resource coordination, quality control, and follow-through to completion.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess issues, develop solutions, and adjust priorities as business needs evolve.
- Ability to balance day-to-day operational requirements with broader property goals, budget constraints, tenant service expectations, risk management, and sustainability objectives.
- Ability to work collaboratively with property management, accounting, construction, legal, EHS, vendors, consultants, and other internal teams.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Yardi, building work order software, and related operating platforms.
- Ability to read and understand blueprints.
Highly Preferred Skills- Building Engines / Prism experience and/or proficiency with other similar work order systems.
- Automated Logic Control experience and/or proficiency with other similar building controls systems.
- Life science building experience, including familiarity with laboratory environments, clean rooms, biosafety levels, and related building systems or facilities operations.
- Familiarity with BOMA 360 and TOBY programs and requirements for participation.
- Business acumen and understanding of business administration or project management principles.
- Adaptability to new technologies and changing regulatory environments.
Required Education- Associate's degree or equivalent certification from a technical school.
Preferred Education / Certifications- Bachelor's degree.
- Universal CFC Certification.
- Additional certifications in one or more of the following: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building controls, fire/life safety systems, carpentry, and/or construction supervision.
The hiring range for this position is $121,000 to $173,000 annually. Final offers are based on factors such as geographic location, education, skills, and experience. This role is eligible for FM's Total Rewards program, including an incentive plan, health and well-being programs, 401(k) and pension, career development and tuition reimbursement, and time off.
