Chief Building Engineers (CBEs) lead the systems and teams that keep commercial buildings safe, efficient, and operational. They oversee building operations, maintenance programs, capital improvements, and regulatory compliance across offices, hospitals, campuses, hotels, and other complex properties. Explore vetted Chief Building Engineer opportunities on Ladders, including roles with compensation of $100,000 or more.
A CBE manages the performance of a property's core infrastructure, which may include HVAC, electrical distribution, plumbing, fire and life-safety systems, elevators, and building automation. Responsibilities often include supervising engineers and technicians, coordinating vendors, setting preventive maintenance schedules, responding to emergencies, and tracking operating budgets. The role combines technical expertise with leadership, planning, and communication.
Employers commonly seek extensive building operations or facilities experience, strong knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, and a record of leading maintenance teams. Depending on the property and employer, useful qualifications may include a degree or technical training in engineering, facilities management, or a related field; relevant licenses or certifications; familiarity with building automation systems; and knowledge of safety codes and environmental requirements. Requirements vary by position.
Chief Building Engineer compensation varies based on location, property type, building complexity, experience, and scope of responsibility. Senior roles may include oversight of multiple properties, large teams, major capital projects, or energy-efficiency initiatives. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, helping experienced candidates discover senior building engineering and facilities leadership roles.
Search CBE openings to compare responsibilities, qualifications, and compensation. Keep your resume current with examples of system reliability improvements, cost control, successful projects, team leadership, and compliance outcomes. Consider related titles such as Chief Engineer, Building Operations Manager, Facilities Director, and Director of Engineering when exploring your next move.
Senior Plumbing Engineer/Designer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
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Senior Plumbing Engineer/Designer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$110K - $130K *
Lead innovative plumbing design for hyperscale data centers, ensuring high-quality solutions and collaboration with stakeholders. Drive project success through technical expertise and effective commun...
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Senior Plumbing Engineer/Designer, Data Centers - Remote (U.S.)
$110K - $130K *
Innovate plumbing systems for hyperscale data centers, leading design efforts and collaborating with engineers. Drive technical solutions, ensure quality control, and manage project budgets while work...
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Lead the charge in overseeing rebar project execution from setup to completion, ensuring effective contract management, coordination, and communication with customers and project teams to deliver succ...
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Lead project teams to deliver high-quality results on time and within budget. Manage multiple projects simultaneously, drive communication, and ensure customer satisfaction while mitigating risks and...
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$70K - $117K *
Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in structural engineering to ensure the integrity and safety of marine vessels. Collaborate with a dynamic team to support critical naval operations and e...
1 week ago
Senior Transaction Manager - Industrial
$135K - $170K *
Lead the charge in managing complex real estate transactions, collaborating with brokerage teams to secure optimal deal terms while developing strategic plans that align with client goals and drive op...
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$110K - $130K *
Drive the design and enhancement of corporate security infrastructure, improving automation and maintaining strong security posture in a cloud environment. Collaborate with teams to implement controls...
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Business Development Manager (CTS Database)
$100K - $120K *
Shape the future of clinical trials by driving business development initiatives, identifying opportunities with sponsors and CROs, and promoting CTSdatabase's services to enhance growth and profitabil...
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$88K - $163K *
Transform the future of C4I modernization by shaping system architecture and capabilities. Collaborate with an international team to define requirements, develop documentation, and ensure alignment wi...
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Empower your career by joining a dynamic team as you manage project documentation, coordinate timelines, and drive innovative solutions while fostering a collaborative environment and mentoring others...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, CNC Technical Solutions
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Play a key role in providing advanced technical support for CNC systems, optimizing performance, and collaborating with teams to enhance automation solutions. Engage with customers and partners to res...
4 days ago
Forward Deployed Engineer (Principal)
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Unlock potential by serving as a key technical leader, bridging engineering and enterprise architecture to eliminate adoption friction and enhance cloud-native infrastructure and AI platform deploymen...
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Senior Program Engineer, IT Services & Cloud Operations
$120K - $150K *
Drive complex federal platform initiatives, enhancing security, compliance, and infrastructure through innovative engineering solutions and cross-functional leadership...
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Endpoint Engineer (Journeyman)
$88K - $105K *
Advance endpoint capabilities by developing, deploying, and supporting secure, standardized solutions for physical and virtual environments, ensuring operational readiness and compliance across divers...
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Senior Technical Support Engineer
$120K - $137K *
Empower customers as a Senior Technical Support Engineer, solving complex technical issues with modern tools while enhancing user experience, collaborating with engineering, and shaping innovative sup...
3 weeks ago
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Drive your career with a dynamic role focused on sales growth and dealer management in the heavy equipment sector. Leverage your expertise to nurture relationships, improve sales pipelines, and delive...
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CDO-L Study Lead Engineer (REMOTE)
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Drive the advancement of enterprise Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) capabilities in contested environments, leading technical studies and architectural development to enhance operat...
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6 days ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Lead the charge in creating cutting-edge embedded software solutions for autonomous mobile robotics. Drive technical excellence, oversee collaborative engineering efforts, and ensure high reliability...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineering Lead, NA
$175K - $190K *
Explore strategic leadership in mechanical engineering, guiding a team of experts to innovate and deliver top-tier data center solutions. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape engineering standards...
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VP, Engineering, Network Observability
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Unlock potential by leading engineering for a data-intensive network observability platform, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on customer experience and business goals while...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of IT capacity management by ensuring resources meet business demand in a regulated environment. Collaborate with teams to optimize performance, manage risks, and align strategies for...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
What is a Chief Building Engineer?
A Chief Building Engineer leads the operation and maintenance of a building's critical systems and typically supervises engineering or maintenance staff. The role may cover HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life-safety, and building automation systems.
What qualifications are required for Chief Building Engineer jobs?
Requirements vary by employer and property. Many positions call for significant building operations experience, technical knowledge of building systems, team leadership skills, and relevant licenses, certifications, or education.
How much do Chief Building Engineers earn?
Pay depends on location, experience, property type, and the size and complexity of the operation. Ladders lists vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including eligible senior building engineering opportunities.
Where do Chief Building Engineers work?
Chief Building Engineers work in settings with complex facilities, such as commercial office buildings, hospitals, hotels, universities, industrial properties, and large residential or mixed-use developments.
What is the difference between a Chief Building Engineer and a Facilities Manager?
The titles can overlap, but a Chief Building Engineer often focuses more directly on technical building systems and engineering teams. A Facilities Manager may have broader responsibility for services, space, vendors, budgets, and workplace operations.