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.
$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
$85K - $120K *
Explore your potential by designing and optimizing electrical systems for solar and BESS projects. Deliver high-quality, code-compliant designs while collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance custo...
3 weeks ago
Platform Site Reliability Engineer
$165K *
Champion innovative solutions as a Platform Site Reliability Engineer, enhancing infrastructure, optimizing deployment pipelines, and ensuring system reliability, scalability, and security in collabor...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Consulting Engineer Physical Security
$107K - $150K *
Engage with clients to design and implement advanced Physical Security Systems. Collaborate with top engineers on complex projects, ensuring high-quality solutions and customer satisfaction while mana...
1 week ago
Senior Manager, Schedule & Sequencing
$120K - $145K *
Transform project execution by developing and optimizing schedules for data center construction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery, effective sequencing, and risk mitig...
2 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Schedule & Sequencing
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of project schedules for data center construction, optimizing timelines and resource allocation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient sequencing and risk mitigati...
2 weeks ago
Business Development Manager - Commercial & Industrial Power Distribution
$100K - $120K *
Engage your sales expertise to drive growth in the commercial and industrial sectors, cultivating relationships, and closing deals on power-distribution equipment while supporting customers across the...
3 weeks ago
Manager, Engineering, Managed Services – AIX, Unix & Linux
$126K - $177K *
Lead a dynamic Managed Services Engineering Team to enhance customer satisfaction, optimize operations, and drive continuous service improvement while fostering strong relationships with clients and p...
3 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Drive innovation by deploying and troubleshooting advanced IP networks in diverse environments. Collaborate with teams to integrate cutting-edge security technologies while ensuring seamless connectiv...
2 weeks ago
Central Engineering Team Manager
$110K - $130K *
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team, driving innovation and product development while ensuring quality and efficiency in facility design and technical support for sales initiatives...
1 week ago
Enterprise Account Executive (General Contractor)
$110K - $130K *
Drive transformative change in the construction industry by leveraging your General Contractor expertise to lead complex sales cycles and deliver innovative SaaS solutions that address customer pain p...
3 weeks ago
Senior Generator Systems Specialist
$110K - $130K *
Transform critical power systems by overseeing installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of backup generators in data centers, ensuring uninterrupted power supply and optimal uptime for mission-c...
3 weeks ago
Senior Director, Software Engineering
$145K - $190K *
Lead the charge in designing and optimizing scalable data pipelines using Azure, PySpark, and Airflow. Collaborate with teams to ensure data quality and performance while mentoring engineers and drivi...
1 week ago
Horizontal Engineer - Structural / Bridge
$100K - $130K *
Drive the design and analysis of transportation structures, ensuring compliance with AASHTO standards while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams on projects across Colorado and Arizona...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Elevate your career by designing and maintaining secure Azure cloud infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance processes, implement security practices, and optimize costs while supporting our c...
Today
$83K - $124K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, enhancing software delivery and operational stability for enterprise applications while collaborating with cross-functiona...
5 days ago
Field Service Technician (HVACR)
$90K - $125K *
Champion customer satisfaction by troubleshooting HVAC issues and promoting system enhancements while managing service execution with up to 70% travel. Build rapport with clients and ensure smooth ope...
4 weeks ago
$177K - $319K *
Lead the development and execution of commissioning plans for large-scale data centers across multiple campuses in the Americas. Drive best practices globally, manage vendor relationships, and ensure...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as a senior technical contributor, leading infrastructure design and implementation. Drive strategic decisions, mentor junior engineers, and enhance system performance in a dynam...
3 days ago
$90K - $100K *
Lead the enhancement of our business continuity program, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure operational readiness and effective response to disruptions. Drive training initiatives and...
5 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Architect solutions to enhance DevOps teams' security by managing pre-sales technical support, conducting product demos, and serving as a subject matter expert in CI/CD integrations and workflows. Eng...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Project Manager-MEP Building Automation Controls
$110K - $130K *
Partner with us to lead multiple real estate projects in financial services, managing planning, execution, and closeout with a focus on MEP systems and automation. Your strategic insight will drive su...
Reposted 5 days ago
Lead QA Engineer, Enterprise Platform
$120K - $145K *
Pioneer the development of secure platform capabilities for enterprise clients, collaborating across teams to define product scope, manage complex requirements, and ensure successful delivery in highl...
1 week ago
Senior Project Manager-MEP Building Automation Controls
$110K - $130K *
Manage and lead complex infrastructure projects for financial services clients, ensuring strategic objectives are met through effective planning, execution, and collaboration. Elevate your career in a...
6 days ago
Senior Project Manager-MEP Building Automation Controls
$110K - $130K *
Lead the execution of complex infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives while managing client relationships and project teams. Drive innovation in project delivery and enha...
6 days 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.