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.
$105K *
Champion optimal building operations by maintaining and repairing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance and efficiency while enhancing your skills i...
1 week ago
Manager, Preventative Maintenance
$90K - $110K *
Champion the Preventative Maintenance department by leading daily operations, ensuring contract compliance, and driving revenue growth. Oversee budgeting, team management, and strategic planning to ac...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Shape the future of heavy highway and bridge projects by leading onsite engineering efforts, managing teams, and ensuring compliance with construction schedules and standards while fostering collabora...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Lead engineering efforts on heavy highway and bridge projects, managing onsite activities, ensuring compliance with standards, and coordinating with teams to support project schedules and quality outc...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Drive project success by leading onsite engineering for Heavy Highway and bridge projects. Collaborate with teams to ensure compliance, manage resources, and deliver quality results while supporting o...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by managing large-scale construction projects, ensuring compliance with federal standards, and leveraging your design-build expertise to drive success in a dynamic environment...
1 week ago
$85K - $100K *
Drive maintenance excellence by leading a skilled team to ensure optimal plant operations, focusing on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement while collaborating with cross-functional teams an...
2 weeks ago
Electrical Engineer (Owner's Representative) - Semiconductor Facilities
$120K - $180K *
Unlock potential by providing electrical engineering support for facility projects, ensuring reliable operations in semiconductor environments. Collaborate with teams to deliver capital improvements a...
2 weeks ago
$81K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency by managing maintenance activities, overseeing equipment reliability, and ensuring safety compliance while mentoring a skilled maintena...
Reposted today
$81K - $105K *
Champion a team dedicated to enhancing equipment reliability and safety. Lead maintenance operations, manage budgets, and mentor staff while ensuring optimal functionality of production systems in a d...
2 weeks ago
Supervising Discipline Engineer, Structural
$160K - $180K *
Deliver innovative structural engineering solutions for power generation projects. Lead a dynamic team, manage project scopes, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality designs across various power f...
2 weeks ago
$158K - $197K *
Elevate your career by managing the Building Division's operations, overseeing inspections, permitting, and code enforcement. Lead a team to enhance productivity and customer service while ensuring co...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion project success by overseeing multiple initiatives, ensuring quality, profitability, and client satisfaction. Lead strategic planning and resource allocation while actively engaging in busine...
4 days ago
Superintendent/Construction Manager
$90K - $120K *
Transform the homebuilding process by leading construction from groundbreaking to final close. Ensure quality assurance, safety compliance, and foster strong relationships with trade partners and cust...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Superintendent/Construction Manager
$90K - $120K *
Drive the homebuilding process from groundbreaking to close, ensuring quality and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with teams and trade partners to meet schedules, uphold safety standards, and deliv...
2 weeks ago
Industrial Maintenance Supervisor
$82K - $96K *
Transform your career with a leadership role overseeing maintenance operations. Drive team performance in a safety-focused environment while ensuring efficient repairs and preventive maintenance on in...
6 days ago
Facilities and Maintenance Manager
$120K - $144K *
Transform facility operations by leading maintenance teams, ensuring equipment reliability, and managing vendor contracts. Drive safety and efficiency while overseeing preventive maintenance and compl...
1 week ago
$110K - $160K *
Drive excellence in project management for major MTO infrastructure projects, overseeing budgets, schedules, and quality standards while fostering strong relationships with clients and teams to ensure...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Unlock potential by managing construction activities for mechanical, electrical, and control systems, ensuring timely startup and quality standards while collaborating closely with subcontractors and...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $120K *
Champion facility operations by leading a diverse team to ensure safe, efficient management of multi-building infrastructure, including HVAC and maintenance services, while fostering strong customer r...
3 weeks ago
$83K - $93K *
Champion capital projects by managing equipment acquisitions, enhancing workflows, and developing innovative solutions. Collaborate with teams to ensure project delivery, while leveraging analytical i...
1 month ago
Project Engineer - Mission Critical
$80K - $95K *
Lead the charge in providing technical oversight for EPC and Design-Build projects, ensuring optimal engineering solutions and project execution. Collaborate with teams to navigate challenges and deli...
2 weeks ago
$115K - $125K *
Lead management of maintenance and improvement activities across a multi-building campus, ensuring efficient operations and strong collaboration with government leadership and Facility Managers to enh...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's committed to operational excellence, overseeing technical operations and maintenance for a federal courthouse. Lead a skilled team to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance whil...
Today
Regional Plan Check Manager (FT - Hybrid)
$161K - $191K *
Lead the charge in overseeing plan reviews across a designated region, managing a team to ensure compliance with building codes and regulations. Collaborate with clients and regulatory bodies to enhan...
4 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.