Assistant Chief Engineer

Cushman & Wakefield•San Diego, CA

10d•$47 - $55•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a highly hands on Assistant Chief Engineer role that requires the consistent and precise execution of daily work orders, facility inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive maintenance activities. The selected candidate will be responsible for performing both field-based technical functions and essential office-based administrative duties as part of their regular workload. Success in this role requires the ability to operate effectively within a fast paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining clear, timely, and professional communication with clients, vendors, and organizational leadership. Relevant and proven experience in laboratory and medical office building environments is mandatory for this position. The Assistant Chief Engineer is responsible for helping ensure the efficient operation, maintenance, repair, and reliability of all building systems, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, building automation, and general facility infrastructure within the assigned portfolio. This role requires the execution of maintenance and operational tasks designed to maximize equipment life, optimize system performance, and support uninterrupted facility operations. A Chief Engineer is assigned to and oversees the portfolio, providing leadership, technical guidance, operational oversight, and support for engineering activities. The Assistant Chief Engineer will work closely with the Chief Engineer and other engineering personnel to support daily operations, coordinate maintenance activities, and ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory and organizational requirements. In addition to technical responsibilities, this position will help mentor, train, and develop other engineers and maintenance personnel, sharing knowledge, reinforcing best practices, and fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement. The Assistant Chief Engineer is expected to lead by example, demonstrate strong technical competency, and contribute positively to the growth and success of the engineering team. The successful candidate must possess strong troubleshooting and repair capabilities across multiple trades involved in the operation of commercial facilities, including: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Building automation systems, Life safety systems, Lighting, Doors and hardware and other building infrastructure systems. The ability to independently diagnose equipment failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions is essential.

Requirements

5+ years of related trade experience in operating mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in a commercial property setting.
Relevant and proven experience in laboratory and medical office building environments.
Appropriate license/permit for trade as may be required (e.g., Journeyman or Master Electrician License, City Licenses, Operators License, Steam Engineers License).
Possess a valid “Universal” level certification for CFC and HFC based refrigerants (EPA Section 608).
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
Basic Computing Skills in Outlook, Excel & Word.
Experience in operation, maintenance and basic repair of HVAC, boilers, heaters, pumps, refrigerant systems, compressors, water systems, etc.
Knowledgeable in energy management systems, techniques and operations.
Thorough knowledge in all building systems operations, maintenance and repair.

Responsibilities

Perform daily work orders, facility inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive maintenance activities.
Perform field-based technical functions and office-based administrative duties.
Ensure the efficient operation, maintenance, repair, and reliability of all building systems (mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, building automation, general facility infrastructure).
Execute maintenance and operational tasks to maximize equipment life, optimize system performance, and support uninterrupted facility operations.
Support daily operations, coordinate maintenance activities, and ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Mentor, train, and develop other engineers and maintenance personnel.
Troubleshoot and repair HVAC, electrical, plumbing, building automation systems, life safety systems, lighting, doors and hardware, and other building infrastructure systems.
Independently diagnose equipment failures, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.