CHIEF ENGINEER

HPI Real Estate Services & Investments•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe, efficient operation and maintenance of assigned buildings and for maintaining the integrity and value of their physical assets. The role provides high-quality service to tenants and owners and combines hands-on facility operations, field supervision and inspection, office administration, and operational problem-solving. It requires technical expertise, accountability, independent judgment, and careful execution in critical environments. The Chief Engineer oversees building systems and maintenance programs, including fire and life safety, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, security, and critical equipment. The position manages or supports operating accounts, budgets, expenditure tracking, maintenance and repair contracts, energy use, and capital and replacement projects. It also supervises maintenance staff and contractors, coordinates work to reduce business disruption, and responds to emergencies and customer concerns. The role oversees more than 500,000 square feet and leads shift operations in a data center and/or critical-environment facility. The position includes an on-call rotation, after-hours emergency maintenance as required, limited travel, and transportation between properties when assigned. The employee must furnish a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance and, when applicable, a compliant personal vehicle.

Requirements

Two years of trade schooling in electrical system design, refrigeration, and/or HVAC.
More than five years of experience in commercial building operations, maintenance, and engineering, including support for critical-facility operations.
Electrical license, HVAC license, Boiler Operator Certificate, or other applicable credential as agreed upon for the duties.
EPA 608 Certification.
Knowledge of financial terms and principles sufficient to understand operating budgets and conduct basic financial analysis.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Outlook and intermediate skills with Excel and Word.
Ability to perform arithmetic using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule-based instructions in situations with limited standardization.
Ability to lift 50 pounds for installation and removal of equipment.
Ability to perform job duties in all weather conditions; regularly walk, talk, and/or hear; frequently stand, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and occasionally sit and reach.
Required vision abilities include close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Valid driver’s license and proof of insurance meeting minimum Texas requirements; must meet company insurability and driving requirements when using a company vehicle.
Must furnish a compliant personal vehicle and valid insurance if required to use a personal vehicle for transportation between properties.
Limited travel is required.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
Operating Engineers license (SMA) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Manage building operational accounts as required and assist with operating and capital budgets.
Estimate maintenance costs, evaluate alternatives, and monitor expenditures for contract services, maintenance, and building capital work.
Perform and supervise hands-on operations and maintenance work on facility systems and equipment in critical operating environments.
Analyze energy use and costs and initiate changes to reduce consumption.
Participate in determining maintenance and energy requirements for new buildings.
Create, implement, improve, and monitor preventive maintenance programs.
Assist in developing and maintaining building-specific maintenance and safety procedures and enforce compliance.
Inspect fire alarm, HVAC, plumbing, and other building systems to ensure equipment operates within design capabilities and provides prescribed environmental conditions.
Oversee fire/life safety, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, security, and other building systems; lead or directly operate and monitor critical and non-critical equipment.
Develop specifications and assist with solicitation and administration of maintenance and repair service contracts.
Apply scheduling and project-management principles to replacement programs; ensure deadlines, plans, and quality standards are met.
Assist with long-range building maintenance plans and standards, and maintain as-built drawings and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings and wiring diagrams.
Prepare records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
Consult with clients to schedule preventive maintenance and downtime to minimize business interruption and inconvenience.
Plan, organize, direct, assign, review, and evaluate the work of at least four employees.
Oversee building services and third-party contractors to ensure safe, compliant operation, maintenance, and modification of critical equipment.
Diagnose operational problems, consider alternatives, and implement effective solutions without close supervision.
Answer project-related questions; resolve problems, approve expenditures, handle complaints, and provide technical expertise.
Coordinate maintenance with outside contractors, tenant finish personnel, and engineers.
Provide technical guidance, on-the-job training, and support to maintenance technicians; lead shift operations and monitor assigned work.
Select, motivate, and evaluate staff and provide for their training and development.
Assist with developing and implementing section goals, objectives, policies, and work standards.
Participate in industry organizations and provide internal safety and development training.
Perform and report work in accordance with company, OSHA, and applicable health-code safety standards.
Follow up with vendors to ensure approved insurance requirements and documentation, including contracts.
Respond immediately to emergencies and customer concerns; perform after-hours emergency maintenance as required.
Follow company policies, operating procedures, work-order and preventive-maintenance systems, uniform policies, and safety requirements.
Participate in an on-call rotation with other team members.
Maintain required driver’s license and insurance documentation and comply with applicable driving and safety requirements when traveling between properties.