Commercial Building Engineer

Meritus Property Group•Portland, OR

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Commercial Building Engineer is responsible for the oversight, maintenance, repair, and capital improvement planning of a portfolio of commercial properties, including office, retail, industrial, and mixed-use assets. This position provides leadership and technical expertise for building systems, manages maintenance personnel and contractors, oversees capital expenditure (CapEx) projects, and ensures properties are maintained in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner. The Building Engineer works closely with Property Management, Asset Management, vendors, tenants, and ownership groups to preserve asset value, maximize building performance, and provide exceptional tenant service.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED required.
Minimum five (5) years of commercial building maintenance or facilities management experience.
Minimum three (3) years of supervisory or management experience.
Strong understanding of: HVAC systems, Plumbing systems, Electrical systems, Building automation systems (BAS), Fire and life safety systems, Mechanical equipment, Commercial construction practices, Preventative maintenance planning.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, mechanical plans, specifications, and contracts.
Strong project management and budgeting skills.
Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.
Proficiency with property management software, CMMS/work order systems, and Microsoft Office.
Ability to manage multiple priorities across a commercial portfolio.
Strong knowledge of commercial property management operations and building systems.
Proficient in Yardi Voyager, including work orders, budgeting support, reporting, and maintenance tracking.
Experience utilizing building automation systems and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
Working knowledge of Oregon commercial building codes, OSHA regulations, fire/life safety requirements, and ADA compliance.
Ability to interpret operating budgets, capital plans, reserve studies, and maintenance expense trends.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively with tenants, associates, vendors, ownership groups, and clients.
Ability to lead maintenance teams across multiple commercial properties while maintaining consistent service standards.
Proven ability to prioritize competing demands while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to asset preservation and operational excellence.
Ability to walk properties, climb stairs and ladders, inspect rooftops and mechanical spaces.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
Ability to travel regularly between properties.

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Construction Management, or related field preferred.
Experience overseeing multiple commercial properties and capital improvement projects preferred.
EPA Universal Certification
OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
HVAC Certification
Building Operator Certification (BOC)
Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA)
Stationary Engineer License (where applicable)

Responsibilities

Oversee the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and repair of multiple commercial properties.
Ensure all building systems are operating efficiently, including: HVAC systems, Plumbing systems, Electrical systems, Fire and life safety systems, Building automation systems (BAS), Roofing systems, Elevators, Access control and security systems, Parking lots and exterior grounds, Common areas and tenant spaces.
Conduct routine inspections of buildings, mechanical rooms, rooftops, parking areas, and common spaces.
Develop and implement preventative maintenance programs across the portfolio.
Respond to building emergencies and coordinate emergency repairs.
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal building regulations.
Supervise Building Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, and contracted service providers.
Establish performance expectations and provide coaching, training, and development.
Conduct regular property visits to evaluate building conditions and team performance.
Assist with recruiting, onboarding, and retention of maintenance personnel.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, professionalism, and responsive tenant service.
Lead capital improvement projects from planning through completion.
Develop scopes of work, project budgets, bid packages, and schedules.
Solicit and evaluate contractor bids and vendor proposals.
Manage contractors and consultants to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
Oversee projects including: Roof replacements, Parking lot repairs and resurfacing, HVAC replacements and upgrades, Electrical infrastructure improvements, Building automation upgrades, Tenant Improvement (TI) projects, Exterior improvements, ADA accessibility improvements, Energy efficiency initiatives, Fire and life safety system upgrades.
Monitor project budgets and provide regular updates to ownership and management.
Assist with annual operating and capital budget preparation.
Monitor maintenance and capital expenditures to ensure cost control.
Identify opportunities to reduce operating expenses while maintaining building performance.
Analyze repair trends and recommend long-term replacement strategies.
Establish and maintain relationships with contractors, suppliers, and service providers.
Negotiate service agreements and maintenance contracts.
Monitor vendor performance and contract compliance.
Review and approve invoices and verify satisfactory completion of work.
Coordinate specialized contractors for HVAC, elevators, fire systems, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, janitorial services, and security systems.
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies.
Maintain compliance with applicable commercial building codes and fire/life safety requirements.
Conduct regular safety inspections and emergency preparedness reviews.
Maintain documentation for permits, inspections, warranties, maintenance records, and capital projects.
Assist with emergency response planning and disaster recovery efforts.
Participate in client, ownership, and asset management meetings to provide updates on building operations, maintenance initiatives, and capital projects.
Present maintenance performance metrics and project updates.
Build positive working relationships with commercial tenants.
Coordinate maintenance activities to minimize disruption to tenant operations.
Respond professionally to tenant concerns and service requests.
Work closely with Property Managers, Regional Managers, and Asset Managers to support operational performance and tenant satisfaction.
Assist with property acquisitions, transitions, due diligence inspections, and major renovation projects.
Provide recommendations regarding deferred maintenance, risk mitigation, sustainability initiatives, and long-term capital planning.