Field Facilities Engineer

Hunt Military Communities•Norfolk, VA

1d•$90,000 - $104,000

About The Position

The Facilities Engineer applies advanced engineering knowledge and independent professional judgment to evaluate and optimize major building systems across an assigned portfolio of unaccompanied housing facilities, which may include residential high-rise buildings. This multi-site, portfolio-level role provides technical oversight, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and engineering support for major building systems, equipment, and infrastructure. It is not primarily a hands-on repair position. The engineer sets technical standards, verifies that systems are operated and maintained in compliance with applicable codes and contractual obligations, selects and manages specialty vendors, and serves as the senior technical resource and escalation point for on-site maintenance teams. The role uses engineering, data analytics, and reliability practices to optimize maintenance programs, control operating expense, extend asset life, maintain compliance, and improve the resident experience. The position supports maintenance-technician development and provides oversight of preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance across major systems. It directs advanced work and, rarely, performs work across multiple trades and building systems, including HVAC, plumbing, boilers, electrical distribution, emergency generators, building automation, heat pumps, cooling towers, roofing, structural components, elevators, and fire protection. The engineer manages inspection, testing, maintenance, modernization, and compliance programs for life-safety systems, elevators, boilers, and heating and cooling systems; coordinates vendors and third-party inspections; investigates system failures and recurring issues; and recommends corrective actions, upgrades, replacements, and modernization initiatives. The role also contributes to asset inventories, capital planning, budgeting, and renovation or capital improvement projects. It develops technical specifications and scopes of work, performs cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses, and supports project planning and execution. The engineer collects and analyzes operational, maintenance, financial, and safety data; develops dashboards and reports using CMMS, Excel, Power BI, and other business intelligence platforms; and maintains permits, certifications, inspection reports, operating logs, service histories, drawings, and compliance records in audit-ready condition. Emergency maintenance may include sewage backups, water main and lateral breaks, fires, weather-related damage, water leaks, and appliance repairs. The role requires driving for Company business, either using a Company vehicle at any frequency or using a personal or rental vehicle for Company business more than 50% of the time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, facilities engineering, construction management, asset management, or a related field.
At least 7 years of experience in multifamily facilities management, engineering, maintenance operations, industrial engineering, or property operations.
Experience leading and/or providing indirect supervision.
Valid, in-state driver's license.
Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, fire alarm, elevator, and building mechanical systems.
Understanding of NFPA standards and life-safety regulations.
Knowledge of elevator maintenance practices and applicable safety codes.
Expertise in reliability-centered maintenance management principles.
Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent project management and organizational abilities.
Excellent communication and leadership skills.
Proficiency with Yardi, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and reporting platforms.
Ability to effectively manage contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
Understanding of ASME boiler standards, NFPA requirements, and applicable safety regulations.
Experience with boiler operations and water treatment programs.
Knowledge of asset lifecycle management and predictive maintenance methodologies.
Understanding of heat transfer principles, hydronic systems, condenser water loops, and energy management strategies.
Experience troubleshooting water source heat pump equipment, controls, pumps, and associated mechanical systems.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing large-scale residential, hospitality, healthcare, or mixed-use properties.
Experience with fire protection systems, elevator systems, water source heat pump systems, and capital project management.
CMRP—Maintenance and Reliability Professional certification.
Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) certification.
Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification.
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)—PMI certification.
Relevant state engineering or facilities certifications.

Responsibilities

Support the mentorship and development of maintenance technicians, provide escalated troubleshooting for complex or multi-system failures, and address technical skill gaps through hands-on training.
Direct advanced skilled work in two or more trades and, on rare occasions, perform that work across building systems including HVAC, plumbing, boilers, electrical distribution, emergency generators, building automation, heat pumps, cooling towers, roofing, structural components, elevators, and fire alarm and suppression systems.
Develop and oversee preventive, predictive, and reliability-centered maintenance programs; enforce preventive maintenance requirements; and support commissioning, recommissioning, and seasonal startup and shutdown procedures.
Manage inspection, testing, maintenance, and compliance programs for fire suppression and life-safety systems; analyze deficiencies; recommend corrective action plans; and assist with emergency preparedness and life-safety risk assessments.
Oversee maintenance, inspection, testing, and modernization of elevator systems; monitor uptime, service interruptions, repair frequency, and costs; investigate recurring problems; and support capital replacement projects.
Direct operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, and modernization of steam and natural gas-fired boiler systems; monitor efficiency and operating parameters; evaluate water treatment; and support contingency planning.
Manage operation, inspection, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of water source heat pump, geothermal heat pump, and rooftop package unit systems; monitor efficiency, comfort, and reliability; coordinate loop-water treatment; and recommend cost-reducing retrofits.
Ensure compliance with NFPA standards, ASME, state boiler and elevator regulations, OSHA, EPA, insurance carrier requirements, local fire codes, and jurisdictional requirements; conduct facility audits and operational risk assessments; and implement corrective measures.
Coordinate third-party inspections, tests, certifications, repairs, and corrective actions; manage contractors, consultants, vendors, service providers, and property teams; and verify contracted work meets specifications.
Analyze equipment performance, reliability, condition, and lifecycle cost; evaluate system performance and recommend upgrades, replacements, or modernization; and apply root-cause analysis to failures, comfort complaints, and recurring maintenance issues.
Support asset inventories and replacement planning, and assist with capital planning and budgeting for system replacements and major component upgrades.
Support renovation, rehabilitation, and capital improvement projects; develop technical specifications and scopes of work; perform cost-benefit and return-on-investment analyses; and assist with budgeting, forecasting, planning, and execution.
Collect, analyze, and interpret operational, maintenance, financial, and safety data; develop dashboards and reports using CMMS, Excel, Power BI, and other business intelligence platforms; track performance, downtime, compliance, and capital expenditures; and report to leadership on performance and improvement opportunities.
Direct emergency maintenance and, on rare occasions, perform it; address sewage backups, water main and lateral breaks, fires, weather-related damage, water leaks, and appliance repairs; and ensure unsafe conditions are corrected promptly.
Maintain permits, certifications, inspection reports, operating logs, service histories, system drawings, and compliance records in audit-ready condition; keep tools, gauges, refrigerant recovery equipment, and diagnostic instruments in ready repair; enforce proper use of equipment, chemicals, and PPE; and promote safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Drive for Company business using a Company vehicle at any frequency or a personal or rental vehicle more than 50% of the time when conducting Company business.