Vice President of Building Engineering - East Coast (Based in McLean, VA)

Trinity Property Consultants • McLean, VA

23d • $150,000 - $200,000 • Onsite

About The Position

A dynamic senior executive providing strategic leadership and technical oversight to ensure the optimal performance of all internal and external building systems across apartment communities—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, elevators, and more. The Vice President of Building Engineering leverages exceptional organizational skills, innovative problem-solving, and creative thinking to deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within budget, while meeting all applicable codes and quality standards. This role is accountable for resolving escalated issues, driving continuous process improvement, and fostering team development. Success in this position requires a proven ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, applying experience and sound judgment to achieve goals with a high degree of creativity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Portfolio Overview: This team member will support properties across the East Coast region, as well as select locations in the Midwest. When not traveling or conducting site visits, they will work from our Regional DC office in McLean, Virginia. This position also requires being on-call 24/7 for property-related emergencies.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in building systems project management, including time in a senior leadership or management role within Multifamily or Hospitality sectors with a focus on central plant operations and overall major building systems.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with development, budgeting, and execution of capital improvement projects.
• Strong creative, organizational, problem solving, and time-management skills, and the ability to take a project from start to finish with minimal supervision
• Advanced expertise in two or more trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire/life safety, elevators, etc.
• Strong working knowledge of all building systems including but not limited to MEP, commissioning, life and fire safety, elevator modernization, HVAC, and other centralized systems
• Experience with energy management systems as well as mitigating indoor air quality and other environmental issues
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical, or related discipline) or Construction Management required and 8+ Years experience OR 15+ years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
• EPA Universal Certification required
• OSHA 10-hour Certificate
• Must have at least two or more of the following certifications: NATE Core Service with Air Distribution Service Specialty RSES Certificate Member (or any higher level) HVAC Excellence Professional (light commercial air conditioning, gas heat, green awareness certification) BOMA – Systems Maintenance Tech SMA SMT
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Intermediate proficiency in Word, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, Yardi and Asana preferred.
• Physical demands may include the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. The team member will be regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and reach using feet, legs, back, arms and hands. The team member may occasionally be required to climb. Specific vision requirements include the ability to use close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The team member will be required to work at a personal computer. Must possess the ability to detect auditory and/or visual alarms and be available to work extended/flexible hours and weekends as needed.
• This position is a full-time position and may require the availability to work some nights, weekends, and occasional holidays. Regular attendance and active participation/planning at company functions and events is also required.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic air travel and vehicle rental.

Nice To Haves

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred.
• Stationary/Operator Engineers License preferred

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive engineering strategies aligned with the company’s business objectives and long-term vision.
• Manage the engineering department’s budget, including capital expenditures, resource allocation, and preventive maintenance planning.
• Provide leadership and development for the maintenance and engineering team, including scheduling, duties, and building automation systems.
• Oversee scope, technical specifications, budget tracking, scheduling, material/equipment requirements, subcontractor/vendor bidding, and overall execution of cost-effective capital improvement, construction, and modernization projects.
• Manage capital projects involving major design changes, performance/process improvements, reliability analysis, and related enhancements.
• Evaluate existing elevator and fire/life safety systems, recommend improvements, and assist with modernization project management.
• Identify and evaluate potential building systems-related projects, providing recommendations that align with operational goals, budget constraints, and long-term asset performance.
• Participate in due diligence community evaluations to determine the condition of physical assets as well as making recommendations for improvements pertaining to processes or equipment.
• Conduct building system inspections as needed and maintain accurate documentation.
• Pre-diagnose and troubleshoot various building systems prior to scheduling repairs.
• Ensure physical aspects meet safety and operational standards through proactive problem-solving and preventive actions.
• Assist in maintaining the equipment inventory in the CMMS
• Complete additional tasks or duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Maintain central systems with large mechanical assets including chillers, cooling towers, elevators, generators, fire systems, data centers, and critical environment.
• Actively provide technical engineering support for on-site teams regarding operation, improvements, replacements, and/or upgrades for building systems and equipment.
• Identify and recommend potential building systems-related projects.
• Buildings are open 24/7 so the candidate will need to be comfortable being on call 24/7.
• Conducts start-up and shut-down tours.
• Monitor service call tracking systems and progress.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision: Highlights include company-paid individual PPO-HSA plan (with $1,200 annual employer contribution); HMO options for California residents. Dental and vision premiums are fully covered for employees; coverage for dependents is available at an additional cost.
• Retirement Plans (401K): The company matches 1/3 of the employee's contribution up to 2% of the salary.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Up to $100,000 of life insurance and AD&D coverage, plus short- and long-term disability insurance. In addition, supplemental life for the employee, spouse, and children.
• Time Off: 11 paid holidays, 2–4 weeks of vacation based on years of service, and sick leave provided in compliance with state and local requirements.
• Referral Bonuses: $1,000 for eligible employee referrals.
• Volunteer Time Off: Up to 16 hours annually (8 for personal volunteer activities, 8 for company-sponsored events).
• Perks: Professional development, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees