Chief Engineer

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Position: Chief Engineer

Location: Downtown New Orleans

Schedule: Monday–Friday; on-call and after-hours support as needed

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall management, performance, and reliability of all building systems within a commercial office property. Unlike a Stationary Engineer role, this position provides leadership, direction, and oversight of engineering operations, staff, vendors, and long-term maintenance planning. The Chief Engineer ensures systems are not only operational, but optimized, compliant, and aligned with property goals and budgets.

• Lead and manage all engineering and maintenance personnel, including scheduling, training, and performance management
• Oversee the operation and efficiency of HVAC, chiller systems, electrical, and plumbing infrastructure
• Develop, implement, and enforce preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Serve as the primary decision-maker for complex repairs, system failures, and emergency response
• Manage and approve work performed by third-party vendors and contractors
• Prepare and manage operating budgets, including forecasting and capital expenditures
• Identify and recommend equipment upgrades, replacements, and energy efficiency improvements
• Ensure full compliance with OSHA, local codes, and safety standards
• Maintain high-level oversight of logs, reporting, and regulatory documentation
• Act as the main point of contact for property management regarding all engineering matters
• Establish and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the engineering team

• Must have Valid Stationary Engineer license
• 5+ years of commercial building engineering experience, including leadership/supervisory responsibility
• Advanced knowledge of central plant operations, including large-scale chiller systems
• Demonstrated ability to manage teams, vendors, and budgets
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to oversee—not just perform—repairs
• Experience with building automation systems (BAS) and energy management preferred

• Leadership vs. Execution:
  Chief Engineer directs the team;
  Stationary Engineer performs assigned maintenance and repairs
• Accountability:
  Chief Engineer is responsible for overall building performance and compliance, not just individual tasks
• Decision-Making Authority:
  Chief Engineer makes final calls on repairs, vendors, and capital improvements
• Strategic Focus:
  Chief Engineer handles budgeting, planning, and system optimization;
  Stationary Engineer focuses on day-to-day operations
• Supervision:
  Chief Engineer manages staff;
  Stationary Engineer typically works independently or under supervision
• Vendor & Client Interaction:
  Chief Engineer interfaces regularly with ownership/management and contractors

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health insurance
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Company-provided phone