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Director of Engineering – Building Engineering & Maintenance
Location: Northern California
Compensation: $165,000–$200,000 (base, DOE)
The Director of Engineering is a senior leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction and operational oversight for all building engineering and maintenance functions across a large portfolio of properties. This role leads a large, geographically distributed team of engineering managers, building engineers, and technicians, ensuring the safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of mechanical, electrical, plumbing , life safety, and building automation systems.
This position combines executive-level strategy with hands-on technical leadership. The Director of Engineering establishes engineering standards, drives operational excellence, mitigates risk, and protects asset value across both owned and third-party managed properties throughout their lifecycle.
Responsibilities:
Defining and executing the vision, strategy, and operating standards for the engineering function across all markets; developing and implementing consistent engineering policies, procedures, and best practices; and serving as a senior technical advisor to executive leadership, asset management, property management, and clients. The role leads long-range capital planning in partnership with construction and asset management teams and supports tenant satisfaction and retention initiatives through close collaboration with property management. Clear communication of engineering strategies, risks, and performance metrics to stakeholders is essential, as is supporting third-party management relationships and participating in property acquisition, due diligence, and asset transition planning.
The Director of Engineering oversees daily engineering operations across the portfolio, ensuring system reliability, safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This includes standardizing preventive and predictive maintenance programs; ensuring optimal performance of HVAC systems, central plants, electrical distribution, plumbing, life safety, and building automation systems; and leading the troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical issues and critical system failures. The role oversees engineering aspects of capital projects, major repairs, and system replacements; reviews scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and commissioning plans; and selects, manages, and evaluates vendors, contractors, and consultants. Additional responsibilities include driving energy efficiency, sustainability, and decarbonization initiatives; leveraging building analytics and emerging technologies; tracking and reporting KPIs related to energy use, system reliability, and maintenance effectiveness; and supporting building envelope and waterproofing projects as needed.
This role leads, mentors, and develops engineering managers and technical staff across multiple regions. It establishes staffing models, succession planning, training programs, and certification requirements while fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. The Director of Engineering ensures compliance with labor agreements, licensing requirements, and continuing education standards and oversees safety training and workforce development initiatives.
Financial responsibilities include developing and managing engineering operating budgets across multiple markets; controlling operating expenses while maintaining asset integrity and service quality; evaluating lifecycle costs, energy performance, and ROI for engineering initiatives; supporting expense recovery programs related to engineering services; and clearly communicating capital and operating needs to executive leadership and stakeholders.
The Director of Engineering ensures compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal codes and regulations and oversees life safety systems, emergency preparedness, and business continuity planning. The role leads environmental, health, and safety programs, including incident investigation and corrective action, and identifies, assesses, and manages risk related to building systems, equipment reliability, and regulatory exposure.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or a related technical field (or equivalent experience) preferred
- 8+ years of progressive experience in commercial building engineering or facilities management
- 4+ years in a senior leadership role overseeing engineering operations
- Deep knowledge of commercial MEP systems, life safety systems, and building automation
- Strong understanding of applicable codes, regulations, and compliance requirements
- Proven experience with capital planning, project delivery, and asset lifecycle management
- Proficiency with CMMS platforms and Microsoft Office applications
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams across multiple regions
- Strong financial and business acumen
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills
- High level of professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Professional Engineer (PE), CFM, LEED AP, or similar certifications a plus
- EPA 608 Universal, NFPA 70e, and OSHA certifications a plus