About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Senior Building Engineer for a commercial real estate tower with retail in Bellevue, Washington. The property is part of a larger, complex mixed-use environment, and this role owns the engineering scope for the commercial and shared building systems: fire and life safety, HVAC and central plant equipment, and common-area infrastructure.
This is a hands-on role that offers a high degree of trust and autonomy. You will be the senior engineering presence on site day to day, supported by a Chief Engineer who oversees the broader portfolio. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is comfortable assessing the building's needs, setting priorities, and carrying work through to completion with minimal direction.
Because the property involves multiple on-site operating and management teams, this role requires an engineer who communicates well, coordinates effectively with stakeholders, and works confidently within a defined scope of responsibility. Commercial real estate and commercial building engineering experience in high-rise buildings is essential, as this position is best suited to an established engineer who is ready to contribute from day one.
What You'll DoBuilding Systems Operation & Maintenance
- Operate, monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot building systems within the company's scope of responsibility, including HVAC (chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handlers, VAV boxes, heat pumps, pumps, and exhaust systems), electrical distribution, plumbing and domestic water, and emergency power/generators.
- Use the Building Automation System (BAS) daily to monitor equipment performance, adjust setpoints and schedules, respond to alarms, and optimize comfort and energy use.
- Perform and document equipment rounds and readings; identify abnormal conditions early and take corrective action.
- Maintain water treatment programs for closed and open loops, including cooling tower chemistry, and coordinate with the water treatment vendor.
- Diagnose and repair motors, VFDs, belts, bearings, valves, actuators, controls, and general mechanical equipment.
- Perform general building repairs including doors, hardware, ceiling tiles, lighting, restroom fixtures, and minor carpentry, painting, and drywall work.
Preventive Maintenance & Work Order Management
- Own the preventive maintenance program: build, schedule, execute, and close PM tasks in the work order system (Cove or similar CMMS), and keep equipment histories accurate.
- Track and drive completion of corrective work orders, ensuring timely follow-through and resolution.
- Maintain accurate records of inspections, repairs, meter readings, refrigerant logs, and equipment documentation.
Fire/Life Safety & Compliance
- Maintain fire and life safety systems in a high-rise environment, including fire pumps, sprinkler and standpipe systems, fire alarm systems, smoke control and stairwell pressurization, emergency lighting, and elevator recall.
- Coordinate and witness required testing and inspections (fire alarm, sprinkler, backflow prevention assemblies, elevators, generators, fire pump flow tests) and maintain inspection records for fire department and AHJ review.
- Support compliance with all applicable codes and regulations, including local mechanical, electrical, and fire codes, OSHA/WISHA safety requirements, EPA refrigerant management (Section 608), and energy benchmarking and performance requirements such as the Washington Clean Buildings Act.
- Follow and enforce safe work practices: lockout/tagout, arc flash awareness, confined space awareness, hot work permits, ladder and lift safety, and proper PPE use.
- Participate in and help lead emergency response procedures, including fire alarms, floods, power outages, and elevator entrapments.
Stakeholder Coordination & Tenant Service
- Coordinate day-to-day with other on-site operating and management teams on shared systems, access, shutdowns, and emergency response.
- Respond to tenant and occupant service requests promptly and professionally, communicating clearly on status and resolution.
- Supervise, train, and mentor junior engineers and maintenance staff as assigned; set the standard for workmanship, safety, and professionalism.
- Build strong working relationships with property management, tenants, and vendor partners; support tenant events, move-ins, and after-hours access needs.
Vendor & Project Management
- Assist in vendor selection, scope development, proposal review, and contract negotiation for service agreements and repairs.
- Oversee vendor work on site: verify insurance and access requirements, review work quality, and ensure contractors deliver to the agreed scope and schedule.
- Support capital projects and tenant improvement construction: review plans, coordinate shutdowns and tie-ins, protect base building systems, and commission new equipment.
- Manage smaller-scale in-house projects from scoping through completion, on time and on budget.
Budgeting & Documentation
- Contribute to annual operating and capital budget planning; help forecast repair and replacement needs.
- Track expenses against budget, obtain competitive quotes, and process invoices and purchase orders accurately.
- Maintain as-built drawings, O&M manuals, equipment inventories, and warranty records.
Schedule & On-Call
- Standard full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, with occasional early, late, or weekend work for shutdowns, testing, and projects.
- Participate in the company’s after-hours on-call rotation alongside engineers from other portfolio properties, responding to building emergencies as scheduled; must be able to respond within a reasonable time.
What You'll BringRequired
- High school diploma or GED.
- 5+ years of progressive commercial real estate and commercial building engineering experience, with direct hands-on experience operating and maintaining high-rise building systems.
- Management or supervisory experience leading building engineering or maintenance staff, including assigning and reviewing work, developing team members, and upholding performance and safety standards.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and manage priorities with minimal direction.
- Working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and fire/life safety systems in commercial high-rise buildings.
- Experience with building automation systems and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
- Strong troubleshooting skills and sound judgment under pressure.
- Clear, professional communication with tenants, vendors, and other on-site teams.
- Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and equipment manuals.
- Basic proficiency with email, spreadsheets, and mobile work order applications.
Preferred Licenses & Certifications
- Washington State 07 Electrical Specialty Certification (Nonresidential Maintenance), or active trainee status working toward it.
- Washington State 06A HVAC/Refrigeration Specialty Electrician Certification (or 06B Restricted).
- EPA Section 608 Certification (Universal preferred).
- NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certification in HVAC.
- Backflow Assembly Tester (BAT) certification through the Washington State Department of Health.
- Building Operator Certification (BOC) Level I or Level II.
- BOMI International designations: Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT) or Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA).
- Boiler or stationary engineer license.
- CPR/First Aid/AED certification.
- Vocational or technical training in HVAC, electrical, stationary engineering, or a related trade.
- Familiarity with energy management, retro-commissioning, and sustainable building practices (LEED, ENERGY STAR, Clean Buildings Act compliance).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 100 lbs (team lift and equipment assists used where appropriate).
- Ability to climb ladders and stairs, work on rooftops and in mechanical rooms, and work from lifts.
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and reach for extended periods.
- Ability to work in confined or awkward spaces and in varying temperatures and weather conditions.
- Ability to safely use hand and power tools, gauges, and meters.
- Ability to distinguish colors on wiring and control panels and hear equipment and alarm signals.
Why Join Us
This role offers the opportunity to lead the engineering operations at a distinctive commercial property in the heart of Bellevue, with a varied scope of work and meaningful responsibility and independence. We invest in training, licensure, and professional development, and senior engineers here have a clear path toward Chief Engineer roles. You will be supported by leadership that values the trade and trusts its engineers to do excellent work.
Benefits
- 401(k) with company matching
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Health savings account (HSA)
- Life insurance
- Paid time off and paid holidays
- Retirement plan
- Support for continuing education, licensing, and certification renewals
Equal Opportunity
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $100,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
