Chief Engineer

Team: Engineering & Trades

Location: New York, New York, United States

Commitment: Full Time

Workplace Type: onsite

RESPONSBILITIES

• Building Operations & Tenant Coordination:
• Serve as the building engineering representative and liaison with tenants and property management, ensuring building services are delivered in accordance with lease obligations and ESRT standards.
• Maintain positive tenant relationships by ensuring timely response to tenant requests, coordinating repairs, and documenting work through the building’s work order system.
• Identify and report common area maintenance deficiencies and ensure appropriate corrective action is initiated.
• Perform regular inspections of common areas, back‑of‑house spaces, and mechanical and electrical rooms; generate work tickets as required.
• Fire Life Safety & Compliance:
• Maintain a current Fire Life Safety Director Certificate of Fitness (F‑89), as required.
• Maintain Fire Department‑required logs and documentation for fire alarm, sprinkler, and standpipe systems.
• Ensure compliance with all fire life safety, emergency, and building procedures as established by ESRT and the managing agent
• Test, inspect, and maintain emergency equipment and systems in proper working order.
• Building Systems & Preventive Maintenance:
• Oversee the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire life safety, and related building systems
• Direct and monitor preventive maintenance programs for all mechanical and electrical equipment using the building’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• Maintain accurate current and historical preventive maintenance records for all building systems
• Troubleshoot and resolve system issues to minimize downtime and service disruption
• Partner with other Chiefs to address gaps in inspections, PM completion, or regulatory compliance.
• Construction, Renovations & Controls:
• Review and coordinate tenant construction and renovation activities to ensure compliance with approved plans and building standards.
• Procure, review, and maintain architectural, mechanical, and electrical drawings, including as‑built plans and CAD documentation
• Inspect construction and renovation work and prepare mechanical and electrical punch lists as required
• Coordinate and supervise controls‑related projects, including procurement, design, and implementation
• Ensure tenant construction activities protect building infrastructure, finishes, and tenant property, coordinate restoration and cleanup upon completion
• Contractor & Vendor Management:
• Provide technical oversight and subject-matter expertise for large repair and maintenance (R&M) initiatives and capital projects across the portfolio.
• Participate in project planning, scope development, plan reviews, and constructability assessments to ensure alignment with ESRT standards.
• Support the development and execution of long-term capital planning, including 5- and 10-year engineering capital forecasts.
• Maintain working knowledge of major building systems across portfolio assets, including equipment condition, lifecycle status, and replacement strategies.
• Supervise and monitor contractors, subcontractors, and vendors performing work in the building
• Ensure subcontracted work complies with applicable codes, regulations, and ESRT best practices
• Evaluate, recommend, and monitor mechanical and service contractors, including bid review and performance oversight
• Maintain a current directory of approved contractor and vendor contact information
• Coordinate proper disposal of materials and waste in accordance with building and regulatory requirements
• Energy & Sustainability:
• Monitor building energy usage and assist with the development and implementation of energy management strategies
• Identify operational efficiency improvements aimed at reducing equipment wear, energy consumption, and emissions
• Review and report on opportunities for preventive maintenance, energy savings, and cost‑control measures
• Management & Administration:
• Supervise and coordinate activities of engineering staff using the building’s CMMS platform (e.g., Building Engines or equivalent)
• Ensure engineering staff are properly equipped, trained, and operating safely
• Assign, track, and close work orders daily; ensure timely communication with tenants regarding delays or deferred work
• Maintain a written listing of open tasks and provide clear work instructions to engineering staff
• Participate in the interview, training, scheduling, evaluation, and performance counseling of engineering staff, as required and in accordance with union agreements
• Review and approve time sheets and overtime; utilize payroll and reporting systems such as ADP and Excel
• Budgeting & Reporting:
• Provide technical oversight and subject-matter expertise for large repair and maintenance (R&M) initiatives and capital projects across the portfolio.
• Participate in project planning, scope development, plan reviews, and constructability assessments to ensure alignment with ESRT standards.
• Support the development and execution of long-term capital planning, including 5- and 10-year engineering capital forecasts.
• Maintain working knowledge of major building systems across portfolio assets, including equipment condition, lifecycle status, and replacement strategies.
• Prepare and submit regular operational and activity reports to property management
• Assist with the preparation of annual operating, maintenance, and capital budgets
• Monitor expenditures and provide explanations for variances between approved budgets and actual expenses
• Prepare purchase orders and procure parts and supplies in accordance with company policies and approved budget guidelines
• Maintain inventory of building‑owned tools, equipment, and supplies
• Cooling Tower & Specialty Systems:
• Inspect, service, maintain, and repair cooling towers, chillers, and associated electrical and mechanical components
• Ensure compliance with cooling tower maintenance programs, reporting, and regulatory requirements
• Obtain and maintain required certifications (including Category 7G, as applicable) for cooling tower maintenance programs and chemical application
• Safety, Ethics & Professional Standards:
• Maintain awareness and adherence to all building safety, emergency, and security procedures
• Control engineering operations and response activities during emergency situations
• Promote a safe, ethical, and drug‑free workplace
• Maintain professional appearance, conduct, and courteous working relationships with tenants, contractors, and colleagues
• Act as a cooperative member of the management and building operations team
•  Leadership & Organizational Development
• Serve as a visible leader and trusted resource for engineering teams across the portfolio.
• Act as an intermediary between building engineering teams and management helping translate strategy into execution.
• Demonstrate a proactive leadership approach, identifying opportunities for improvement rather than reacting to failures.
• Show a clear desire to grow within the organization and contribute to the long-term success of ESRT’s engineering platform.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

• You are a highly motivated individual with a passion for engineering, who possesses the necessary skills needed in this role. You are a leader and can keep management updated on a daily basis. You are able to supervise a team of engineers and provide them with a list of responsibilities and instructions for which they are to complete. You have strong communication skills and the ability to communicate with both tenant and colleagues. You are organized and able to keep track of any issues that need to be fixed such as tenant or mechanical issues.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Technical Skills:
• Demonstrated training and/or hands‑on experience in multiple building trades.
• Ability to operate, maintain, and troubleshoot HVAC systems, including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment
• Working knowledge of electrical systems and related subsystems
• Experience with building control systems, including pneumatic, electric, electronic, and solid‑state direct digital control (DDC) systems
• Knowledge of plumbing, pressure piping, hydronic, and other pressurized piping system
• Familiarity with fire alarm systems, life safety systems, air distribution (ductwork), and VAV systems
• Ability to safely use tools, equipment, and test instruments to measure, analyze, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair electrical and HVAC systems
• Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS), including platforms such as Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Tridium, Alerton, Automated Logic, Distech, Schneider Electric, or similar systems
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance programs applicable to building systems
• Basic proficiency in the use of computer systems and related software
• Management & Communication Skills:
• Working knowledge of supervisory and management practices, including time management and performance oversight
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken English with supervisors, coworkers, vendors, and management
• Ability to prepare professional written documentation, including reports, memoranda, logs, and records

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), College or university credits or degree in applicable discipline preferred
• Minimum (5) years’ experience in the various disciplines of operating engineering, electrical power, and HVAC systems, with two or more years with personnel management experience
• A current engineer's license (or equivalent) that is either issued or recognized and accepted by the jurisdiction in which the employee is actively engaged
• EPA CFC Certification
• Refrigeration (Q-01)/Operator’s Certificate of Fitness
• Fire Life Safety Director (F-89) and Emergency Action Plan Certificate of Finesses
• Category 7G Certified Applicator License
• (G7) Category 7G Certified Applicator License (Pesticide), required or expected to be obtained
• S-12/S-13 qualified or expected to be obtained.
• Fireguard/Torch (F-60)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the position
• Ability to work off the ladder
• Ability to work in tight environments
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
• Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
•  Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
• Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
• Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
• Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
• Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
• Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through

BENEFITS

• Local 94 Benefits as per Collective Bargaining Agreement