Chief Engineer

Job Description: Chief Engineer – Seattle

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About Us

Urban Villages Inc. is a mission-driven real estate development and investment company committed to creating sustainable and impactful properties. We believe in harmonizing planet with profit and delivering remarkable outcomes through innovative solutions. Our team thrives on being problem solvers and innovators, demanding rigor in all we do to deliver significant impact. As we continue to grow, we are looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to these core principles.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Chief Engineer with great interpersonal skills, experience maintaining a variety of commercial building types, and a disciplined attention to detail to join our growing Seattle team. The ideal candidate will have experience working in downtown Seattle, with industry knowledge and professional contacts specific to this market. The Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing engineering and maintenance operations across the portfolio of commercial and retail properties located at the RailSpur project. This role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and energy management while supervising maintenance staff and managing both tenant and vendor relationships. This position reports to the Director of Facilities and works closely with the Chief Curation Officer and Property Manager.

RailSpur

RailSpur is a three-building mixed-use development in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, seamlessly integrating office, retail, restaurant, and hotel spaces across meticulously restored brick warehouses. The buildings are connected by a revitalized alleyway where the Northern Pacific Railroad once ran—now transformed into a vibrant pedestrian corridor and cultural destination. The RailSpur tenant mix includes some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurateurs and creative leaders. With nearby stadiums, art galleries, and performance venues, the neighborhood thrives as a hub of energy and activity. The RailSpur block is uniquely positioned to serve as a constantly evolving platform for events, activations, and community engagement.

Primary Responsibilities

Operational Oversight, Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead day-to-day engineering and building operations across all property types.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of all critical systems: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, elevators, and building automation systems.
• Implement and oversee preventive maintenance schedules as well as staff schedules and on-call coverage.
• Manage and develop a building engineer, providing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in the engineering team.
• Resolve technical challenges and provide solutions to ensure team success and mitigate risks.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with local and state building codes, OSHA standards, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee fire/life safety programs, emergency response readiness, and inspections.
• Maintain all compliance records, permits, and certificates.

Capital Planning & Project Management

• Coordinate Capital Expense project, system upgrades, renovations, and vendor work.
• Collaborate with managers and director on budgeting and long-term planning.
• Evaluate bids, manage contractors, and oversee project execution.
• Monitor project progress, identifying potential issues, and taking corrective action.

Budgeting & Cost Control

• Assist in the preparation and management of engineering budgets, including repair and maintenance, operating expenses, and capital improvements.
• Monitor energy consumption and implement cost-saving/efficiency initiatives.
• Track and report on maintenance, work order completion, unit turn-overs, and asset condition.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with Director of Facilities, Property Managers and other stakeholders to prioritize and align project goals with business objectives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between different teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of projects.
• Champion effective teamwork and communication across departments to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Systems Expertise

• Create, improve and oversee work order, SDS, safety programs and processes.
• Maintain thorough understanding of mechanical drawings and blueprints.
• Work closely with property managers to support tenant requests and buildouts.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required as well as relevant technical certifications (some required, some preferred, see list below).
• 10 years of experience in building operations with a minimum of 2 years of experience in management or supervisory role.
• Experience with a mixed-use and/or commercial office portfolio highly preferred.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles, design processes, and technologies relevant to the industry.
• Demonstrated aptitude in the maintenance and operation of mechanical, plumbing, carpentry, electrical, HVAC, and structural systems.
• Experience with MRI, Yardi, or other maintenance work order software.
• Excellent oral and written communications and customer service skills, with respect to colleagues, supervisors, vendors, contractors, tenants, and others.
• Excellent attention to detail and organization, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Self-motivated with “ownership thinking” applied to decision making.
• Proficient use of PCs, Macs, and standard digital productivity tools (e.g. Office365).
• Ability to lift, carry and/or move materials or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds; job duties may also require work to be performed from ladders, rooftops, or mechanical lifts.
• Ability to operate small machinery.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as part of a rotating emergency contact schedule.
• Absolute discreteness in receiving and handling sensitive information.
• Valid driver’s license and insurability under the company’s insurance policy.

Certifications (Preferred/Required)

• EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification (required)
• Fire/Life Safety certifications (required)
• OSHA 10 or 30 (required)
• BOC Level 1 (preferred)
• Seattle Refrigeration Operating Engineer (preferred)
• Electrical License (preferred)
• Certified Energy Manager (preferred)
• Stationary Engineer License (preferred)
• LEED or other sustainability credentials (preferred)

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation for this role includes a base annual salary of $125,000-145,000. As a manager-level position, the role is eligible for an annual bonus based on performance. xhqgsiq Benefits will include the following:

• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• 401k retirement plan
• Paid holidays
• Flexible time off

Equal Opportunity Employer

Denver-based Urban Villages is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.