Building Engineer

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Building Engineer to oversee the daily maintenance, mechanical operations, preventive maintenance, and overall physical condition of a large residential condominium community in Jersey City.

This is not an entry-level superintendent position. We are looking for someone with strong mechanical knowledge who is comfortable working directly with commercial building equipment and troubleshooting building systems before immediately relying on outside contractors.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with commercial boilers, HVAC systems, cooling towers, pumps, valves, plumbing, electrical systems, water distribution systems, and building shutdowns.

The Building Engineer will work closely with property management, maintenance staff, contractors, and vendors to ensure that the property is operated safely, efficiently, and proactively.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day maintenance and mechanical operations of the property.
• Perform daily building and mechanical-room inspections.
• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain commercial boiler and heating systems.
• Assist with seasonal boiler start-up, shutdown, preparation, and routine maintenance.
• Operate and maintain commercial HVAC equipment and cooling tower systems.
• Understand cooling tower operation, pumps, circulation systems, chemical-treatment equipment, controls, and associated piping.
• Troubleshoot heating and cooling complaints throughout the building.
• Diagnose problems involving pumps, motors, valves, actuators, controls, belts, piping, and mechanical equipment.
• Perform and coordinate building water shutdowns and system isolation when repairs are required.
• Identify the correct valves and isolation points before plumbing or mechanical work begins.
• Repair and replace valves, plumbing components, fixtures, piping, and related equipment when appropriate.
• Troubleshoot water-pressure, circulation, and water-flow problems throughout the building.
• Perform general plumbing repairs and respond to leaks, clogs, pipe failures, and other plumbing emergencies.
• Possess working knowledge of electrical troubleshooting and repairs, including switches, outlets, lighting, breakers, motors, controls, and related building equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical equipment and determine when a licensed outside contractor is required.
• Respond quickly to leaks, loss of heat, loss of water, HVAC failures, equipment failures, flooding, and other building emergencies.
• Coordinate and supervise outside plumbers, electricians, HVAC contractors, boiler contractors, elevator contractors, and other service providers.
• Verify that contractor work has been properly completed before closing out service calls.
• Maintain mechanical rooms, boiler rooms, utility areas, storage rooms, and building work areas in a clean and safe condition.
• Establish and maintain a strong preventive maintenance program for major building equipment.
• Maintain logs of inspections, repairs, equipment readings, shutdowns, maintenance, and outstanding issues.
• Identify deteriorating equipment and potential failures before they become emergencies.
• Maintain an inventory of commonly needed building parts, tools, valves, belts, filters, fittings, and maintenance supplies.
• Supervise, train, and cross-train maintenance and porter staff.
• Ensure other maintenance employees understand basic building systems and emergency procedures.
• Work closely with property management to develop repair priorities and long-term maintenance plans.
• Provide management with clear recommendations regarding equipment repairs, replacements, and capital projects.
• Assist with fire/life-safety systems, inspections, emergency procedures, and building compliance as required.
• Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with residents, Board members, management, staff, and vendors.

Mechanical Experience Required

Qualified candidates should have hands-on experience with several of the following:

Commercial Boiler Systems
Boiler operation, troubleshooting, controls, pumps, valves, heating loops, seasonal start-up/shutdown, and basic boiler maintenance.

Commercial HVAC Systems
HVAC troubleshooting, pumps, motors, thermostats, controls, air-handling equipment, mechanical components, and related systems.

Cooling Towers
Cooling tower operation, seasonal start-up/shutdown, draining, pumps, piping, valves, belts, controls, water circulation, and general maintenance.

Plumbing & Water Distribution
Domestic water systems, risers, valves, shutoffs, pumps, pressure issues, leaks, pipe repairs, drainage systems, and building-wide water shutdowns.

Electrical Systems
Basic electrical troubleshooting, lighting, outlets, switches, breakers, motors, controls, and safe diagnosis of electrical problems.

Pumps, Motors & Valves
Troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and maintaining pumps, motors, valves, actuators, and related mechanical equipment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in building maintenance, building engineering, facilities maintenance, or superintendent operations preferred.
• Strong preference for candidates with experience in large residential, condominium, apartment, commercial, hotel, hospital, or institutional buildings.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with commercial mechanical equipment.
• Strong knowledge of boiler, HVAC, cooling tower, plumbing, electrical, and water-distribution systems.
• Ability to read equipment manuals, diagrams, labels, gauges, and basic mechanical/electrical documentation.
• Ability to diagnose a mechanical problem systematically rather than relying solely on outside vendors.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, meters, plumbing tools, and maintenance equipment.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and train other building employees.
• Ability to document completed work and communicate outstanding issues clearly to management.
• Must be dependable and capable of responding to building emergencies when necessary.
• Relevant HVAC, boiler, electrical, plumbing, or building-engineering certifications are strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license preferred.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who takes ownership of the building.

The successful candidate should be proactive rather than reactive. We want someone who walks the property, knows the mechanical rooms, understands where critical shutoff valves are located, recognizes when equipment does not sound or operate correctly, keeps accurate maintenance records, and addresses smaller problems before they develop into major failures.

The right candidate will be equally comfortable turning a wrench, troubleshooting equipment, supervising staff, communicating with management, and coordinating specialized contractors.

Housing Opportunity

For the right candidate, there may be an opportunity for housing within the community as part of the overall employment/compensation arrangement.

Housing availability and terms would be discussed with qualified candidates during the interview and offer process.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive compensation based on experience, certifications, and technical qualifications.

Benefits and additional employment terms will be discussed during the interview process.

Candidates with extensive commercial boiler, HVAC, cooling tower, plumbing, electrical, and building-engineering experience are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume outlining your building maintenance and mechanical experience.

Once you have submitted your application, please feel free to message the employer directly regarding your application.

Pay: $28.85 - $31.25 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person