Chief Engineer

Job Title: Life Sciences Facility Chief Engineer
Location: Scottsdale AZ

Position Type: Full-time on-site (including on-call/after-hours as required)

Benefit Information:

ABM offers a comprehensive benefits package. For information about ABMs benefits visitABM Employee Benefits Front Line Team Members (Programa de Beneficios de ABM)

Position Summary

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the safe reliable and efficient operation maintenance and performance of the mechanical electrical plumbing (MEP) HVAC building automation and life-science critical systems for a multi-building life sciences facility/campus. This role oversees the engineering and maintenance staff ensures compliance with regulatory safety and environmental standards manages preventive maintenance programs facilitates capital project coordination and supports a high-uptime / critical environment (labs research biotech).

Key Responsibilities
Lead mentor and supervise engineering/maintenance staff (in-house and/or contract trades) for the facility/campus.
Develop oversee and execute a preventive maintenance (PM) program for all major building systems (HVAC plumbing life safety electrical controls etc.).
Monitor and manage building automation systems (BAS) direct digital controls (DDC) energy monitoring platforms and other controls/automation systems to optimize performance and minimize downtime.
Oversee mechanical electrical and plumbing system operations to ensure the facility meets required environmental temperature/humidity clean-room or lab conditions as needed for life sciences research/production.
Serve as liaison for construction/retrofit projects: attend design/engineering meetings review drawings/schematics monitor contractor work ensure systems are installed per engineered specifications.
Ensure compliance with safety codes (OSHA NFPA NEC equipment licensing) building codes life safety environmental and regulatory requirements for life sciences facilities.
Manage work orders maintain logs and documentation of maintenance repairs special projects and capital improvements.
Assist in budget planning and capital project forecasting: monitor and control costs for maintenance repairs and energy usage.
Identify opportunities for system optimization energy efficiency reliability improvements cost reduction and propose capital/maintenance plans accordingly.
Provide after-hours availability / on-call support for emergency response given the critical nature of life science operations.
Develop training programs for staff ensure safety/technical training is completed and maintain a high performance reliable engineering team.
Maintain effective customer/tenant/occupant relations (labs research groups) responding to service issues ensuring minimal disruption to critical operations.


Qualifications

Education & Experience:
High School Diploma or equivalent minimum; preferred: Associate/Bachelors degree in Engineering Facilities Management Mechanical/Electrical discipline.
Extensive experience (10-15 years) in building engineering/maintenance ideally in life sciences biotech research or critical facilities environments.
Supervisory experience (managing multi-trade staff/contractors).
Experience with building automation systems (BAS/DDC) HVAC plumbing fire alarm electrical distribution and life safety systems.

Skills & Knowledge:
Strong technical troubleshooting ability for mechanical/electrical/building control systems in critical environments.
Ability to read and interpret complex drawings ladder diagrams schematics plans/specifications.
Proficiency with computer systems CMMS (computerized maintenance management systems) BAS platforms and energy monitoring tools.
Excellent leadership communication interpersonal skills (with staff contractors management tenants/research groups).
Knowledge of relevant codes/regulations (OSHA NFPA NEC HVAC licensing ASHRAE standards local building codes).

Certificates/Licenses (Preferred or Required):
Trades license (e.g. HVAC electrical) or facility engineering license as required by jurisdiction.
Certifications such as EPA CFC 608 (for HVAC refrigerant handling) preferred.
Prior experience with or certification in life sciences facility operations (clean-rooms lab HVAC critical infrastructure) highly desirable.


Working Conditions & Expectations
This role is in a high-demand high-uptime life science facility/campus environment; may require early starts late shifts overtime on-call and emergency response.
Requires active presence on site frequent walk-throughs of mechanical rooms labs plant equipment rooftops parking structures and may include exposure to lab environments.
Physical demands may include climbing stairs/ladders walking long distances standing kneeling lifting equipment/parts (up to 50 lbs).
Emphasis on safety culture proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and adherence to facility/tenant protocols.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) & Success Metrics
Reliable uptime of critical systems (HVAC chilled water clean-rooms chilled beams lab ventilation)
On-time completion of preventive maintenance tasks & work orders
Maintenance cost control and adherence to budget
Energy usage / cost savings / efficiency improvements
Contractor/vendor performance metrics (responsiveness quality cost)
Safety incidents / regulatory compliance
Tenant satisfaction / minimal disruption of lab operations