Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer

Position Summary:

The Assistant Director of Building Services & Senior Chief Engineer performs advanced preventive and corrective maintenance, diagnoses complex mechanical and electrical issues, monitors building automation systems, coordinates with contractors and vendors, and provides technical guidance to junior maintenance personnel. This position serves as a senior technical resource for building operations and is responsible for maintaining critical HVAC equipment, supporting tenant comfort, minimizing equipment downtime, and ensuring properties operate in accordance with company standards, manufacturer requirements, and applicable safety codes

Position Responsibilities:

• Operate, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair commercial HVAC systems and associated building equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on:
  • Air handling units (AHUs)
  • Rooftop units (RTUs)
  • Chillers and cooling towers
  • Boilers and heating systems
  • Pumps, motors, and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
  • Exhaust and ventilation systems
  • Fan coil units and terminal units
  • Refrigeration equipment
  • Pneumatic and electronic controls
  • Building automation/management systems (BAS/BMS)
• Conduct routine mechanical-room and building inspections to identify equipment deficiencies and potential failures before they affect building operations.
• Diagnose complex HVAC, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, and controls problems using appropriate testing instruments and diagnostic procedures.
• Monitor building automation systems and adjust HVAC operating parameters to maintain tenant comfort and optimize energy performance.
• Respond to HVAC-related emergencies, equipment failures, tenant service requests, and after-hours calls as required.
• Perform equipment start-ups, shutdowns, operational testing, and seasonal changeovers.
• Maintain accurate preventive maintenance records, work orders, equipment logs, inspection reports, and service documentation.
• Review equipment performance and recommend repairs, replacements, upgrades, or energy-efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate with property management, facility management, engineering staff, tenants, contractors, and service vendors.
• Assist with contractor oversight, including reviewing work, verifying completion, and ensuring work is performed safely and according to specifications.
• Maintain appropriate levels of HVAC parts, filters, refrigerants, tools, and maintenance supplies.
• Support capital improvement projects, equipment replacements, renovations, and building-system upgrades.
• Maintain compliance with applicable OSHA requirements, building codes, environmental regulations, and company safety procedures.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe mechanical rooms, equipment areas, and workspaces.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and assistance to junior maintenance technicians.
• Prioritize maintenance activities based on equipment criticality, tenant needs, safety, and business impact.
• Perform general building maintenance duties as needed to support overall property operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, energy efficiency, operating costs, and asset life.
• Assist property management with technical assessments, repair recommendations, and budgeting for HVAC-related capital expenditures.
• Work with property managers and facility teams to minimize disruption to building occupants during maintenance and repair activities.
• Support emergency preparedness and building response procedures for HVAC and mechanical-system failures.

Senior-Level / Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject-matter resource for commercial HVAC systems and building mechanical operations.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to maintenance technicians and building engineers.
• Mentor Building Services team members for future development.
• Review troubleshooting approaches and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Assist in developing preventive maintenance procedures and improving maintenance programs.
• Help evaluate recurring equipment problems and identify root causes.
• Provide input regarding equipment replacement, modernization, energy conservation, and operational improvements.
• Assist management in evaluating contractor performance and technical recommendations.

Position Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required. 
• Minimum of 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in commercial HVAC maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting. 
• DC 3rd license
• Demonstrated experience maintaining HVAC systems in commercial buildings, office towers, or other large-scale facilities. 
• Experience performing preventive maintenance, diagnosing equipment issues, and coordinating HVAC repairs. 
• Experience providing technical guidance or mentoring to junior HVAC technicians preferred.
• Experience with VRF.

• Comprehensive knowledge of commercial HVAC systems, including: 

• Chillers, boilers, cooling towers, and pumps. 
• Air-handling units, rooftop units, and variable air volume (VAV) systems. 
• Split systems, package units, and exhaust systems. 
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning controls. 

• Strong understanding of refrigeration principles, thermodynamics, and HVAC system operation. 
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and control sequences. 
• Proficiency in electrical and mechanical troubleshooting, including the use of diagnostic tools and test equipment. 
• Knowledge of building automation systems (BAS), direct digital controls (DDC), and HVAC control systems. 
• Ability to identify equipment deficiencies, determine root causes, and recommend appropriate corrective actions. 
• Ability to perform preventive and predictive maintenance on HVAC equipment. 
• Knowledge of energy-efficient HVAC operation and opportunities for system optimization. 
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements, applicable safety regulations, and safe work practices related to HVAC and building maintenance.
• Understanding of refrigerant-handling regulations, environmental requirements, and proper refrigerant recovery and disposal procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with building management, clients, tenants, coworkers, contractors, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional, responsive, and courteous customer service.
• Ability to explain technical issues, repair recommendations, and equipment conditions clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize work orders and respond to urgent maintenance needs.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of an engineering team.

If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an application, please e-mail careers@akridge.com or call (202) 624-8626.
 
Akridge believes that diversity and inclusivity are essential to positive long-term success and achieving our strategic business goals. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we encourage diverse and talented applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.