Chief Engineer job description.
A chief engineer oversees the maintenance, repair, and operation of a facility's mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems, leading the engineering and maintenance team. They develop preventive maintenance programs, manage the department's budget and contractors, and ensure compliance with safety codes. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with team leadership.
The Chief Engineer job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 9 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Chief Engineer Reports to: General Manager or Director of Facilities
A chief engineer oversees the maintenance, repair, and operation of a facility's mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems, leading the engineering and maintenance team. They develop preventive maintenance programs, manage the department's budget and contractors, and ensure compliance with safety codes. The role combines hands-on technical expertise with team leadership.
- Oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of building or facility mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems
- Lead and supervise the engineering and maintenance team
- Develop preventive maintenance schedules and equipment inspection programs
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
9 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
5 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
General Manager or Director of Facilities
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of building or facility mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems
- Lead and supervise the engineering and maintenance team
- Develop preventive maintenance schedules and equipment inspection programs
- Manage the engineering department's budget, supplies, and contractor relationships
- Ensure compliance with safety codes, building regulations, and environmental standards
- Respond to and troubleshoot equipment failures and emergency repairs
- Coordinate capital improvement projects and system upgrades
- Maintain accurate maintenance logs and equipment records
- Train staff on safety procedures and proper equipment operation
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Extensive experience in facilities engineering, maintenance, or a related technical field
- Relevant trade licensure/certification as required by state and employer (e.g., HVAC, electrical)
- Strong knowledge of building systems, codes, and safety regulations
- Proven experience supervising maintenance or engineering staff
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field
- Experience managing capital improvement or renovation projects
- Certification in energy management or building automation systems
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Chief Engineer job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Chief Engineer job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The senior band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (General Manager or Director of Facilities) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- What qualifications does a chief engineer need?
- Employers typically look for extensive facilities or building engineering experience, relevant trade licensure as required by state and employer, and a proven track record leading maintenance teams.
- What's the difference between a chief engineer and a facilities manager?
- A chief engineer usually focuses on the technical operation and maintenance of building systems, while a facilities manager oversees broader facility operations including space planning, vendors, and administrative functions — though responsibilities can overlap depending on the organization.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Facilities Manager
A Facilities Manager oversees the maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of a building or property portfolio.
Maintenance Manager
A Maintenance Manager oversees the upkeep, repair, and reliability of a facility's equipment, systems, and grounds.
Building Engineer
A building engineer maintains and repairs the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems that keep a commercial or residential property running safely and efficiently.
This Chief Engineer job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.