Chief Engineer

The Museum Visitors Center, 5600 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77004, USA.

The Chief Engineer serves as a senior leader within the Engineering & Facilities Department, responsible not only for technical oversight of mechanical systems and daily operations across assigned MFAH facilities, but also for managing capital and operational projects. This role blends technical expertise, team leadership, and cross‑departmental coordination with advanced project planning, budgeting, vendor management, and stakeholder communication.

The Chief Engineer ensures that all facility systems operate safely, efficiently, and reliably while managing complex projects from concept to execution—including HVAC upgrades, electrical repairs, fire/life‑safety systems, exhibition‑driven modifications, and infrastructure improvements.

• Supervises Engineer Supervisors, Stationary Engineers, Engineer Apprentices and Building Services Assistants
• Oversees daily facility operations, ensuring uptime, safety, preventive maintenance completion, and rapid response to emergent issues.
• Makes work assignments, verifies completion, and ensures adherence to museum standards in the following areas: mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire/life‑safety, building controls, and general maintenance.
• Coordinates maintenance of specialty systems including fountains, backflows, generators, and vehicle maintenance.
• Ensures proper work order planning, follow‑through, closeout, and communication—especially for special events, exhibitions, and large‑scale museum programs.
• Operates aerial lifts, forklifts, and museum vehicles as needed to support assigned tasks.
• Ensures the department maintains full operational readiness during natural disasters or emergencies; serves as essential staff.

• Serves as the primary project owner for assigned MFAH capital infrastructure projects.
• Assist the Department Head with pre‑construction coordination with architects, vendors, and internal stakeholders to review drawings, site conditions, and operational constraints.
• Facilitates stakeholder meetings with Exhibitions, Curatorial, Development/Events, Conservation, Security, IT, and guest Services, providing clear timelines, site impacts, and risk forecasts.
• Ensures all projects comply with MFAH safety, collection protection standards, environmental controls, and risk‑management procedures.
• Leads capital, operational, and exhibition‑related projects from planning through execution, including scoping, scheduling, vendor coordination, quality control, and punch‑list completion.
• Prepares and maintains, schedules, progress updates, for assigned projects.
• Conducts regular project meetings, maintains documentation, and ensures timely communication to stakeholders—including Exhibitions, Security, Development/Events, IT, HR, and Senior Leadership.
• Supports the development of long‑term infrastructure renewal plans and asset‑management strategies.
• Creates an inspiring team environment with open communication, accountability, and high performance.
• Conducts coaching, performance evaluations, and professional development planning for engineering staff.
• Schedules shifts, on‑call rotations, and special event coverage in collaboration with the other chiefs.
• Promotes cross‑training, knowledge‑sharing, and career‑pathing within the team.
• Demonstrates strong decision‑making, conflict resolution, and department‑wide collaboration.
• Works closely with Exhibitions, Special Events, Development, Guest Services, Security, Conservation, IT, and other divisions to support museum operations, installations, and programs.
• Serves as a technical advisor for construction activities, event setup/breakdown, and infrastructure‑related planning.
• Provides timely operational updates to the Head of Engineering & Facilities, including risks, resource needs, and upcoming operational impacts.

• Advanced working knowledge of MFAH core systems, including:
• Johnson Controls METASYS Building Automation System
• Fire /Life Safety systems
• Elevator systems including…