Sr Building Systems Engineer

Location: New York

5 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Avalon Bay Communities, Inc., an equity REIT, has a long‑term track record of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing distinctive apartment homes in some of the best U.S. markets, delivering outsized, risk‑adjusted returns to shareholders.

Creating a better way to live is our purpose. We focus on collaboration, innovation, and ownership to create value for customers, investors, and associates.

The Role

The Senior Building Systems Engineer provides technical assistance and troubleshooting for building systems across a real‑estate portfolio. The role improves equipment reliability, supports preventive maintenance, manages Cap Ex projects, and evaluates building assets for process enhancements. The associate works closely with portfolio directors, on‑site maintenance teams, and other stakeholders to ensure smooth operations and continuous improvements.

Essential Job Functions Community Support

• Provide engineering and technical support for onsite teams, including system troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and process improvements
• Assist with selecting equipment and managing vendor services
• Address recurring or significant building system issues and recommend improvements

Mechanical Evaluations

• Perform or assist with evaluations of community assets, identify opportunities for improvements, and make recommendations for building system efficiency
• Identify and recommend building repair or improvement projects

Cap Ex Project Management

• Manage capital expenditure projects focused on major system design changes, reliability improvements, and process changes
• Oversee project execution from planning to closeout

Redevelopment, Investments & Cap Ex Technical Support

• Review and provide feedback on mechanical system upgrades for redevelopment projects
• Develop equipment specifications for building system projects and assist in investment decisions related to acquisitions or dispositions

New Construction Support

• Participate in new development reviews for building systems, equipment selection, and maintenance logistics
• Support commissioning, startup, training, and acceptance of building systems

Retail/Other Services Support

• Assist with technical aspects of retail services, such as system coordination, solar installations, EV charging, and FIOS installations

Acceptance Support

• Provide technical support during the building commissioning process, from system acceptance to startup training for maintenance teams

Quality Improvements

• Identify areas for product and process improvement related to equipment durability
• Maintain records of issues and implement changes to ensure compliance with quality standards

Reliability

• Conduct root cause analysis on equipment failures, analyze data, and recommend maintenance methods to improve reliability and reduce costs

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field preferred
• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance
• Ability to obtain local mechanical certifications (preferred)
• 8+ years of engineering support in the real‑estate industry (preferred)
• Experience with high‑rise, midrise, and garden‑style buildings
• 5+ years in capital project management, budgeting, and execution
• Familiarity with MEP systems, HVAC, fire safety systems, building envelope systems, and energy management

Skills & Abilities

• Strong customer service orientation and troubleshooting skills
• Advanced understanding of building systems including HVAC, chillers, boilers, and energy systems
• Analytical skills for identifying reliability improvements and cost‑saving opportunities
• Experience with hands‑on system troubleshooting and equipment repair
• Ability to mentor and train team members on building system operations and maintenance

Physical Demands

• Ability to frequently lift objects up to 75 pounds, as well as climb, stoop, kneel, and crawl
• Mobility and flexibility to navigate complex building systems and mechanical areas
• Exposure to wet, humid conditions, mechanical parts, high places, fumes, airborne particles, and toxic chemicals
• Frequent interaction with central HVAC systems, cooling towers, and other mechanical equipment

Working Environment

• Exposure to wet, humid conditions,…