Chief Engineer

Job Description:

Chief Engineer – Seattle About Us

Urban Villages Inc. is a mission-driven real estate development and management company committed to creating sustainable and impactful properties. We believe in harmonizing planet with profit and delivering remarkable outcomes through innovative solutions. Our team thrives on being problem solvers and innovators, demanding rigor in all we do to deliver significant impact. As we continue to grow, we are looking for passionate individuals who share our commitment to these core principles.

We are seeking a Chief Engineer with great interpersonal skills, experience maintaining a variety of commercial building types, and a disciplined attention to detail to join our growing Seattle team. The ideal candidate will have experience working in downtown Seattle, with industry knowledge and professional contacts specific to this market. The Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing engineering and maintenance operations across the portfolio of commercial and retail properties located at the Rail Spur project.

This role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of all building systems including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and energy management while supervising maintenance staff and managing both tenant and vendor relationships. This position reports to the Director of Facilities and works closely with the Chief Curation Officer and Property Manager.

Rail Spur is a three-building mixed-use development in Seattle’s historic Pioneer Square, seamlessly integrating office, retail, restaurant, and hotel spaces across meticulously restored brick warehouses. The buildings are connected by a revitalized alleyway where the Northern Pacific Railroad once ran—now transformed into a vibrant pedestrian corridor and cultural destination. The Rail Spur tenant mix includes some of the city’s most acclaimed restaurateurs and creative leaders.

With nearby stadiums, art galleries, and performance venues, the neighborhood thrives as a hub of energy and activity. The Rail Spur block is uniquely positioned to serve as a constantly evolving platform for events, activations, and community engagement.

• Lead day-to-day engineering and building operations across all property types.
• Ensure uninterrupted operation of all critical systems: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, elevators, and building automation systems.
• Implement and oversee preventive maintenance schedules as well as staff schedules and on-call coverage.
• Manage and develop a building engineer, providing training, mentorship, and performance evaluations.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement in the engineering team.
• Resolve technical challenges and provide solutions to ensure team success and mitigate risks.

• Ensure compliance with local and state building codes, OSHA standards, and environmental regulations.
• Oversee fire/life safety programs, emergency response readiness, and inspections.
• Maintain all compliance records, permits, and certificates.

• Coordinate Capital Expense project, system upgrades, renovations, and vendor work.
• Collaborate with managers and director on budgeting and long-term planning.
• Evaluate bids, manage contractors, and oversee project execution.
• Monitor project progress, identifying potential issues, and taking corrective action.

• Assist in the preparation and management of engineering budgets, including repair and maintenance, operating expenses, and capital improvements.
• Monitor energy consumption and implement cost-saving/efficiency initiatives.
• Track and report on maintenance, work order completion, unit turn-overs, and asset condition.

• Collaborate with Director of Facilities, Property Managers and other stakeholders to prioritize and align project goals with business objectives.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between different teams to ensure seamless integration and execution of projects.
• Champion effective teamwork and communication…