Union Building Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary:

The Building Engineer operates and maintains the assigned facility and all related systems/ components. Performs tours of areas and/or equipment as directed by management and required under contract specification. Performs preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, service calls, diagnostic services, and incidental, minor, and major repairs as required.

Pay Rate: $41.64 per hour. This is a union position

Shift: Shifts may include 10:00pm - 6:00am; 6:00am - 2:00pm; or 2:00pm - 10:00pm

Essential Job Functions:

• Perform preventive, predictive, and/or repair maintenance on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, including HVAC units, boilers, and chillers.
• Track equipment performance via Building Automation Systems (BAS) or Direct Digital Controls (DDC) to ensure optimal energy efficiency and environmental conditions.
• Respond to tenant service calls for minor repairs, such as fixing leaky plumbing fixtures, replacing light ballasts, or adjusting thermostats.
• Conduct critical and accurate routine building rounds to check for leaks, unusual noises, or safety hazards in mechanical rooms.  Confirm and log proper operations of all equipment, including pressures, temperatures, airflows, etc.
• Adhere strictly to OSHA standards, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and hazardous material handling.
• Startup, regulate, and safely shut down high-pressure steam boilers and large-tonnage centrifugal or air-cooled chillers.
• Conduct daily chemical analysis of boiler feed water and chilled water loops; blend and introduce treatments to prevent corrosion or scale.
• Record hourly readings of gauges, meters, and charts to track fuel usage, steam pressure, and refrigerant levels.
• Perform "punching tubes" (cleaning) on condensers, lubricating pump bearings, and replacing defective valves or traps.
• Diagnose malfunctions in auxiliary equipment, including feedwater pumps, cooling towers, and draft fans.
• Evaluate operational systems and facility infrastructure to ascertain and improve operational efficiencies. 
• Assist in planning and coordinating infrastructure and equipment maintenance schedules and activities. 
• Coordinate and oversee contractors performing maintenance activities. 
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, building codes, and health and safety standards. 
• Operate and maintain critical systems such as HVAC, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), generators, batteries, switchgear, life safety and building automated systems, and utility systems. 
• Make periodic inspections of all engineering systems and equipment and monitoring equipment operations, maintain equipment operating logs and operational reports as required. 
• Other duties as assigned
   

Required Skills, Experience, and Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent
• Specialized training in a trade field, preferred
• Minimum 5 years of engineering, HVAC, or facility maintenance experience working in a commercial facility or campus style setting such as a college, hospital, or government facility
• EPA Section 608 Universal
• Experience with troubleshooting and repair of commercial chillers and boilers
• Manufacturer training on chillers, boilers, and pumps, preferred
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance, upon hire
• Driver’s license
• Knowledge of basic refrigeration cycles and electrical circuits.
• Ability to troubleshoot minor equipment failures under minimal supervision.
• Ability to use work order management software (e.g., Asset Essentials or Facility Dude) to log labor and materials.
• Understanding of the basic steam cycle, thermodynamics, and refrigeration cycles.
• Proficiency with pneumatic and electronic controls, as well as precision testing equipment for combustion analysis.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Ability to proficiently speak English and communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders including team members, government personnel, and company leadership
• Ability to effectively time manage and complete tasks in an efficient manner

Physical Requirements and Working Environment 

Work takes place in a commercial size facility with varying noise levels due to machinery and equipment. There will be indoor/ outdoor exposure in varying weather conditions and temperatures.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 

•    Must be physically capable of stooping, standing, sitting. 
•    Must be physically capable of reaching with arms and fingers. 
•    Must be physically capable of lifting 50lbs. 
•    Must be physically capable of climbing ladders and performing overhead work. 
•    Must have the ability to maintain assigned work hours. 
•    Must have sufficient endurance to perform task over long periods of time.

Action Facilities Management, INC (AFM) - is a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) established in 2001 that provides services to government and commercial clients in ten states and the District of Columbia. AFM's core competencies are in the areas of Integrated Facilities Management such as Operations and Maintenance; Janitorial Services; Security Services; Emergency Management; and Administrative Support.