Building Engineer

Position Summary

The Building Engineer supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a newly constructed theater in Newark, New Jersey.

During construction turnover and opening, this position will work with the Chief Engineer, construction team, commissioning agents, equipment manufacturers, and service contractors. The engineer will help test and accept building systems, identify deficiencies, track warranty work, establish preventive maintenance requirements, and prepare the facility for opening.

Once the theater is operational, the Building Engineer will perform general preventive maintenance, troubleshoot building systems, complete repairs within the position’s qualifications, and coordinate licensed contractors for specialized or regulated work.

This position requires an experienced, hands-on building engineer who can identify problems, determine the right course of action, manage contractors, document work accurately, and respond effectively in an event-driven environment.

Essential Responsibilities

Construction Turnover and Opening Readiness

• Participate in the transition of the facility from construction to operations.
• Support the commissioning, testing, start-up, and verification of building systems.
• Attend training provided by contractors, manufacturers, and equipment vendors.
• Review operating manuals, warranties, as-built drawings, control sequences, and preventive maintenance requirements.
• Help identify, document, prioritize, and track construction deficiencies and punch-list items.
• Learn equipment locations, emergency shutoffs, building controls, and operating procedures.
• Verify receipt of tools, replacement parts, keys, access credentials, equipment records, and technical documentation.
• Help establish preventive maintenance schedules, operating rounds, equipment records, and standard operating procedures.
• Document equipment problems that may be covered by construction or manufacturer warranties.
• Coordinate contractor access and follow-up for warranty and corrective work.
• Support inspections, rehearsals, soft openings, performances, and other operational-readiness activities.

Building Operations and Maintenance

• Inspect, monitor, troubleshoot, and support the operation of facility systems, including:
• Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning equipment
• Boilers and hydronic systems
• Electrical distribution, emergency power, and lighting
• Plumbing and domestic water systems
• Pumps, motors, fans, and mechanical equipment
• Building automation and control systems
• Doors, locks, hardware, and architectural components
• Fire and life-safety equipment
• Restroom, concession, kitchen, and back-of-house building systems
• Complete routine preventive maintenance and corrective work orders.
• Perform general building repairs within the engineer’s training, qualifications, and authorized scope.
• Conduct building rounds and accurately record equipment readings, conditions, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• Identify equipment failures and take appropriate steps to protect people, property, and continued operations.
• Monitor the building automation system and respond to alarms, temperature issues, and abnormal conditions.
• Maintain accurate equipment, inspection, and work-order records in the computerized maintenance management system.
• Identify recurring failures and recommend lasting corrective solutions.
• Support utility management, energy conservation, and efficient equipment operation.
• Maintain mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, engineering shops, rooftops, and work areas in a safe and orderly condition.
• Follow lockout/tagout, confined-space, fall-protection, hot-work, and other required safety procedures.
• Escalate work requiring a licensed operator, certified technician, specialty trade, or authorized service provider.

Contractor and Vendor Management

• Identify when work must be completed by a licensed or specialized contractor.
• Obtain and evaluate service proposals within established purchasing procedures.
• Verify that contractors have the required licenses, insurance, qualifications, and site authorization before beginning work.
• Clearly communicate the problem, required outcome, facility constraints, and event schedule.
• Coordinate contractor access, security clearance, shutdowns, and work areas.
• Monitor contractor performance, safety, cleanliness, and compliance with theater requirements.
• Confirm that completed work resolves the underlying issue before closing the work order.
• Collect service reports, inspection records, permits, warranties, and closeout documentation.
• Track open contractor work and follow through until completion.
• Help manage recurring service agreements and required equipment inspections.
• Escalate performance, safety, cost, or schedule concerns to the Chief Engineer or Facilities Manager.
• Never perform regulated or licensed work unless personally qualified and authorized to do so.

Theater and Event Support

• Complete pre-event inspections of critical systems and public areas.
• Confirm that temperature, lighting, plumbing, power, elevators, and other building conditions are ready before doors open.
• Respond to operating problems during rehearsals, performances, load-ins, load-outs, and special events.
• Resolve issues without unnecessarily disrupting guests, performers, productions, or theater operations.
• Coordinate with theater management, production teams, security, janitorial services, contractors, and other operating partners.
• Understand the division of responsibility between base-building systems and theatrical production systems.
• Support emergency response and recovery during equipment, building, or utility failures.
• Communicate unresolved conditions, risks, and required follow-up during shift turnover.

Leadership and Service Expectations

• Work independently and make sound decisions within established authority.
• Take ownership of assigned work through completion.
• Protect the guest experience while maintaining safe engineering practices.
• Recognize when an issue requires escalation or specialized support.
• Provide clear direction to contractors and verify the quality of completed work.
• Communicate clearly with theater personnel, contractors, clients, and CREW leadership.
• Maintain a professional appearance and conduct appropriate for a high-profile public venue.
• Be dependable, responsive, and prepared for changing event and operating schedules.
• Be a pleasure to work with.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of hands-on experience operating and maintaining commercial, institutional, hospitality, entertainment, or similarly complex facilities.
• Broad working knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, building automation, and general building systems.
• Demonstrated ability to identify equipment problems, troubleshoot basic failures, and determine when specialized support is required.
• Experience coordinating and overseeing service contractors and equipment vendors.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, equipment manuals, control diagrams, and sequences of operation.
• Experience completing preventive maintenance and documenting work through a CMMS or work-order system.
• Working knowledge of workplace safety practices and the proper use of personal protective equipment.
• Ability to work independently and respond appropriately to urgent building conditions.
• Ability to organize multiple open work orders, contractor visits, and operational priorities.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, rotating shifts, and on-call assignments.
• Valid driver’s license if driving is required for the assignment.

Specific boiler, electrical, HVAC, refrigeration, plumbing, fire-protection, or other trade licenses are not required for this position unless subsequently determined to be necessary based on the facility’s equipment or operating requirements. Work requiring a licensed professional will be assigned to an appropriately licensed employee or qualified contractor.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience commissioning, opening, or transitioning a newly constructed facility into operations.
• Experience in a theater, performing-arts center, arena, stadium, hotel, convention center, or other event-driven facility.
• Experience with modern building automation systems.
• Familiarity with construction punch lists, warranty administration, and contractor coordination.
• Familiarity with emergency generators, boilers, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, elevators, and other critical building equipment.
• OSHA 10- or OSHA 30-hour training.
• EPA Section 608 certification or other relevant technical credentials are helpful but not required.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Regularly stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and work in mechanical spaces.
• Safely use ladders, stairs, lifts, hand tools, power tools, and testing equipment.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds, using assistance when appropriate.
• Work at heights and in confined, hot, cold, noisy, dusty, or outdoor environments.
• Access rooftops, mechanical rooms, catwalks, loading areas, and other facility spaces.
• Hear equipment alarms and recognize changing operating conditions.
• Wear required personal protective equipment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Measures of Success

• Safe and reliable operation of the theater’s building systems.
• Successful construction turnover and operational opening.
• Timely completion and accurate documentation of preventive maintenance.
• Effective identification and management of warranty issues.
• Appropriate use and effective management of licensed contractors.
• Timely response to equipment failures and building deficiencies.
• Facility readiness before every performance and event.
• Clean, safe, and organized engineering spaces.
• Strong working relationships with theater personnel, contractors, clients, and fellow team members.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CREW Facility Services is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made based on qualifications, performance, and business needs without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This description summarizes the general nature and level of work expected. Duties may change based on the operating requirements of the theater.

Pay: $32.00 - $45.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $32 - $45