Chief Engineer

Position Summary

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.

Key Responsibilities & Core Operational Scope

Operational Leadership

• 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.
  
  

Project Management Responsibilities

• 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.
  
  

Team Leadership & Staff Development

• 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.
  
  

Cross‑Departmental Coordination

• 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.
  
  

Skills, Knowledge, & Abilities

Technical Expertise

• Advanced working knowledge of MFAH core systems, including:
• Johnson Controls METASYS Building Automation System
• Fire /Life Safety systems
• Emergency generator systems
• Commercial chiller plants
• Elevator systems including coordination for outages, upgrades, and redundancy planning
• Flood-mitigation systems, sump networks, and storm-readiness protocols
• Strong working knowledge of A/C systems, boilers, chillers, AHUs, BAS controls, electrical systems, plumbing, and auxiliary equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply building drawings, equipment submittals, O&M manuals, and specifications.
• Ability to write, adapt, and implement SOPs, safety protocols, and preventive/ reactive maintenance procedures.
• Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.
  

Leadership & Interpersonal Skills

• Strong communication skills with the ability to interact effectively across all levels of the museum.
• Ability to build trust, resolve conflicts, give and receive feedback, and promote teamwork.
• Exercises discretion, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
• Ability to work on‑call and respond to after‑hours emergencies.
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift heavy equipment and perform physical work including climbing, bending, stooping, and kneeling.
• Must have a valid Texas driver’s license and a good driving record.
  
  

Education & Experience

• City of Houston Engineer License ( 2nd Grade preferred)
• Minimum 8 years experience as a stationary engineer or equivalent technical discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience overseeing engineering or facility staff.
• Proven experience in project management, capital projects, or construction supervision.
• Experience working in a museum, cultural institution, hospital, or similar complex facility strongly preferred.
• Experience with BAS systems such as METASYS is a plus.
  
  

Other Duties

Performs additional tasks as assigned by the Head of Engineering & Facilities to support departmental and organizational priorities.

Equal Opportunities for All

At the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston we believe that diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusivity are fundamental to our organization. We welcome all candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our organization and to our pledge for workplace diversity, inclusion, and excellence.

Our commitment to our policy and practice of nondiscrimination represents more than good intentions. It provides for employment decisions that are made without regard to race, creed, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected characteristic as established by law or any other reason unrelated to your ability to join and contribute to our organization and support our mission to provide a museum experience for all.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is equally committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals interested in employment with the organization. As part of this commitment, we want to ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation needed to 1) participate in the job application or 2) interview process; 3) perform essential job functions; and/or 4) participate in the benefits and privileges of employment with the MFAH. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the human resources department: HR@mfah.org