Vice President of Building Engineering

Description

About Redwood Construction

Since 2001, Redwood Construction, Inc. has been the driving force behind Fowler Property Acquisitions, completing over $2.1 billion in renovations across 500+ properties. Our upbeat culture thrives on collaboration, reliability, and delivering top-notch quality while prioritizing sustainability. From elevating aesthetics to addressing maintenance needs and introducing eco-conscious enhancements. Redwood creates custom communities that are timeless and luxurious. Join our dynamic team, where every project is a celebration of excellence!

The Opportunity

A dynamic senior executive providing strategic leadership and technical oversight to ensure the optimal performance of all internal and external building systems across apartment communities—including mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire/life safety, elevators, and more. The Vice President of Building Engineering leverages exceptional organizational skills, innovative problem-solving, and creative thinking to deliver projects safely, on schedule, and within budget, while meeting all applicable codes and quality standards. This role is accountable for resolving escalated issues, driving continuous process improvement, and fostering team development. Success in this position requires a proven ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, applying experience and sound judgment to achieve goals with a high degree of creativity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Compensation: $160K–$200K, based on experience, licenses, certifications, and education, plus the opportunity to earn bonuses!

Portfolio Overview: This team member will support properties across the East Coast region, as well as select locations in Chicago, IL. This position also requires being on-call 24/7 for property-related emergencies.

Travel Requirements/ Office Location: This role requires up to 50% travel throughout the portfolio. When not traveling or conducting site visits, the team member will work from our Regional DC office in McLean, Virginia. For candidates not local to the area, we offer a relocation package.

What You’ll Own

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive engineering strategies aligned with the company’s business objectives and long-term vision.
• Manage the engineering department’s budget, including capital expenditures, resource allocation, and preventive maintenance planning.
• Provide leadership and development for the maintenance and engineering team, including scheduling, duties, and building automation systems.
  
  
  

Project Management

• Oversee scope, technical specifications, budget tracking, scheduling, material/equipment requirements, subcontractor/vendor bidding, and overall execution of cost-effective capital improvement, construction, and modernization projects.
• Manage capital projects involving major design changes, performance/process improvements, reliability analysis, and related enhancements.
• Evaluate existing elevator and fire/life safety systems, recommend improvements, and assist with modernization project management.
• Identify and evaluate potential building systems-related projects, providing recommendations that align with operational goals, budget constraints, and long-term asset performance.
• Participate in due diligence community evaluations to determine the condition of physical assets as well as making recommendations for improvements pertaining to processes or equipment.
  
  
  

Operations & Maintenance

• Conduct building system inspections as needed and maintain accurate documentation.
• Pre-diagnose and troubleshoot various building systems prior to scheduling repairs.
• Ensure physical aspects meet safety and operational standards through proactive problem-solving and preventive actions.
• Assist in maintaining the equipment inventory in the CMMS.
• Complete additional tasks or duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
  
  
  

Energy / Environmental Systems

• Maintain central systems with large mechanical assets including chillers, cooling towers, elevators, generators, fire systems, data centers, and critical environment.
• Actively provide technical engineering support for on-site teams regarding operation, improvements, replacements, and/or upgrades for building systems and equipment.
• Identify and recommend potential building systems-related projects.
  
  
  

Emergency Response

• Buildings are open 24/7 so the candidate will need to be comfortable being on call 24/7.
• Conducts start-up and shut-down tours.
• Monitor service call tracking systems and progress.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in building systems project management, including time in a senior leadership or management role within Multifamily or Hospitality sectors with a focus on central plant operations and overall major building systems.
• Minimum 5 years of experience with development, budgeting, and execution of capital improvement projects.
• Strong creative, organizational, problem solving, and time-management skills, and the ability to take a project from start to finish with minimal supervision.
• Advanced expertise in two or more trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, fire/life safety, elevators, etc.
• Strong working knowledge of all building systems including but not limited to MEP, commissioning, life and fire safety, elevator modernization, HVAC, and other centralized systems.
• Experience with energy management systems as well as mitigating indoor air quality and other environmental issues.
  
  
  

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (civil, structural, mechanical, or related discipline) or Construction Management required and 8+ Years experience OR 15+ years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license preferred
• EPA Universal Certification required
• OSHA 10-hour Certificate
• Stationary/Operator Engineers License preferred
• Must have at least two or more of the following certifications:
• NATE Core Service with Air Distribution Service Specialty
• RSES Certificate Member (or any higher level)
• HVAC Excellence Professional (light commercial air conditioning, gas heat, green awareness certification)
• BOMA – Systems Maintenance Tech
• SMA
• SMT
  
  
  

Tech Proficiency:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Intermediate proficiency in Word, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint, Yardi and Asana preferred
  
  
  

Requirements

Physical Demands:

• Physical demands may include the ability to lift up to 50 pounds. The team member will be regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and reach using feet, legs, back, arms and hands. The team member may occasionally be required to climb. Specific vision requirements include the ability to use close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The team member will be required to work at a personal computer. Must possess the ability to detect auditory and/or visual alarms and be available to work extended/flexible hours and weekends as needed.
  
  
  

Attendance/Travel:

• This position is a full-time position and may require the availability to work some nights, weekends, and occasional holidays. Regular attendance and active participation/planning at company functions and events is also required.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including domestic air travel and vehicle rental.
  
  
  

We Take Care of You

• Medical, Dental & Vision: Highlights include company-paid individual PPO-HSA plan (with $1,200 annual employer contribution); HMO options for California residents. Dental and vision premiums are fully covered for employees; coverage for dependents is available at an additional cost.
• Retirement Plans (401K): The company matches 1/3 of the employee's contribution up to 2% of the salary.
• Life & Disability Insurance: Up to $100,000 of life insurance and AD&D coverage, plus short- and long-term disability insurance. In addition, supplemental life for the employee, spouse, and children.
• Time Off: 11 paid holidays, 2–4 weeks of vacation based on years of service, and sick leave provided in compliance with state and local requirements.
• Referral Bonuses: $1,000 for eligible employee referrals.
• Volunteer Time Off: Up to 16 hours annually (8 for personal volunteer activities, 8 for company-sponsored events).
• Perks: Professional development, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, and more.
  
  
  

Our Commitment to Belonging

Redwood Construction is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful workplace where all individuals can thrive irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, or other protected classes.

Ready to Join Us?

Explore what it’s like to grow your career with a company that values people as much as performance. Learn more and apply today!

Note: This job description includes the core VP of Building Engineering responsibilities of Redwood Construction. Duties are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Redwood Construction is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons because of age, race, color, creed, religion, disability, gender, ethnic or national origin, or veteran status. Redwood Construction prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and will reasonably accommodate applicants with a disability, upon request, and will also ensure reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.