Building Engineer, Class A Office Tower

In a world of noise, we find the signal — the pulse of potential. We weave the strands of talent, vision, and purpose into organizations that endure. Blending intelligence with intuition, we honor the human art of connection at the heart of every great company.
ABOUT THE JOB
Run the systems that keep a downtown Bellevue tower working.
Our client has owned and operated office, retail, and residential properties on the West Coast for more than 50 years. They run their buildings with their own engineering team, so you work for the owner, not a contractor. This seat is in a Class A office tower in downtown Bellevue with onsite security, a gym, and cafes. Tenants in the company’s buildings include fertility clinics, where steady air, water, and power are part of the care.
Every day a tower full of people comes to work and never thinks about the air, the water, or the power. That’s your work. You’ll operate, maintain, and repair the plant behind it: chillers, boilers, pumps, compressors, generators, and power distribution, tied together through the building automation system. One hour you’re reading the automation system to chase down a comfort complaint. The next you’re aligning a pump, repairing a valve, or changing out a ballast.
Do it well and nobody upstairs loses a day to a hot floor or a dark hallway. When something does go wrong, you’re the calm one: you read the data, decide what happens first, and get the building back to normal. You’ll work under the building’s lead engineer and share the on-call rotation. It’s a 9-to-6 day shift, paid hourly with overtime.
THE MANDATE
This seat isn’t for someone who swaps parts without understanding the system, or who gets rattled when an alarm goes off.
It’s for an engineer who knows how a building’s systems are designed and how they work together, reads blueprints with ease, and can look at the data, decide what to do first, and do it. The right person stays calm in an emergency, works well on a team, and keeps learning the trade.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Operate, maintain, and repair the HVAC and refrigeration plant end to end: chillers, air and refrigerant compressors, condensers, evaporators, heaters, pumps, valves, refrigerant lines, and temperature controls
Keep the domestic water and sanitary systems working, from pumps and piping to restroom fixtures, drains, supply lines, and kitchen equipment
Maintain and repair the electric motors and engines that drive the fans, compressors, and pumps
Run the building automation system that controls the HVAC, from the consoles and data gathering panels to the remote sensors and indicators
Troubleshoot and repair boilers, generators, chemical treatment, power distribution, and the fire and life safety systems
Install, align, and balance equipment, new and existing
Handle lighting and general repairs: lamps, switches, fixtures, and ballasts where code allows, plus doors, locks, ceiling tiles, floors, tile, blinds, furniture, paint, and wall coverings
Work from the computerized work order and preventive maintenance systems
IDEAL PROFILE
A solid understanding of how building systems are designed and run: fire, domestic water, HVAC, and electrical distribution
Advanced blueprint reading
Able to analyze data and decide the time, place, and order of the work, then carry it out and report on it
Comfortable with the math: formulas and equations are part of the work
Able to run and read the lighting and building management systems, with general knowledge of PC-based programs, DDC controls, building automation, and security systems
Calm in an emergency and strong on a team
Ongoing training such as BOMA coursework, SMT or SMA, or training and experience with DDC
Preferred: BOC certification, an EPA refrigeration license, a Seattle refrigeration license, an 07 electrical license (or the training card for it), or BOMA designations
Preferred: a general understanding of BMS and controls systems and of fire and life safety; Siemens experience is a plus, not a must
Able to climb ladders and stairs, work in tight spaces, tell wire colors apart, inspect equipment by eye, and see or hear emergency alarms
Uses the trade’s tools and the right safety equipment for each task
LOCATION & WORK MODEL
Downtown Bellevue, WA
Full-time, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
On-call rotation
COMPENSATION
Pay: $85,000 to $95,000 a year. This is an hourly, non-exempt role, so overtime is paid.
Discretionary bonus
401(k) with a 5% company match
ABOUT THIS SEARCH
This search is being conducted by Signal & Strand, a boutique recruiting and people operations firm headquartered in Long Beach, CA with national and international reach, on behalf of our client. The company’s name will be shared with candidates as the conversation moves forward. Interested candidates and referrals can be directed to Kase Konkright, Founder, at [email protected]. All inquiries are held in confidence.
The Right Hire Changes Everything®
Base Compensation Range
$85,000—$95,000 USD
Equal Opportunity & Non-Discrimination Statement
Signal and Strand is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We—and our clients—do not discriminate in employment or contracting on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We comply fully with the provisions of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.

Skills
HVAC