Senior Building Engineer

Job Title: Senior Building Engineer

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours: Full-Time (Sunday - Thursday; 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM)

Pay Rate: Starts at $24.16/hour

Summary:

As the Senior Building Engineer, you will be responsible for the oversight, maintenance, and optimization of all building systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems, at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. You will manage a team of engineers and technicians, work on high-priority mechanical systems, and lead projects that support both the infrastructure and daily operations of the zoo. Your technical expertise and leadership will ensure the zoo’s mechanical systems are running efficiently and safely, contributing to the exceptional guest and animal experiences the zoo provides. If you're passionate about mechanical systems, energy efficiency, leadership, and continuous professional development, this is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic team and make a meaningful impact on the daily operations of one of the top zoos in the world. Join us at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and play an integral role in maintaining the infrastructure that supports our animals, staff, and visitors.

This position reports directly to the Supervisor of Building Engineering and provides a clear pathway for advancement within the engineering department.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Lead & Mentor Engineering Team – Provide technical leadership to engineers and technicians, ensuring proper maintenance, troubleshooting, and system optimization. Foster a collaborative and safe working environment.
• Troubleshoot & Repair Critical Systems – Perform advanced diagnostics and repairs on HVAC, pneumatic, electrical, plumbing, life safety systems, emergency power systems, and other critical systems.
• Optimize Building Systems – Focus on improving system efficiency and performance by utilizing advanced strategies such as predictive maintenance, energy optimization, and system upgrades. Analyze system data to identify inefficiencies and implement solutions.
• Manage Preventative & Reactive Maintenance – Oversee both preventive and emergency maintenance activities to ensure the zoo’s systems are operating safely and without interruptions. Develop and manage maintenance schedules.
• Work with Building Management Systems (BMS) – Utilize Building Management Systems (BMS) to monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot HVAC, electrical, and other critical systems. Experience with Schneider products preferred.
• Project Management & Oversight – Lead building system projects, from installation and upgrades to retrofits. Work with vendors, contractors, and other internal departments to ensure successful project completion on time and within budget.
• Collaborate Across Departments – Work closely with other departments to ensure building systems meet operational needs, including animal care and guest services.
• Safety Compliance & Reporting – Ensure all systems and projects comply with safety regulations (OSHA, EPA) and local codes. Maintain thorough documentation of system performance, maintenance work, and compliance audits.
• Emergency Response – Be the primary responder for urgent system failures, troubleshooting and repairing under pressure to restore operations swiftly and efficiently.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in building systems maintenance, with a deep understanding of HVAC, plumbing, electrical systems, life safety systems, and energy management.
• A Third Grade Stationary Engineer’s license (or the ability to acquire one within one year) and any other relevant certifications.