Senior Engineer – Base Building Systems (Owner-Operator)

Compensation

• Salary Range: $130,000 – $150,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and technical depth.
• Candidates with strong electrical, central plant, BAS, and high‑tech campus experience may be considered at the upper end of the range.
• Overtime, on‑call, and after‑hours work are compensated in accordance with company policy and applicable labor regulations.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off (PTO), sick leave, and paid holidays
• Professional development and training support, including technical certifications
• Company‑provided tools, PPE, and technology
• Opportunities to work in a stable owner‑operator environment (not contract churn)
• Exposure to advanced building systems, digital platforms, and modernization initiatives

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Engineer – Base Building Systems to join the engineering team supporting a large, Class‑A technology‑focused commercial campus in Palo Alto. This is a hands‑on, senior technical role responsible for the operation, maintenance, and reliability of owner‑owned base‑building (core & shell) systems that support multiple high‑profile technology tenants. The position plays a critical role in protecting tenant uptime, maintaining infrastructure reliability, and ensuring safe, compliant building operations. The Senior Engineer works closely with engineering leadership and collaborates regularly with tenant facility managers and tenant engineers where building systems interface with tenant environments. Note: This role focuses exclusively on base‑building systems. It does not include maintenance of tenant‑owned equipment inside tenant spaces.

Key Responsibilities

Base Building Operations & Reliability

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot owner‑owned building systems, including:
  • Central HVAC plants and air distribution systems
  • Base‑building electrical distribution systems
  • Emergency, standby, and life‑safety power systems
  • Plumbing, domestic water, and hydronic systems
  • Fire and life‑safety systems
  • Building Automation / Management Systems (BAS / BMS)
• Ensure continuous, safe, and efficient operation of shared infrastructure serving technology tenants.
• Act as a senior technical escalation resource for alarms, outages, and abnormal operating conditions.
• Participate in after‑hours work and on‑call rotation for critical systems.

Advanced Troubleshooting & Diagnostics

• Independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, and controls‑related issues.
• Analyze BMS trends, alarms, metering data, and analytics to identify root causes.
• Identify recurring issues and recommend corrective actions or system improvements.
• Support commissioning, re‑commissioning, and functional performance testing activities.

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

• Execute and continuously improve preventive maintenance programs.
• Identify early indicators of equipment degradation or failure.
• Provide input on SOPs, maintenance strategies, and task optimization.
• Ensure accurate documentation of work performed and system conditions.

Digital Building Systems & Technology Adoption

• Learn, adopt, and effectively use existing building technology platforms, including:
  • Building Automation / Management Systems (BAS / BMS)
  • IWMS / CMMS platforms
  • Advanced alarming, fault detection, and diagnostics tools
  • Energy metering, analytics, and performance dashboards
  • AI‑augmented document management and digital SOPs
• Use digital tools to support troubleshooting, maintenance planning, and documentation.
• Maintain strong data discipline to support long‑term knowledge retention.

Tenant Coordination

• Coordinate with tenant facility managers and tenant engineers on:
  • System interfaces
  • Planned shutdowns and testing
  • Tenant comfort or operational issues tied to shared systems
• Support tenant buildouts impacting base‑building systems while maintaining owner standards.

Vendor & Contractor Oversight

• Oversee contractors performing base‑building maintenance and repairs.
• Verify quality, safety, and scope compliance.
• Assist with scope development and field coordination.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and regulations.
• Enforce lockout/tagout, arc‑flash, and confined space procedures.
• Participate in emergency response and incident investigations.

Documentation & Knowledge Transfer

• Maintain system documentation and logs.
• Assist with institutional knowledge capture.
• Mentor junior engineers and technicians.

Qualifications

Required

• 7+ years of experience in commercial or high‑tech facility engineering
• Strong hands‑on expertise with HVAC, electrical, and BAS systems
• Proven ability to independently troubleshoot complex systems
• Experience in multi‑tenant or mission‑critical environments
• Ability to quickly adopt new building technology platforms
• Strong communication skills and tenant‑facing professionalism

Preferred

• Trade school, Associate’s, or bachelor’s degree
• Universal EPA (CFC), electrical/mechanical licenses, OSHA‑30
• Experience supporting Palo Alto / Silicon Valley tech campuses
• Experience with IWMS, CMMS, advanced BMS, or centralized alarming systems
• Exposure to AI‑assisted knowledge or digital asset platforms

Physical Requirements

• Lift up to 50 lbs
• Access rooftops, mechanical rooms, and electrical spaces
• Work safely in active plant environments

Why Join Us

• Stable and reputable owner‑operator environment (not third‑party churn)
• Support top‑tier technology tenants
• Exposure to advanced systems and digital facility operations
• Long‑term growth path toward Assistant Chief / Chief Engineer roles

Company Description

Sand Hill Property specializes in acquiring, developing, and managing a diverse portfolio that includes office, life science, retail, residential, hotel, and mixed‑use communities. With over 40 years of experience and more than 20 million square feet of projects, it follows a long‑term ownership strategy, emphasizing value creation, high‑performance assets, and community‑focused development across the Bay Area.