Job Details

Chief Engineer

  2025-07-10     Cowles Real Estate     Spokane,WA  
Description:

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Cowles Real Estate is a subsidiary of Cowles Company, located in Spokane, Washington, for over one hundred years. The company owns and manages property located throughout the Western United States, including vacant land, office buildings, retail structures, residential complexes, and industrial sites. The mission of Cowles Real Estate is to provide superior real estate services, including leasing, sales, and property management.

We provide real estate leasing, sales, construction, and property management services as well as security, janitorial, facilities engineering, and parking garage services. All our building and land holdings are meticulously managed and maintained by our in-house staff members, providing a superior environment for our tenants, employees, and the community alike!

Status:Full-time, Exempt

Salary:$80-95K/annually

Hours:Monday-Friday, 7 am-4:30 pm, weekends as needed, some travel required.

About this position:This position serves in managing all portfolio operations and logistics within the entire Cowles Real Estate portfolio. They will be responsible for the daily operations of the property portfolio, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, other mechanical systems, fire and safety systems, LEED and EnergyStar implementation and tracking, and all YARDI Facility Manager items. Ensures all mechanical systems are operational and safe. Manage engineering staff and vendors to coordinate preventative maintenance, tenant improvements, and special projects. Other duties include forecasting, proposing, and submitting operational & capital expenditure budgets. The Chief Engineer will also review all new build and tenant improvement projects with the Director of Operations, including contracts, which will involve liaising with general/sub-contractors, ensuring Cowles Real Estate standards, including on-time and on-budget completion of each project. The Chief Engineer may be asked to travel to different markets to review our portfolio systems.

What you'll do:

  • Develop and maintain long-term facilities maintenance plans.
  • Coordinate building construction projects and contractors.
  • Manage various maintenance repairs as they come up with our commercial and residential tenants, including but not limited to electrical, plumbing, drywall, and HVAC repairs.
  • Manage service and repair the facilities' HVAC systems, including boilers and air handling systems.
  • Implement, manage, and evaluate operational processes and procedures in accordance with the standards and procedures set by the organization.
  • Develop and supervise engineering staff. Responsible for training, scheduling, coaching, and annual reviews,
  • Work with the Director of Operations on all hiring and dismissing engineering staff.
  • Manage building repairs and maintenance to include, but not limited to: drywall, painting and stripping, filters, and tile work.
  • Ensure that operational processes stay within agreed-upon budgets and timelines, review and update the Commercial Property Manager.
  • Negotiate, manage, and review all outsourced contracts and the quality of work done by out-sourced companies, such as but not limited to janitorial services, window cleaners, trash removal services, HVAC, Elevator/Escalator, and potential others.
  • Oversee the day-to-day output of various departments and work with direct reports on maintaining operational efficiency with regards to Building Maintenance, Parking Facilities, and work with the staff to resolve any problems.
  • Liaison between new store construction contractors and Cowles Real Estate, focusing on the construction side of the project, i.e., walls, paint, and coordinating with surrounding tenants.
  • Manage and coordinate seasonal cleanings, such as window washing and snow removal around the facilities.
  • Manage the center's supply inventory, including but not limited to food court trays, utility carts, and janitorial cleaning supplies.
  • Oversee and comply with fire code administration.
  • Manage all aspects of physical set-up and coordination for all special events and functions to include but not limited to: First Night, Bloomsday, Hoopfest, Santa's Arrival, etc.
  • Coordinate schedule and set-up for the main Christmas tree assembly between local unions and River Park Square.
  • Lead the engineering team in utilizing the electronic work order system.
  • Other duties as either assigned or arising in the natural course of managerial leadership.
  • Responsible for all equipment in buildings and operational efficiency of the building's energy systems
  • Track and evaluate electrical and water consumption and the tenant's bill back.
  • Create/maintain and oversee the building's preventative maintenance schedule and work completion.
  • Supervise the completion of daily work orders and projects.
  • Order parts as needed for the department.
  • Ensure buildings are in strict accordance with fire and safety codes.
  • Evaluate building systems and make recommendations for repairs and replacements when necessary.
  • Supervise and manage tool inventory and company vehicles used by maintenance staff.
  • Responsible for hazardous waste management.
  • Manage the safety and accident prevention program.
  • Create procedures and job aids for all equipment.
  • Develop and manage the expense budget for the engineering department.

What you'll contribute to our team:

  • 4-5 yrs. experience, including leadership
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Advanced knowledge of Electrical Work.
  • HVAC Knowledge required.
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, contracts, and other documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
  • Ability to speak effectively before groups of internal customers or employees of the organization.
  • Requires a higher level of customer relations skills. Must be able to respond to a variety of customer requests while operating within established guidelines.
  • Ability to deal effectively and tactfully with a varied customer base.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
  • Previous and intermediate operations management skills are required, i.e., overseeing, designing, and controlling processes and services efficiently to provide maximum results. Will work closely with multiple departments, agencies, and vendors and utilize great interpersonal skills to coordinate with each to ensure the completeness and accuracy of tasks and projects. Have a thorough understanding of the permitting process within City Hall in order to successfully manage operations at the various facilities. Can relate to and communicate with customers and tenants alike. Available for emergency work as required, including call-ins. Works independently and consistently reports to the Commercial Property Manager of the property on the status of tasks and projects

What we offer:

We are a family-owned and operated multi-business organization with a heart for the community we serve and our employees. We set you up for success by providing the necessary tools and training needed to succeed in your position. We provide:

  • A friendly, supportive, and professional team atmosphere
  • Competitive wages and benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K matching, Employee Assistance Programs, and so much more!
  • We believe work/life balance is key to continued success. We offer Vacation, Sick Time, Paid Holidays, and Floating Holidays!

For a detailed review of our benefits, please visit

What Next?

Create your candidate profile at complete all required fields, and upload any supporting documents such as a resume, cover letter, references, and examples of work! At the end of your profile creation, simply pick the position(s) you would like to apply for and press "submit." It's that easy!

If you already have a company profile, log in and update your information where necessary, and apply to the open requisition.

If you need assistance with creating or logging into your candidate profile, please email careers @ cowlesco.com (no spaces) and an HR representative will respond as quickly as possible.

Cowles Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates selected for hire will be required to submit a background check.

Drug Testing applies to safety-sensitive and driving positions.

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Director

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Full-time

Job function

  • Job function

    Engineering and Information Technology

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