HOA Chief Engineer (CA)

Introduction

Seabreeze Management Company is a full-service property management firm with a diverse management portfolio of over 90,000 residential and commercial properties. Based in Aliso Viejo, California, Seabreeze has offered an unrivaled client experience to commercial common-interest developments and homeowners’ associations for over 30 years. With offices throughout California and Nevada, Seabreeze has expanded its mission to be a trusted advisor and collaborative partner with developments to build thriving associations through superior service and integrity.

At Seabreeze, people are at the heart of what we do. Our philosophy, “Passion when combined with commitment, makes anyone unstoppable” is carried out by enthusiastic and customer‑centric teams who serve the communities where we work and live.

Summary

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, safety, and oversight of all building systems within the Serif HOA & 950-974 Market Master Association. This includes supervising engineering and maintenance staff, managing vendors, ensuring completion of all preventive and corrective maintenance, and responding to emergencies. The Chief Engineer must provide professional communication, accountability, and leadership, maintaining the property to the highest operational standards. He / She may stand a shift, work with the tools of his / her trade, and be available for emergencies 24 / 7.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Building Operations & Maintenance

Oversee, operate, and maintain all major building systems :

HVAC & hydronic systems

Generator & Sump pumps

Domestic hot water & booster systems

Electrical distribution, motors, VFDs

Fire‑life‑safety systems (sprinklers, smoke control, alarms)

Access control & security systems

Trash compaction equipment

Plumbing

Elevators

Perform preventative maintenance according to manufacturer and property standards.

Conduct daily property walks, weekly inspections, and document all findings.

Troubleshoot and repair, or obtain bids for plumbing, electrical, mechanical, carpentry, and general maintenance issues.

Ensure equipment rooms remain clean, organized, safe, and code‑compliant.

Perform daily maintenance activities.

Perform duties related to plumbing, electrical, HVAC, painting, drywall / carpentry, pressure washing, and any other maintenance needs related to the designated property.

Troubleshooting water leaks, electrical problems, noises, vibrations, odors, etc.

Perform unscheduled and emergency repairs as required.

Perform or assist with any operations as required to maintain workflow and meet schedules.

Notify supervision of unusual equipment or operating problems and the need for additional materials and supplies.

Operate and maintain fire life safety systems including fire sprinklers, smoke exhaust fan systems, damper controllers, variable frequency drives, control centers and security systems.

Operate, maintain and test run Emergency power generation systems and log readings.

Complete Management reports and forms as required.

Ensure all PM tasks are logged in the work‑order system with dates, notes, and outcomes.

Report deferred PM tasks immediately to the General Manager.

Develop, maintain, and revise a formal preventive maintenance (PM) schedule for all building systems.

Identify and report any deferred maintenance or system concerns to the General Manager.

Create, implement, and maintain Engineering SOPs and checklists for routine operations, emergency procedures, and specialized maintenance tasks.

Ensure all engineering staff follow SOPs and checklists consistently and accurately.

Review engineering documentation weekly to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance.

Safety & Emergency Response

Inspect and immediately repair any safety issues such as trip hazards, fires, and floods.

Prepare applications for county permits.

Ensure all required building licenses, certifications, and inspections (including elevators, emergency equipment, generator) remain current and compliant.

Serve as the primary point of contact for after‑hours and building emergencies and be onsite promptly as required.

Develop and execute emergency, fire and earthquake evacuation procedures.

Maintain and test emergency equipment on schedule.

Ensure all staff are trained quarterly on emergency response.

Maintain emergency supply inventory.

Hold safety meetings per OSHA requirements.

Vendor & Project Management

Schedule, supervise, and evaluate all onsite vendor work to ensure compliance with contracts, building protocols, and scope of work.

Track, follow up on, and close out vendor work, including required documentation, inspections, approvals, and sign‑off.

Document deficiencies and escalate concerns to the General Manager within 24 hours.

Ensure all vendors comply with building access protocols.

Act as the primary manager for janitorial vendors, including :

Scheduling and adjusting staffing as needed

Monitoring daily, weekly, and monthly performance

Ensuring compliance with the janitorial scope of work

Conducting regular quality checks and documenting deficiencies

Escalating unresolved issues to the General Manager

Prepare scopes, obtain bids, and recommend contractor selection for building projects.

Monitor progress and quality of repairs, upgrades, and system modifications.

Collaborate with the General Manager on capital projects and system improvements.

Resident & Customer Service

Respond professionally to homeowner requests and concerns.

Provide clear explanations of maintenance issues and timelines.

Conduct engineering orientations for new owners to explain systems, access, and responsibilities.

Maintain positive working relationships with vendors, board and staff.

Maintain clear, professional and timely communication with residents and team regarding maintenance issues.

Supervisory Duties

Pre‑screen and interview prospective employment candidates for open positions in the Maintenance Department.

Train and supervise new and existing employees.

Terminate employees only with People, Strategy and Operations involvement, in accordance with Management Company policies and procedures.

Provide guidance and job development to employees on work practices, performance and policies / procedures.

Review and approve time off requests and timesheets via the payroll system according to deadlines provided by the Pay Manager.

Conduct annual performance appraisals for employees and recommendations on salary increases.

Performance Expectations

Close non‑emergency work orders within 72 hours, or provide documented updates.

Ensure the interior and exterior appearance of the property is consistently maintained, including gates, loading docks, garages, common areas, and building exterior.

Provide same‑day written reports for leaks, floods, fires, system failures, or major incidents.

Submit the Monthly Engineering Report no later than the 3rd business day of each month.

Maintain an organized, auditable record of all preventive maintenance tasks.

Participate in monthly board meetings and other required meetings to communicate issues, integrate activities, obtain approvals, and stay informed of new requirements, policies, and regulations.

Ensure all work orders and documentation are entered in the system the same day work begins.

Hold team members accountable for performance, professionalism, and communication standards.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience in a high rise

High school diploma required

Minimum of 10 years of experience in Engineering

Knowledge of building systems is required (Plumbing, HVAC, Security, Pool Equipment, Boilers, Electrical, etc.)

Fire Life Safety Director Certificate preferred

Language Skills

The candidate must have good written communication skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization, both verbally and in writing.

Specific Skills / Knowledge

Good verbal communication skills

Good customer service skills

Knowledge of computer systems (Outlook, Word, Excel, C3)

Superior knowledge of engineering operations and mechanical maintenance

Work Environment

The work environment is a typical office building. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Availability

Available during regular business hours of Monday - Friday 9 : 00 am -5 : 00 pm and On‑Call as needed

Seabreeze is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer that celebrates the diversity of our team. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation such as an ASL interpreter, please contact Vy Nguyen at (949) 334–8166.

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