Chief Engineer

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

The Campus and Experiences team is responsible for creating amazing brand experiences for live audiences and delivering excellent service and operations at NGS headquarters. The team is currently focused on the Base Camp renovation project, including all construction, content and design, revenue and operations planning, and overall budget and schedule management. They also produce and generate revenue through National Geographic Live and National Geographic’s Traveling Exhibitions programs.

How You’ll Contribute
Job Description Summary

The Campus & Experiences Division is seeking a Chief Engineer that is responsible for all maintenance and repair activity within the Base Camp portfolio as well as assigned projects. This role will oversee a diverse team consisting of Operating Engineers and Maintenance Mechanics in addition to journeyman level tradesmen including electricians, carpenters, and painters. This role demands a high level of proficiency and working experience in process standardization, management of program development and strategy, initiative management, complex building systems, building automation, project management, procurement best practices, budget management, and advanced administrative functions that include the use of technology and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). This is a leadership position that requires strategic thinking, exceptional problem-solving skills, continual improvement, and a commitment to technology and quality.

This position is considered essential and is on-call as needed, responding to emergencies and unscheduled operational issues in a timely manner. As Base Camp and the Museum of Exploration operate year-round on multiple shifts, flexibility to work different types of shifts is crucial. The regular work schedule of this position could include weekend, holiday, early-morning, and late-evening coverage.

Your Impact

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Business Operations (45%)

• Provide subject matter expertise, senior technical guidance and oversight for all maintenance and repair activities. Ensure that all designs, specifications, and project deliverables meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

• Oversee the planning, design, and execution of all maintenance, repair tasks and projects. This includes managing project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful delivery on time and within scope.

• Manage a Quality Assurance program and conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure adherence to departmental standards.

Team Development and Leadership (25%)

• Foster a culture of exceptional customer service, ensuring that services provided to internal and external customers are delivered with empathy and urgency.

• Will lead, mentor, and manage the team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

• Recruit, train, and manage a high-performing team. Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development opportunities for team members.

Strategy and Planning (20%)

• Assist in the development and execution of strategic and tactical initiatives in alignment with the Campus & Experiences team business goals.

• Work collaboratively on the development and management of the department's budget and allocate resources effectively to maximize efficiency and achieve project goals.

• Stay current with the latest industry trends, technologies, and best practices. Lead efforts to drive innovation and improve company procedures, processes, and systems.

• Identify potential technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Partnerships and Collaboration (10%)

• In consultation with other Departments, negotiate and oversee contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other partners.

• Work with the Sustainability team to manage energy conservation efforts and support Energy Star data, LEED certification, and BEPS compliance.

• Act as a point of contact for escalated facility issues, ensuring timely resolution and high service quality.

• Demonstrate proactive communication with internal and external stakeholders, tenants, neighbors, vendors, suppliers, and appropriate local agencies and offices.

• Monitor and enforce customer service standards, creating feedback channels to continuously improve service delivery.

What You’ll Bring

Educational background

High School Diploma or GED and completion of an Apprenticeship or Technical degree from an accredited trade school

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

A combined 10+ years journey-level experience in the operation and maintenance of building systems and at least 3+ years of leadership and management experience.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Skills will include managing a diverse staff with emphasis on motivation and training.

• Extensive knowledge in the areas of Building Systems

• Strong understanding of market pricing for trades and experience negotiating

• Demonstrated experience using effective interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with stakeholders and staff

• Ability to interact with a diverse audience

• Skilled in time management and ability to meet deadlines with accuracy

• Skilled in demonstrating independent judgment, discretion and decision-making

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional work standards and ethics

• Experience managing complex infrastructure operations across a multi-facility campus.

• Familiarity with computer-aided maintenance management systems (CMMS).

• Experience managing facilities within museums, cultural institutions, or other public-facing organizations.

• Fluence with personal computers and common business software.

Desired Qualifications

• No less than a 3rd class DC Stationary Engineers license

• Journeyman level licensure in a building trade

• Any industry-specific certifications

Supervision

A team of twenty-one (21) team members and three (3) direct reports.

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $156,700.00 - $165,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31; paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Resident - Our Resident category recognizes that certain staff need to be physically present at Base Camp to do their work. Some Resident staff must be at Base Camp every day to do their jobs, while others may only need to be physically present onsite some of the time to meet looming deadlines or to get work done and may require a unique schedule. As such, this category has been revised to provide maximum flexibility depending on what’s required for each individual role. The days Resident staff come into the office will be determined by their teams and workflow, and they should work with their supervisors to determine their specific schedule. And throughout the year, their schedule may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles, deadlines, and/or ebbs and flows of work.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.