Stationary Engineer

Building Operations Nashville, Tennessee


Description

 The Stationary Engineer is a key member of the Facilities team responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, efficient, and continuous operation of essential hospital utility and building systems. This position directly supports patient care by maintaining the infrastructure required for clinical, surgical, diagnostic, emergency, and support services to operate safely and without interruption.

The Stationary Engineer performs hands-on operation and maintenance of boilers, chillers, HVAC systems, air-handling equipment, refrigeration systems, emergency generators, pumps, motors, compressors, mechanical systems, utility infrastructure, and Building Automation Systems (BAS). The position continuously monitors system performance, identifies abnormal operating conditions, responds to alarms and equipment failures, and takes corrective action to minimize downtime and protect hospital operations.

This role requires a highly skilled technician who can independently troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated control systems and recognize how infrastructure issues may affect patient safety, infection prevention, environmental conditions, regulatory compliance, and clinical operations.

Approximately one-third of the position involves field-based inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, equipment rounds, and operational support throughout the hospital. The position primarily works daytime hours; however, flexibility is required to respond to facility emergencies, utility interruptions, critical equipment failures, severe weather, after-hours operational needs, and other events that may affect hospital operations.

Healthcare facilities experience is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will bring substantial experience operating and maintaining complex building systems in a hospital, central plant, industrial, institutional, or similarly regulated environment and will be comfortable using computerized controls, BAS technology, CMMS platforms, and technical documentation.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Critical Facility Systems Operations

  • Operate, monitor, inspect, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair critical hospital infrastructure and mechanical systems, including:
    • Boilers and associated steam systems
    • Chillers and chilled-water systems
    • HVAC systems
    • Air-handling units and ventilation systems
    • Refrigeration equipment
    • Pumps, motors, compressors, and fans
    • Emergency generators and associated systems
    • Mechanical utility systems
    • Building automation and control systems
    • Other central plant and facility equipment
  • Monitor equipment operating conditions, including temperature, pressure, flow, level, vibration, alarms, and system status.
  • Conduct routine equipment rounds and inspections to identify abnormal conditions, deterioration, safety concerns, or potential equipment failures before they affect hospital operations.
  • Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance in accordance with established schedules, manufacturer recommendations, regulatory requirements, and hospital standards.
  • Troubleshoot complex mechanical and facility-system problems and determine appropriate corrective actions, repairs, or escalation.
  • Safely perform equipment adjustments, repairs, component replacement, testing, and operational checks within established qualifications and procedures.
  • Respond promptly to equipment failures, utility interruptions, BAS alarms, environmental concerns, and other facility-related issues.
  • Maintain equipment and systems at a level that supports 24/7 hospital operations and continuity of patient care.

Building Automation Systems & Controls

  • Monitor and operate the hospital's Building Automation System (BAS) to maintain appropriate environmental conditions and optimize facility performance.
  • Monitor HVAC controls, alarms, trends, schedules, setpoints, sensors, meters, and other automated building systems.
  • Analyze BAS information and equipment trends to identify developing failures, abnormal conditions, and opportunities for improved reliability.
  • Troubleshoot control-system issues involving sensors, actuators, valves, dampers, alarms, schedules, setpoints, and related components.
  • Make appropriate system adjustments within established operating parameters and escalate conditions requiring specialized support.
  • Maintain working knowledge of computerized building-control platforms, including JCI Metasys and Siemens, as applicable.
  • Support energy-management and operational-efficiency initiatives through effective use of BAS data and system trends.

Healthcare Environment & Regulatory Compliance

  • Operate and maintain facility systems in a manner that protects patient safety, staff safety, infection prevention, environmental conditions, and uninterrupted clinical operations.
  • Maintain awareness of the critical relationship between facility infrastructure and patient-care areas, including operating rooms, emergency services, diagnostic areas, inpatient units, behavioral health areas, and other critical departments.
  • Support compliance with applicable healthcare, life-safety, environmental, occupational safety, and facility-management standards.
  • Maintain working knowledge of applicable requirements and standards, including The Joint Commission, NFPA 99, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, ASHRAE 170, and applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
  • Support regulatory surveys, inspections, testing, documentation, and corrective-action activities.
  • Ensure preventive maintenance, inspection, testing, and repair documentation is complete, accurate, and readily available for operational and regulatory review.
  • Immediately communicate conditions that may present a safety risk, regulatory concern, environmental issue, or threat to patient-care operations.

Emergency Power & Utility Response

  • Respond to facility emergencies involving utility failures, equipment malfunctions, HVAC failures, environmental conditions, water or steam issues, emergency power events, and other infrastructure disruptions.
  • Support the operation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of emergency generators and related emergency power equipment.
  • Respond to BAS alarms and critical equipment alarms and take appropriate action to stabilize affected systems.
  • Participate in emergency preparedness activities, utility management procedures, downtime response, and hospital emergency operations.
  • Assist with implementation of utility failure procedures and contingency plans designed to maintain essential hospital services.
  • Communicate significant facility conditions promptly to Facilities leadership and affected hospital departments.
  • Maintain readiness to support hospital operations during severe weather, utility interruptions, emergency events, and other unplanned circumstances.

Preventive Maintenance & Reliability

  • Execute assigned preventive and predictive maintenance activities to maximize equipment life, reliability, and operational performance.
  • Identify recurring equipment failures and recommend corrective actions to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
  • Evaluate equipment condition and performance and communicate repair, replacement, or upgrade recommendations to Facilities leadership.
  • Assist in maintaining accurate equipment inventories, maintenance schedules, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
  • Ensure maintenance activities are performed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with established procedures.
  • Identify potential system failures before they impact patient-care operations whenever possible.

Documentation & CMMS

  • Accurately document inspections, equipment readings, preventive maintenance, repairs, troubleshooting activities, system adjustments, and corrective actions.
  • Maintain complete and timely records within the hospital's Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
  • Document equipment deficiencies and communicate outstanding maintenance needs to Facilities leadership.
  • Maintain accurate records required for regulatory compliance, preventive maintenance, equipment history, and operational planning.
  • Review maintenance history and equipment trends to identify opportunities for improved reliability and preventive maintenance.

Projects, Construction & System Improvements

  • Support facility renovation, construction, equipment replacement, commissioning, and infrastructure improvement projects.
  • Work collaboratively with Facilities leadership, engineers, contractors, vendors, and hospital departments during installation, testing, commissioning, and implementation of new systems.
  • Provide technical expertise regarding equipment condition, system performance, repair requirements, and operational considerations.
  • Assist with equipment startup, shutdown, testing, balancing, and return-to-service activities.
  • Help ensure construction and renovation activities do not unnecessarily disrupt patient care or critical hospital operations.
  • Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency, equipment reliability, system performance, and overall facility operations.
  • Participate in special projects and other Facilities initiatives as assigned.

Customer Service & Team Collaboration

  • Maintain a professional, service-oriented relationship with clinical, administrative, and support departments.
  • Respond to facility concerns in a timely manner and communicate the status of work clearly to affected departments.
  • Work effectively with Facilities leadership, engineers, technicians, contractors, vendors, and hospital staff.
  • Provide technical information and recommendations to support facility and operational decision-making.
  • Demonstrate professionalism, accountability, reliability, and sound judgment when working in patient-care environments.

Required Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required.
  • Associate degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Mechanical Systems, HVAC, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field preferred.
  • 9–14 years of progressively responsible experience in stationary engineering, healthcare facilities, central plant operations, commercial building operations, industrial maintenance, or a related technical environment preferred.
  • Healthcare facilities experience strongly preferred. 
  • EPA Universal Refrigerant Certification required.
  • Boiler Operator License preferred and/or ability to obtain applicable certification within a designated timeframe.
  • Valid Tennessee Driver's License required.
  • Demonstrated experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting complex mechanical and facility systems.
  • Strong working knowledge of HVAC systems, boilers, chillers, refrigeration equipment, generators, pumps, motors, compressors, air-handling equipment, and mechanical utility systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS), including alarms, controls, sensors, setpoints, schedules, trends, and system monitoring.
  • Experience with JCI Metasys, Siemens, PRIMEX, or comparable BAS/monitoring systems preferred.
  • Knowledge of fire alarm, life-safety, emergency power, and other critical facility systems preferred.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
  • Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, schematics, specifications, operating procedures, and technical documentation.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude and analytical troubleshooting skills.
  • Ability to independently diagnose problems, determine appropriate corrective action, and recognize when escalation or specialized vendor support is required.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple work assignments and respond effectively to urgent and emergency situations.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with clinical, administrative, technical, and Facilities staff.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

  • Advanced knowledge of critical healthcare facility infrastructure and mechanical systems. 
  • Strong understanding of the relationship between facility systems and patient safety, clinical operations, infection prevention, and regulatory compliance.
  • Ability to troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated control systems.
  • Ability to interpret BAS data, equipment trends, alarms, and operating parameters.
  • Strong preventive-maintenance and equipment-reliability mindset.
  • Ability to recognize abnormal operating conditions and take appropriate action before a failure affects hospital operations.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate documentation.
  • Ability to work independently with limited supervision while functioning effectively as part of a multidisciplinary Facilities team.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and remain calm and effective during emergencies.
  • Strong customer-service orientation and professional communication skills.
  • Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Willingness and ability to work flexible hours and provide emergency or after-hours support as operational needs require.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

  • Ability to routinely walk, stand, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crawl, reach, and work in mechanical rooms, utility areas, rooftops, and other facility environments.
  • Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, testing equipment, and other equipment required for facility maintenance and repair.
  • Ability to work in environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, heights, confined spaces, mechanical equipment, electrical hazards, and other facility-related risks while following all required safety procedures.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, equipment, materials, and components consistent with the requirements of the position.
  • Ability to access mechanical rooms and facility areas throughout the hospital in response to routine work and emergencies.
  • Ability to respond promptly to facility emergencies throughout the hospital and perform duties necessary to stabilize critical systems.
  • Ability to safely work from ladders, platforms, and other approved access equipment when required.

About Nashville General Hospital 
 
Nashville General Hospital (NGH) is Nashville’s original community- based hospital. Joint Commission accredited, NGH readily accommodates a wide range of needs from emergency services and acute care to ancillary and ambulatory services. NGH continues to maintain its strong commitment to the healthcare needs of Nashville and Davidson County underserved, while also providing care to all segments of the community 
 
Our benefits include:
  • Metro Health Incentive Program - Access to high quality healthcare without incurring out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Benefits begin on the first day of the month after one full calendar month of employment
  • Short and Long-Term Disability - up to 60% of eligible weekly pay
  • Life Insurance - Metro provides you with basic life and AD&D coverage at no cost to you.
  • Retirement Plan- eligible up to IRS max limits and includes company contribution.
  • Shift and Weekend Differential Pay Offered on Nights and Weekends
  • Tuition Reimbursement for Employee and Dependents
  • Clinical Ladder Program
  • Up to 12 paid holidays each Year
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Free Parking for all employees
 
Join our team at Nashville General Hospital. Apply today!
 
Nashville General Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.

We are an E-Verify employer.

For more information, please click on the following links:
E-Verify Participation Poster: English | Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish