Night Engineering Supervisor

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.

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.

We are seeking a team member who values interoperability and is ready to jump in and support colleagues across different projects when needed. At the Museum of Exploration, we believe that our greatest successes come from shared expertise and a willingness to step outside of a single role. This isn't just a part of the job; it's a core aspect of how we operate and collaborate, reflecting the spirit of partnership that defines National Geographic's culture.

Your Impact

How You’ll Contribute

Job Description Summary

The Campus & Experiences Division is seeking an Engineering Supervisor that will provide overall support to the Chief and Assistant Chief Engineers with subject matter expertise on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, plant operations, building automation, vendor management, and project management while overseeing a diverse team consisting of Lead Operating Engineers and Maintenance Mechanics. This essential position provides critical operational support, is responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance program during the assigned shift, and drives initiatives to enhance system efficiency and reliability.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

Building Systems Management (55%)

• Operate, monitor, and maintain the performance of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, including boilers, chillers, air handlers, pumps, and related equipment.

• Ensure routine preventative maintenance inspections and tasks to ensure all building mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are functioning efficiently and safely.

• Respond promptly to maintenance requests, system alarms, and emergency situations, troubleshooting and repairing equipment failures.

• Perform repairs and installations of minor mechanical, plumbing, and electrical components.

• Ensures the Building Automation System (BAS) is properly monitored and adjusted for occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and museum conservation condition. Supports the engineering team by training and familiarizing staff with key BAS functions and guiding more complex tasks, including troubleshooting, scheduling, reporting, and identifying best practices.

• Evaluate and recommend upgrades or enhancements to systems on an ongoing basis to keep equipment operating at maximum efficiency and in compliance with modern standards.

Team Leadership & Development (20%)

• Lead, mentor, and manage engineering staff, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

• Conduct performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and identify professional development and training opportunities for the engineering team.

• Coordinate with Supervising Engineers to ensure proper shift coverage, assign workloads, and maintain consistent operational standards across all shifts.

• Foster a safe work environment, ensuring the team operates all equipment as safely and efficiently as possible.

Contractor & Project Management (15%)

• Oversee and manage contracted work throughout the complex, from preventative maintenance to emergency repairs and new installations.

• Act as the primary point of contact for contractors, managing scheduling, access, and on-site activity to minimize disruption to campus operations.

• Review contractor performance and work quality to ensure compliance with contracts, safety protocols, and Society standards.

• Assist the Assistant Chief Engineer in the development, installation, and maintenance of capital projects and system replacements.

Administrative & Operational Support (10%)

• Review the CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) for new priority work orders.

• Record all required equipment data, readings, and any unusual events in the daily logbook.

• Communicate all critical system statuses and open issues to the next shift operator.

• Assist in developing and managing the departmental budget for maintenance, supplies, and contract services.

• Oversee the procurement of necessary supplies, parts, and equipment, ensuring cost-effectiveness and quality.

• Ensure all necessary permits and certifications for building equipment are maintained and current.

• Generate reports on system performance, team productivity, and project status for engineering leadership.

• Ensure all tools are accounted for at the conclusion of every shift

What You’ll Bring

Minimum Education Required

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 minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in building systems and plant operations, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or management capacity.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• No less than a 3rd class DC Stationary Engineers license for the District of Columbia

• CFC Universal Certification

• Extensive practical experience in the areas of Building Systems

• Proven experience interacting and manipulating a Building Automation System (BAS)

• Strong computer skills and knowledge of standard Microsoft software programs.

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

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to supervise, motivate, and train a diverse technical staff.

• 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

• Demonstrated experience in managing third-party contractors and vendors.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and proficiency with standard office software.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in a museum, cultural institution, or other public-facing campus environment.

• Journeyman level licensure in a building trade 

• Any industry-specific certifications

Supervision 

A Team of four (4) 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 $43.85 - $46.15.

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 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); 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

On-Site - Staff members who spend 100% of work time on-site at Base Camp, supporting overall campus and museum operations. On-Site staff shifts (spread over seven days a week and 24 hours a day, including holidays) are scheduled by their supervisors and determined by team needs and may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles and ebbs and flows of work throughout the year.

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.