Chief Engineer

Job Title: Chief Engineer

Reports: Director of Hotel Operations

Position Summary:

The Chief Engineer is responsible for overseeing the overall maintenance, safety, and operational efficiency of all hotel facilities, ensuring a seamless and high-end guest experience. This role manages engineering staff, maintains luxury standards, and ensures all systems function at optimal levels.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Facilities & Maintenance Management

• Oversee daily operations of all engineering and maintenance functions.
• Ensure all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and life safety systems are operating efficiently.
• Implement preventive maintenance programs to maintain luxury property standards.
• Coordinate repairs, upgrades, and renovations with minimal disruption to guests.

2. Leadership & Team Management

• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate engineering staff.
• Develop work schedules and assign responsibilities.
• Foster a culture of excellence, safety, and accountability.

3. Guest Experience & Quality Standards

• Ensure all guest rooms, public areas, and back-of-house facilities meet luxury standards.
• Respond promptly to guest maintenance concerns and VIP requests.
• Work closely with housekeeping and front office teams.

4. Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain fire, life safety, and emergency systems.
• Conduct regular safety inspections and drills.
• Manage risk and ensure proper documentation of incidents.

5. Budgeting & Cost Control

• Prepare and manage the engineering department budget.
• Monitor energy consumption and implement sustainability initiatives.
• Control expenses while maintaining luxury service standards.

6. Vendor & Project Management

• Manage contracts with external vendors and service providers.
• Oversee capital improvement projects and renovations.
• Ensure quality, timelines, and budget adherence.
• Develop, recommend, implement and mange the department’s budget capital expenditure plan.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field (preferred).
• 5–10+ years of engineering or facilities management experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role in hospitality or luxury hotels.
• Strong knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, boilers etc.).
• Experience with property management and maintenance systems.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position with on-call availability for emergencies.
• May require evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Physical activity including walking, lifting, and inspecting equipment areas.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to communicate with management and staff
• Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying of weights up to 25 lbs. and occasionally greater, for all hotel equipmentn and machinery. 50-75% of job function
• Frequent bending and/or kneeling throughout the day for repairs and maintenance of hotel property, equipment and machinery. 50% of job function.
• Mobility – throughout the hotel, all floors, varying heights and distances. Use of ladders and lifts required at times. Generally 75-80% of job function
• Continuous standing required in varying degrees throughout the day.
• Driving – limited driving on an occasional basis for supplies, equipment, etc. Generally within 20 miles.
• Work inside 95% of week; outside 5% of week. Abnormal temperatures – walk-in freezers- below 32 degrees, 1% of the time.

What’s in for you:

• Paid time – off
• 401K with company match up to 2%
• Free shift-meal prepared by our in-house culinary experts
• Medical, Dental, Vision, insurance effective on the first day of the month after your hire date.