Chief Engineer

In the heart of Nashville, a great hotel depends on far more than what guests see. Behind every comfortable room, successful event, and seamless stay is an engineering operation that keeps the building safe, efficient, reliable, and ready.

Hampton Inn & Suites Nashville Downtown Capitol View is looking for an experienced Chief Engineer who can take ownership of the property’s physical plant, lead a strong engineering team, and protect one of the hotel’s most important assets.

This is not simply a maintenance position. You will be a key member of the hotel’s leadership team, responsible for preventive maintenance, life-safety systems, capital planning, vendor relationships, regulatory compliance, expense management, and the long-term condition of the property.

• Own the Property. Lead the maintenance and operation of the hotel’s building systems, equipment, guestrooms, public areas, and back-of-house spaces.

• Build a Strong Engineering Team. Recruit, train, coach, and develop engineers while establishing clear standards, accountability, and pride in workmanship.

• Stay Ahead of Problems. Drive preventive maintenance programs and ensure work orders, inspections, repairs, and recurring building issues are addressed before they affect the guest experience.

• Manage Building Systems. Oversee HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, fire-life-safety, pool, and other critical systems while coordinating qualified outside contractors when necessary.

• Protect the Investment. Assist with capital planning, project management, renovation work, bids, purchasing, and vendor negotiations while balancing quality with financial discipline.

• Lead Safety and Compliance. Maintain emergency-response procedures, required inspections, documentation, certifications, and life-safety standards.

• Manage the Numbers. Control engineering expenses, utilities, repairs and maintenance costs, inventory, and capital expenditures while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.

• Partner With Hotel Leadership. Work closely with the General Manager and department leaders to support hotel operations, guest satisfaction, and long-term asset performance.

We are looking for a hands-on engineering leader who understands both the technical side of the building and the responsibility that comes with leading a department.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous hotel engineering, facilities management, or building maintenance leadership experience

• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and general building systems

• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and work-order management

• Knowledge of fire-life-safety systems, inspections, and regulatory requirements

• Experience managing vendors, contractors, bids, and outside service providers

• Experience preparing or managing departmental operating budgets and capital projects

• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to identify root causes rather than repeatedly treating symptoms

• Proven leadership experience, including hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, and holding team members accountable

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• The ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced hotel environment

• Flexibility to respond to property emergencies when necessary

Hotel engineering leadership experience is strongly preferred.

Technical certifications, HVAC credentials, electrical or mechanical licenses, pool certifications, or other relevant trade credentials are a plus.

We are not looking for someone who simply waits for work orders.

We are looking for someone who walks the building, anticipates problems, develops the team, communicates clearly, follows through, and takes ownership of the condition of the property.

The strongest Chief Engineers understand that great engineering is often invisible to the guest — because problems are identified and corrected before the guest ever knows they existed.

You’ll have the opportunity to lead the engineering function of a high-profile Nashville hotel while working closely with hotel leadership and ownership.

You will have the opportunity to make a measurable impact on:

• Building condition and preventive maintenance

• Guest satisfaction

• Team development

• Utility and repair expenses

• Capital planning

• Life-safety compliance

• Long-term asset preservation

We are looking for someone who does not simply maintain the property, but continually looks for ways to make it better.

• Competitive compensation plus incentive opportunity

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Life insurance

• Supplemental insurance

• Short- and long-term disability

• 401(k)

• Hotel and travel discounts

• Professional development opportunities

• Career advancement opportunities

Source: Chartwell Hospitality