Hotel Assistant Chief Engineer

Assistant Chief Engineer – Historic Full-Service Hotel

We are seeking an experienced and highly hands-on Assistant Chief Engineer to oversee the day-to-day maintenance and engineering needs of our historic full-service hotel.

This is a working engineering position with approximately 70% of the role focused on hands-on maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, inspections, and preventive maintenance, and 30% focused on administrative responsibilities, documentation, coordination, and operational follow-up.

The Assistant Chief Engineer will work closely with hotel leadership to ensure the property, equipment, guest rooms, and building systems are maintained safely, efficiently, and to hotel standards.

What You Will Be Doing

• Oversee the day-to-day engineering and maintenance needs of the hotel.
• Perform hands-on repairs and preventive maintenance throughout guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house spaces, kitchens, and mechanical areas.
• Troubleshoot and repair HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, boiler, and mechanical systems.
• Maintain and repair commercial kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, ice machines, pumps, motors, and related hotel equipment.
• Respond promptly to guest room and operational maintenance requests.
• Perform scheduled preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Conduct routine inspections of mechanical rooms, equipment, guest areas, and building systems.
• Identify developing maintenance concerns and recommend appropriate corrective action.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematic drawings, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
• Complete work orders and maintain accurate maintenance, inspection, and preventive maintenance records.
• Coordinate access and work activity with outside vendors and contractors as needed.
• Assist with life-safety inspections, testing, and required building maintenance procedures.
• Maintain engineering shops, mechanical rooms, tools, and equipment in a clean, safe, and organized condition.
• Communicate maintenance priorities, building conditions, and major repair needs to hotel leadership.
• Provide technical direction and day-to-day guidance to engineering team members when needed.
• Participate in emergency response situations involving HVAC failures, electrical issues, plumbing problems, flooding, equipment failures, and other building-related emergencies.
• Follow all hotel safety procedures, OSHA requirements, and applicable building and fire codes.
• Perform other engineering and maintenance duties as assigned.

Position Focus

This position is designed for an experienced engineer who wants greater responsibility while remaining actively involved in the physical operation of the hotel.

Approximately:

70% Hands-On Engineering

• Troubleshooting
• Repairs
• Preventive maintenance
• Inspections
• Building projects
• Guest room and operational response

30% Administrative and Operational Support

• Work-order documentation
• Preventive maintenance tracking
• Inspection records
• Vendor coordination
• Project follow-up
• Communication with hotel leadership

The position does not have primary responsibility for departmental budgeting, financial reporting, purchasing, or ordering.

What We Are Looking For

• Previous hotel engineering experience required.
• Strong hands-on experience with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, commercial kitchen equipment, and general building maintenance.
• Full-service or upscale hotel experience strongly preferred.
• Vocational training, associate degree, certification, apprenticeship, or equivalent technical experience preferred.
• Applicable state or local certifications or licenses where required.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability.
• Ability to understand, maintain, and operate advanced electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, HVAC, and boiler systems.
• Ability to read and understand blueprints, schematic drawings, equipment manuals, and technical parts breakdowns.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize competing maintenance needs.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• High work ethic, reliability, and self-initiative.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication with hotel leadership.
• Ability to remain calm and decisive during building emergencies.

The Right Candidate

The right candidate is a strong hands-on engineer who can take ownership of the property's daily maintenance needs without spending the majority of the day behind a desk.

You should be comfortable moving between HVAC troubleshooting, guest room repairs, plumbing issues, electrical work, kitchen equipment, preventive maintenance, inspections, and larger building projects throughout the day.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced hotel engineer ready to take on greater operational responsibility while remaining directly involved in maintaining the property.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person