Chief Engineer

Temps plein

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, safety, and appearance of the hotel’s physical building systems. This position ensures that all guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house areas, equipment, mechanical systems, and life-safety systems are maintained to a high standard and operate efficiently.

The Chief Engineer provides leadership to the Engineering team, establishes and manages preventive maintenance programs, responds to maintenance concerns, coordinates outside contractors, supports capital projects, and ensures compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Engineering Operations

• Oversee the daily operation and maintenance.
• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house areas, mechanical rooms, and exterior areas regularly.
• Ensure all building systems and equipment are functioning properly and efficiently.
• Respond promptly to engineering-related guest and associate requests.
• Prioritize maintenance issues based on safety, guest impact, operational needs, and urgency.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe engineering shop and work areas.

Preventive Maintenance

• Develop, maintain, and execute a comprehensive preventive maintenance program.
• Ensure scheduled inspections and maintenance are completed on HVAC, plumbing, electrical, pool, kitchen, laundry, elevators, life-safety systems, and other hotel equipment.
• Maintain accurate records of preventive maintenance and completed work.
• Identify potential equipment failures before they become major operational or guest-impacting issues.
• Monitor equipment performance and recommend replacement or upgrades when appropriate.

Life Safety & Compliance

• Maintain and monitor fire alarm, fire suppression, emergency lighting, sprinkler, smoke/CO detection, and other life-safety systems.
• Coordinate required inspections, testing, certifications, and repairs.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, federal, Marriott brand, and hotel safety requirements.
• Maintain required engineering and safety documentation.
• Participate in emergency response procedures, including power outages, water interruptions, HVAC failures, fire alarms, and other building emergencies.
• Work closely with local authorities, inspectors, vendors, and service providers when required.

Guest Experience

• Recognize that Engineering has a direct impact on guest satisfaction.
• Respond quickly and professionally to guest room maintenance concerns.
• Partner with Front Office and Housekeeping to identify recurring guest room issues.
• Track recurring maintenance problems and develop corrective action plans.
• Ensure guest rooms are returned to service promptly after maintenance issues are resolved.
• Maintain hotel facilities to the standards expected by guests and the brand.

Team Leadership

• Lead, train, coach, and develop Engineering associates.
• Establish clear daily priorities and assign work appropriately.
• Monitor work quality and productivity.
• Ensure associates follow proper safety procedures and hotel policies.
• Conduct regular department meetings and communicate operational priorities.
• Participate in hiring, performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary processes as appropriate.
• Develop cross-training and succession opportunities within the Engineering department.

Capital Projects

• Assist the General Manager with development and management of the hotel’s capital improvement plan.
• Identify equipment, building systems, and facility improvements requiring capital investment.
• Obtain vendor proposals and assist with cost comparisons.
• Coordinate contractors and vendors during construction and renovation projects.
• Monitor project timelines, quality, safety, and completion.
• Minimize disruption to guests and hotel operations during projects.
• Maintain documentation related to completed capital improvements.

Energy & Cost Management

• Monitor utilities and identify opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption.
• Manage equipment and building systems with an emphasis on efficiency and cost control.
• Review engineering-related expenses and assist with department budgeting.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of tools, supplies, and replacement parts.
• Obtain competitive pricing from vendors when appropriate.
• Help prevent unnecessary emergency repairs through effective preventive maintenance.

Vendor Management

• Coordinate and supervise outside contractors and service providers.
• Verify that contractors are properly licensed and insured when required.
• Monitor vendor performance and ensure work is completed according to specifications.
• Maintain strong relationships with key service providers.
• Review invoices and confirm that services were completed before approval.

The Chief Engineer should have working knowledge of and/or oversight of:

• HVAC and building automation systems
• HVAC certification preferred 
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing and water systems
• Boilers and water heaters
• Pool equipment
• Fire alarm and life-safety systems
• Emergency generators and backup systems
• Elevators and related inspections
• Kitchen equipment
• Laundry equipment
• Refrigeration systems
• Guest room equipment
• Lighting and electrical fixtures
• Building envelope and exterior maintenance
• Preventive maintenance systems
• Energy management
• Safety and OSHA requirements
• Contractor and vendor management

Preferred:

• Previous Chief Engineer or Assistant Chief Engineer experience in a full-service hotel.
• Marriott or other major hotel brand experience.
• Experience with hotel preventive maintenance systems.
• HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pool, or building systems certifications.
• Experience managing contractors and capital projects.
• Experience with budgeting and cost control.