Hotel Chief Engineer

Job Summary

Le Méridien San Diego Downtown is seeking an experienced, hands-on Chief Engineer to lead our hotel’s engineering and maintenance operations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in hotel engineering, demonstrated leadership experience, and technical knowledge across multiple building maintenance trades.

This role is responsible for ensuring that all hotel facilities, guest rooms, public areas, mechanical systems, and swimming pool facilities are maintained to the highest standards of safety, functionality, and guest satisfaction.

As a new hotel, the Chief Engineer will also play a key role in establishing preventive maintenance programs, preparing building systems for opening, and supporting a successful transition into daily operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all hotel engineering and maintenance operations, including the supervision, training, and development of engineering team members.
• Manage preventive maintenance programs for guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house facilities, and building equipment.
• Troubleshoot and coordinate repairs involving HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, and general building maintenance.
• Oversee swimming pool operations, including water quality, chemical balance, filtration, pumps, heating systems, and preventive maintenance.
• Ensure pool operations comply with applicable California and San Diego County health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate required pool inspections, testing, documentation, and service vendor activities.
• Maintain compliance with fire and life safety requirements, OSHA standards, and applicable building codes.
• Establish and manage maintenance schedules, work orders, equipment inventories, and engineering records.
• Work with contractors and vendors to ensure projects and repairs are completed on time and within budget.
• Assist with pre-opening inspections, equipment testing, warranty coordination, and resolution of construction-related deficiencies.
• Manage departmental expenses, maintenance supplies, and repair budgets.
• Respond promptly to emergency maintenance situations to minimize disruption to hotel operations.
• Collaborate with hotel leadership to maintain Marriott brand standards and deliver an exceptional guest experience.

Qualifications & Experience

• 3–5 years of hotel engineering or facilities maintenance experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Hands-on experience in at least 2–5 building maintenance trades, such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical systems, carpentry, or general building maintenance.
• Previous experience as a Chief Engineer, Assistant Chief Engineer, Engineering Supervisor, or similar hotel engineering leadership role preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of commercial hotel mechanical systems and preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience maintaining commercial swimming pools, including water chemistry, filtration systems, circulation pumps, chemical handling, and pool safety requirements.
• Familiarity with California and local public swimming pool regulations.
• Experience with fire and life safety systems, emergency procedures, and building inspections.
• Ability to read technical drawings, equipment manuals, and maintenance documentation.
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) preferred.
• Experience supporting a hotel pre-opening or newly constructed property is highly desirable.
• Certified Pool Operator (CPO) or equivalent aquatic facility certification preferred.
• Ability to respond to emergencies and work a flexible schedule as operational needs require.

Join Our Team

Join Le Méridien San Diego Downtown and play an important role in launching a new hotel. We are seeking a motivated engineering leader who takes pride in maintaining exceptional facilities, developing a strong team, and delivering the highest standards of safety, efficiency, and guest satisfaction