Assistant Chief Engineer

Role Overview

This position serves as the operational right hand to the Director of Engineering, keeping a luxury property's buildings, grounds, and mechanical systems running safely and reliably while the guest experience continues uninterrupted. Day to day, the role blends hands-on technical work with people leadership: dispatching and auditing repair work orders, walking the property to judge what needs attention, and coaching a team of engineers and outside contractors to close the loop on every job. The work matters because guest comfort, asset protection, and life safety all rest on whether the physical plant is maintained proactively rather than reactively.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the flow of repair work orders from assignment through verification, checking that jobs are completed on time, to standard, and with the right documentation.
• Help plan, schedule, and assess preventive maintenance programs across the physical plant, including refrigeration, HVAC, plumbing, water treatment, electrical distribution, and life safety systems.
• Inspect facilities and grounds regularly to evaluate physical condition, identify needed work, and recommend or arrange follow-up services such as painting, renovations, repairs, or replacement of furnishings and equipment.
• Step in for the Director of Engineering when absent, supervising the daily operation of the engineering department and related areas.
• Manage the department's supply chain of tools, parts, uniforms, and equipment, including selecting and purchasing new items when needed.
• Support the department head with budget tracking, capital expenditure planning, and energy conservation initiatives.
• Respond to property emergencies around the clock, including operating generators and fire pumps when conditions require it.
• Maintain accurate logs and records, apply property policies consistently and fairly, and keep employees informed about business objectives, expectations, and performance recognition.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in a technical field.
• A minimum of two years in a comparable engineering role within a luxury hotel environment.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of building mechanical and safety infrastructure: refrigeration, laundry equipment, HVAC, plumbing, water treatment, electrical, and life safety systems, with the ability to perform repairs directly when required.
• Prior experience supervising staff or contractors, including assigning work, tracking status, and following up to completion.
• Comfort operating generators and fire pumps, and availability for 24/7 emergency response.
• Familiarity with Standard and Local Operating Procedures, disciplinary documentation, and peer review processes.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with a track record of training employees on safety procedures and setting clear performance expectations.
• Capability in workforce planning — adjusting staffing levels so guest service, operational needs, and financial targets are all met.

Why Join

• Work alongside a Director of Engineering who delegates real ownership of daily operations, including full departmental supervision during absences.
• Access structured onboarding and departmental orientation, plus on-the-job training tools designed to help you and your team succeed in role.
• Your input is actively sought — the department builds its practices around employee feedback and continuous improvement.
• Take part in the performance appraisal process and contribute to hiring decisions, shaping the team you work with.
• Be empowered to deliver excellent guest service, with guest satisfaction treated as a shared priority in every departmental meeting.