Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer

The Chief Engineer is responsible for the overall maintenance, engineering operations, safety, and physical condition of the hotel. This position ensures that all hotel facilities, equipment, mechanical systems, guest rooms, public areas, and building infrastructure are maintained in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner while meeting Holiday Inn Express and IHG brand standards.

The Chief Engineer leads and coordinates the maintenance team, manages preventive maintenance programs, responds to engineering emergencies, works with outside contractors and vendors, and partners with the General Manager and hotel leadership to provide a safe, comfortable, and well-maintained environment for guests and employees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise the daily activities of the hotel's Engineering/Maintenance Department.
• Plan, assign, and monitor maintenance work to ensure timely completion of repairs and preventive maintenance.
• Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms, public areas, back-of-house areas, grounds, and building systems.
• Maintain and repair HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, refrigeration, water, and building systems.
• Ensure all preventive maintenance schedules and work orders are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain hotel equipment and facilities in accordance with IHG/Holiday Inn Express standards and applicable local regulations.
• Respond promptly to guest maintenance requests and engineering emergencies.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and determine appropriate repair or replacement solutions.
• Maintain swimming pool, laundry, kitchen, boiler, water-heating, fire/life-safety, and other applicable hotel systems.
• Monitor energy and utility consumption and implement cost-saving and energy-efficiency measures.
• Maintain proper inventory of tools, equipment, spare parts, and maintenance supplies.
• Obtain quotes and coordinate repairs and projects with qualified contractors and service providers.
• Supervise outside vendors and contractors to ensure work is completed safely, properly, and according to specifications.
• Maintain required maintenance records, inspection reports, permits, warranties, and service documentation.
• Assist with preparation and management of the Engineering Department budget.
• Recommend capital improvements, equipment replacement, and building projects based on property needs.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA requirements, fire and life-safety regulations, environmental requirements, and other applicable laws and codes.
• Conduct and document required safety inspections and testing.
• Train, coach, and develop maintenance employees in proper procedures, safety practices, and equipment operation.
• Maintain a professional and service-oriented relationship with guests, employees, management, vendors, and contractors.
• Support hotel operations during emergencies, severe weather, power outages, equipment failures, and other unexpected situations.
• Participate in hotel leadership meetings and communicate engineering issues, projects, expenses, and operational concerns to management.
• Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and professional engineering/workshop area.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Manager or hotel management.

Leadership Responsibilities

The Chief Engineer may supervise maintenance engineers, technicians, housemen, grounds personnel, and other engineering employees.

Responsibilities include:

• Scheduling and assigning work.
• Monitoring employee performance.
• Training and coaching team members.
• Enforcing safety and maintenance procedures.
• Maintaining departmental productivity.
• Ensuring proper completion and documentation of work orders.
• Supporting teamwork and positive employee relations.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical school, vocational training, or college coursework in engineering, facilities management, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, or a related field preferred.
• Previous hotel maintenance, facilities, building engineering, or related experience.
• Strong working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building systems.
• Ability to diagnose and repair common hotel equipment and facility problems.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance programs.
• Knowledge of applicable safety regulations, building codes, and life-safety requirements.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple maintenance issues.
• Ability to lead and train maintenance personnel.
• Ability to work with contractors, vendors, hotel management, and guests professionally.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and on-call/emergency situations when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3–5+ years of hotel engineering, facilities, or commercial building maintenance experience.
• Previous Chief Engineer, Engineering Manager, Maintenance Manager, or Lead Engineer experience.
• HVAC, electrical, plumbing, pool, boiler, or other relevant trade certifications.
• Experience with hotel preventive maintenance/work-order systems.
• Experience with IHG/Holiday Inn Express brand standards.
• Knowledge of energy-management and sustainability practices.
• Experience managing departmental budgets and capital projects.

Physical Requirements

The position requires frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, climbing stairs/ladders, reaching, lifting, carrying, and working in mechanical and equipment areas. The Chief Engineer must be able to safely operate hand and power tools and work in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions.