Director of Engineering

Director Of Engineering

LOTTE HOTEL SEATTLE is hiring passionate and talented hospitality professionals to join our journey in Seattle and share a great story that pursues love, freedom, and life to move the hearts of our guests. We are seeking professionals who are looking for a place that inspires them, challenges them, and makes them proud of where they work.

The Director of Engineering provides strategic leadership for all engineering, maintenance, and facilities operations within a luxury hotel environment. This role is responsible for preserving the property's physical assets, ensuring exceptional guest comfort, and maintaining the highest standards of safety, reliability, and operational excellence. The Director oversees preventive maintenance, capital improvement initiatives, and engineering operations while fostering a culture of service, craftsmanship, and accountability. Through collaboration with hotel leadership, the Director of Engineering plays a key role in delivering a seamless luxury guest experience and protecting the integrity, appearance, and value of the property.

Primary Responsibilities

Engineering Operations & Facilities Management

• Lead all engineering and maintenance operations to ensure the hotel consistently reflects luxury hospitality standards.
• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and operation of guest rooms, public spaces, back-of-house areas, and critical building systems.
• Manage contractor and vendor relationships, ensuring all work is performed to brand standards and guest experience expectations.
• Develop and execute comprehensive preventive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and minimize operational disruptions.
• Ensure prompt and professional resolution of maintenance concerns affecting guests, team members, and hotel operations.
• Support renovation, enhancement, and capital improvement projects that elevate the property's appearance and functionality.

Administration & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain a safe, organized, and highly efficient engineering operation.
• Ensure compliance with all company policies, brand standards, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
• Maintain detailed records of equipment inventories, maintenance schedules, warranties, inspections, and service contracts.
• Champion sustainability, energy conservation, and asset preservation initiatives consistent with luxury hospitality best practices.
• Protect hotel assets through effective maintenance planning and risk management.

Strategic Planning & Asset Management

• Develop long-term maintenance strategies that support operational excellence and asset longevity.
• Partner with executive leadership to prioritize facility improvements, capital expenditures, and property enhancement opportunities.
• Identify innovative solutions to improve building performance, guest satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain the hotel's physical environment in a manner that reflects the expectations of luxury travelers and stakeholders.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain a high-performing engineering team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, service excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular training to ensure team members maintain technical expertise, safety awareness, and luxury service standards.
• Ensure departmental readiness for emergency response, business continuity, and life-safety procedures.
• Promote effective communication through meetings, planning sessions, and operational updates.

Financial & Budget Management

• Develop and manage departmental operating and capital budgets.
• Monitor expenditures and allocate resources effectively while maintaining exceptional service standards.
• Evaluate maintenance costs, labor utilization, and vendor performance to drive operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities for cost containment and asset preservation without compromising the guest experience.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, Mechanical Systems, HVAC, Refrigeration, Plumbing, or a related technical field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.
• Progressive engineering leadership experience within luxury hotels, resorts, or high-end hospitality environments preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of HVAC, electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, building automation, fire life-safety systems, and preventive maintenance practices.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects, vendor partnerships, and property improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to develop engaged, service-oriented teams.
• Sound understanding of hospitality operations, guest service expectations, and luxury brand standards.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes, safety regulations, environmental compliance requirements, and risk management practices.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and standard business software.

Preferred certifications in International Code Council:

• Plumbing
• Mechanical
• Electrical

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the property.
• Ability to perform physical activities including lifting, climbing, bending, reaching, pushing, and pulling.
• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments and respond to operational needs across all areas of the hotel.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with guests, team members, ownership representatives, contractors, and business partners.
• Availability to respond to urgent operational issues and emergency situations as required.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a luxury hospitality environment with exposure to mechanical equipment, maintenance tools, chemicals, and varying environmental conditions. The position may involve exposure to slips, trips, falls, cuts, burns, and other hazards associated with facility maintenance and engineering operations. The Director of Engineering is expected to respond effectively to operational emergencies while ensuring the safety, comfort, and uninterrupted experience of guests and team members.

Benefits at LOTTE:

• Bonus based on KPIs
• Receive recognition for excellence
• Competitive wages
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision plans (Eligible upon employment)
• Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with company matching
• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Holiday, Personal, Sick)
• Public Transportation Discount (ORCA)
• Discounted Employee Parking
• Hotel Employee Rate Program
• Employee Recognition
• Learning and Development program

This job description is not an exclusive or exhaustive list of all job functions that a team member in this position may be asked to perform from time to time. This job description reflects the job content at the time of writing and will be subject to periodic change in light of changing operational and environmental requirements. Such changes will be discussed with the job holder and the job description amended accordingly. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the team member occupying this position. Team members will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. Due to the nature of the hospitality industry, team members may be required to work varying schedules to reflect the business needs of the hotel which may include overtime, weekends and holidays. The team members will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager or Head of Department/Division.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.