Assistant Chief Engineer

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Dubai; On-site; AED 360,000 - 720,000; Full time

Job summary

Sofitel Dubai The Palm, a five-star beachfront resort, seeks an experienced Engineering leader to oversee 24/7 operations across HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, and guest facilities. You will manage a large team, coordinate maintenance strategies and budget, and ensure safety and quality in a luxury environment.

You will drive improvements in energy efficiency, lead CAPEX projects, and partner with Rooms, F&B and Spa to deliver uninterrupted guest experiences while maintaining Sofitel's

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering.
• Minimum 5–7 years hotel/resort engineering experience, incl. 2 years in a senior role.
• Experience with HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS and guest facilities in luxury environments.
• Familiarity with CMMS, Opera PMS and hotel systems is preferred.
• UAE driving licence preferred; NEBOSH/IOSH advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Deputise for the Director of Engineering and lead the department in their absence.
• Oversee 24/7 operation and maintenance of hotel engineering systems and assets.
• Plan daily work across shifts to ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Monitor work-orders and ensure guest requests meet service standards.
• Lead safety compliance, budget tracking, and CAPEX planning.
• Coach and develop the engineering team and manage contractor functions.

Skills

HVAC systems

BMS

Electrical distribution

CMMS

Team leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical or Building Services Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Opera PMS

MS Office

Job description

Discover the warm hospitality of Sofitel Dubai The Palm, a luxurious 5-star beachfront resort nested on the East Crescent of the renowned Palm Jumeirah.

Nestledamongst lush greeneryonthe idyllic shores of the Arabian Gulf, Sofitel Dubai The Palm offers a tropicaland relaxingsanctuary, only ashort distance away from the vibrant, buzzing metropolis of Dubai.

Withtouches of Frencheleganceinterlacedthroughout the resort, we invite guests to enjoy an environment "Where life lives" and indulge in excellence.

The resort comprises of 360 contemporary guest rooms and suites, 182 serviced apartments, 4 ultra-luxury villas, Sofitel Spa with L'Occitane, Fitness Centre, Kids Club and offers a large variety of dining options with 7 restaurants, 5 bars, and lounges.

Job Description

• Deputise for the Director of Engineering and assume full responsibility for the department in their absence.
• Oversee the daily operation, maintenance and repair of all building, MEP and engineering systems, including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, BMS, lifts, generators, kitchen and laundry equipment, pools and beach infrastructure.
• Plan and allocate daily work across engineering shifts and trades to ensure effective 24/7 coverage.
• Monitor the engineering work-order system and ensure all guest and departmental requests are completed within service standards.
• Conduct regular inspections of guest rooms, public areas, F&B outlets, So SPA, back-of-house areas and plant rooms to identify and resolve issues proactively.
• Manage and monitor the Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) programme for all plant, equipment and guest rooms.
• Maintain accurate asset registers, equipment records, O&M manuals and technical documentation.
• Ensure proper care and protection of the hotel's assets, particularly in the beachfront and high-humidity environment.
• Coordinate room-out-of-order and deep-maintenance programmes with Rooms Division to minimise operational and revenue impact.
• Ensure compliance with UAE and Dubai regulatory requirements, including Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality and DEWA standards.
• Maintain and oversee fire and life safety systems, including fire alarms, sprinklers, fire pumps, emergency lighting and gas detection systems.
• Enforce Permit-to-Work procedures, including hot work, working at height, confined space and electrical isolation/LOTO.
• Maintain water treatment, Legionella prevention and pool/spa water quality records.
• Support Accor brand, insurance and regulatory audits and ensure corrective actions are completed within deadlines.
• Participate in emergency response and crisis management procedures.
• Monitor energy, water and gas consumption and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Support Accor sustainability initiatives and Dubai Sustainable Tourism requirements.
• Optimise BMS settings, chiller efficiency and equipment operating hours while maintaining guest comfort.
• Manage external contractors and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs), ensuring quality, safety and value for money.
• Support CAPEX, renovation and engineering projects from planning and tendering through to supervision, snagging and handover.
• Manage engineering stores, spare parts and purchasing requirements in line with hotel procurement procedures.
• Assist with the preparation of the annual engineering budget, R&M forecasts and CAPEX plans.
• Monitor departmental expenses, overtime and contractor costs against approved budgets.
• Lead, coach and motivate the engineering team, including supervisors, technicians and trade specialists.
• Manage team scheduling, attendance, performance and disciplinary matters in partnership with Talent & Culture.
• Identify training needs and support technical, safety and brand training.
• Develop talent and succession plans for key supervisory positions.
• Promote colleague engagement, recognition and wellbeing within the department.
• Respond to guest concerns related to engineering and ensure prompt and professional service recovery.
• Work closely with Rooms, F&B, Spa, Security, Housekeeping and Events to support daily operations, VIP arrivals and events.
• Ensure engineering colleagues maintain a professional, discreet and well-presented appearance in guest areas while delivering Sofitel's French-inspired luxury service standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering, or an equivalent qualification.
• Minimum 5-7 years of engineering experience in hotels or resorts, including at least 2 years in a senior engineering role such as Assistant Chief Engineer, Engineering Manager or Senior Supervisor within a 5-star luxury environment.
• Experience in large integrated resorts, including guest rooms, serviced apartments, multiple F&B outlets, spa, pools and beach facilities, is highly desirable.
• Pre-opening, renovation or GCC hospitality experience is an advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC and chilled water systems, electrical distribution, plumbing, fire and life safety systems and BMS.
• Familiarity with CMMS and work-order management systems, as well as hotel systems and interfaces such as Opera PMS.
• Good knowledge of Dubai Civil Defence, DEWA and Dubai Municipality regulations.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook. AutoCAD reading ability is an advantage.
• Valid UAE driving licence is preferred.
• Health and safety certifications such as NEBOSH or IOSH, as well as energy management qualifications, are an advantage.
• Fluent in written and spoken English. French, Arabic or additional languages are an asset.