Director of Engineering

Melia hotels international; Dubai; On-site; AED 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Medical & life insurance

Duty meals

Annual leave

Development opportunities

Employee rates

Job summary

Gran Melia Dubai Jumeirah is preparing for a premier luxury launch in 2027. The Director of Engineering will partner with the General Manager and Executive Committee, guiding pre-opening through to launch and beyond, overseeing commissioning, safety programs, and performance across the engineering team.

The role demands long-term senior engineering experience in luxury hotels, pre-opening credentials, and a hands-on leadership approach focused on reliability, sustainability, and operational

Qualifications

• Experience as Chief Engineer or senior engineering leader in luxury hotels, with pre-opening exposure.
• Strong knowledge of hotel facilities, preventive maintenance, and energy efficiency.
• Understanding of health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Hands-on leadership style with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering, maintenance, and technical operations during pre-opening and hotel operations.
• Ensure compliance with local technical, safety, and legal regulations, including Fire and Safety program.
• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans.
• Monitor energy efficiency and sustainability performance.
• Manage budgets, maintenance costs, and engineering investment planning; lead CAPEX budget with ownership and departments.
• Coordinate and supervise external contractors and service providers.
• Ensure technical readiness of guest areas and back-of-house spaces.
• Lead, train, and develop a skilled engineering team.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Pre-opening experience

Energy efficiency

Regulatory compliance

Problem solving

English fluency

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Director of Engineering

Gran Melia is bringing its iconic Spanish luxury to one of the world's most dynamic destinations with the opening of Gran Melia Dubai Jumeirah in 2027. Nestled on the shores of Jumeirah1, this spectacular seafront hotel will feature 366 luxurious rooms and suites, exceptional dining concepts, and breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai skyline. Both the Mediterranean and Dubai share a heritage defined by craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to creating extraordinary places. At Gran Melia Dubai Jumeirah, these worlds come together to set a new benchmark in luxury hospitality where timeless elegance is supported by engineering excellence behind every guest experience.

As we enter the pre‑opening phase, we are seeking an exceptional Director of Engineering to ensure the successful delivery of one of Dubai's most anticipated luxury hotel openings. As a strategic partner to the General Manager and Executive Committee, you will lead the hotel's engineering and technical operations from pre‑opening through to launch and beyond. You will oversee the commissioning of the property, safeguard one of the city's most prestigious luxury assets, and build a high‑performing engineering team committed to reliability, sustainability, innovation, and operational excellence. Every system, every detail, and every space will contribute to delivering the seamless, effortless experience that defines the Gran Melia brand.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee all engineering, maintenance, and technical operations during pre‑opening and hotel operations.
• Ensure full compliance with local technical, safety, and legal regulations, including Health & Safety and risk prevention, and act as the main responsible person for the hotel's Fire and Safety program, including all trainings and preventive plans.
• Develop and implement preventive and corrective maintenance plans to protect asset quality and uptime.
• Monitor and optimize energy efficiency and sustainability performance.
• Manage technical budgets, maintenance costs, and engineering investment planning; lead and own the yearly maintenance CAPEX budget in close collaboration with ownership and all other departments.
• Coordinate and supervise external contractors and service providers.
• Ensure technical readiness of all guest areas, back‑of‑house, and brand‑specific premium spaces.
• Lead, train, and develop a skilled engineering team aligned with luxury service standards.

Your Profile

• Long‑term experience as Chief Engineer or a similar senior engineering role within luxury or upscale hotels, with pre‑opening experience on large projects and prior GCC experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of hotel facilities, preventive maintenance, and energy efficiency systems.
• Solid understanding of health, safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Hands‑on leadership style with strong organizational and problem‑solving skills.
• Engineering degree or equivalent technical qualification.
• Fluent in English; Arabic is highly beneficial but not mandatory.

What We Offer

• Competitive tax‑free salary.
• Comprehensive medical & life insurance.
• Duty meals.
• Annual leave & public holidays in accordance with UAE Labour Law.
• Access to learning, leadership development, and global career opportunities across Melia Hotels International.
• Employee rates and exclusive discounts across Melia Hotels International hotels worldwide.