Chief Engineer and Safety Lead

Caption by Hyatt; Sydney; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Complimentary and discounted Hyatt‑acc

Health insurance discount

Generous paid time off

Employee assistance program

Career growth

Brand-new asset experience

Job summary

Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney is seeking a proactive Chief Engineer & Safety Lead to oversee daily maintenance, safety and engineering operations during Defects Liability Period and beyond. You will partner with the General Manager, ownership reps, contractors and Hyatt regional support to keep the hotel safe, efficient and up to Hyatt standards.

The role requires hands-on leadership, strong project management, and a commitment to safety, sustainability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Trade qualification, certifications or equivalent experience.
• Previous hotel engineering experience.
• Experience with defects, warranties or building handovers.
• Strong WHS, fire life safety and compliance knowledge.
• Experience working with owners, contractors and multiple stakeholders.
• Proven project management skills with ability to juggle priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead hotel engineering, maintenance and safety operations.
• Manage Defects Liability Period and track warranties.
• Collaborate with ownership, contractors and service providers to meet outcomes.
• Maintain plant, equipment, guest rooms, public areas and back-of-house spaces to Hyatt standards.
• Support fire safety, emergency procedures and statutory compliance.
• Drive preventative maintenance and energy conservation initiatives.
• Lead sustainability actions across energy, water and waste.
• Coach and develop the Engineering team and foster a positive culture.
• Collaborate with other departments to support guest experience and safety.

Skills

Trade qualification

Hotel engineering experience

Defects management

WHS knowledge

Stakeholder management

Project management

Job description

Organization- Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney

Summary

Caption by Hyatt Central Sydney

Opened in October 2025, Caption by Hyatt Sydney features 174 colourful, fun and eco-friendly guest rooms along with Talk Shop, our all-day lounge and eatery. Expect authentic experiences in an environment where everyone feels at home.

We’re looking for a Chief Engineer & Safety Lead to join our team and help lead the next chapter of our hotel, now open and operating since October 2025.

About The Role

As Chief Engineer & Safety Lead, you will oversee the day-to-day maintenance, safety and engineering operations of the hotel, while continuing to support the hotel through its Defects Liability Period.

You will work closely with the General Manager, hotel leadership team, ownership representatives, contractors, builders, suppliers and Hyatt regional support to ensure the hotel operates safely, efficiently and to a high standard. This role will have regular involvement with ownership and external project partners, so confidence managing relationships, priorities and follow-up is important.

This role is ideal for someone who is proactive, calm under pressure, fast thinking and confident managing multiple priorities at once. You’ll be a natural problem solver who can project manage, communicate clearly and work well with a range of stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the hotel’s engineering, maintenance and safety operations.
• Manage the Defects Liability Period, ensuring defects, warranties and follow-up items are tracked and resolved.
• Work closely with ownership, contractors, builders and service providers to achieve strong operational and asset outcomes.
• Maintain plant, equipment, guest rooms, public areas and back-of-house spaces to Hyatt standards.
• Support fire life safety, WHS, emergency procedures and statutory compliance requirements.
• Drive preventative maintenance, asset care and energy conservation initiatives.
• Lead sustainability actions across energy, water and waste reduction.
• Build, coach and support an engaged Engineering team.
• Foster a positive, team-first culture where people feel supported, accountable and encouraged to grow.
• Work collaboratively with other departments to support guest experience, colleague safety and smooth hotel operations.

A Flexible Team Environment

While this is an onsite role, we believe flexibility matters. Whether it’s school pick-ups, a morning workout class you really don’t want to miss, or simply making sure work fits around life in a sustainable way, we aim to support our team where we can.

We believe in empowering people to take ownership of their responsibilities, the business and their own development, while still having time for themselves.

Care Connects Us

At Hyatt, we believe in making people feel at home wherever they are in the world. We turn jobs into careers, encounters into experiences and trips into journeys. Join a team that is making travel more human, connected and sustainable. Here, everyone’s role matters, and your individuality is celebrated.

What’s In It For You

Join a forward-thinking, purpose-driven team that values empathy, integrity, respect, inclusion, experimentation and wellbeing.

You’ll also receive:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Complimentary and discounted accommodation worldwide at Hyatt properties
• 10% off private health insurance
• Generous paid time off and holiday policies
• Employee Assistance Program for mental health and wellbeing support
• A dynamic and inclusive team culture that champions sustainability, innovation and community
• Career growth and professional development through Hyatt’s global network
• The opportunity to help shape the ongoing success of Australia’s first Caption by Hyatt

Ready to Join?

If you’re excited to lead with purpose, solve problems, support a great team and help keep our hotel operating at its best, we’d love to hear from you.

To learn more about Caption by Hyatt, visit www.hyatt.com/brands/caption-by-hyatt

Qualifications

What You Will Bring

We’re looking for someone who is hands-on, practical and people focused. You’ll bring:

• A trade qualification, relevant engineering experience, certifications or equivalent experience.
• Previous experience in hotel engineering, building services, facilities management or a similar operational environment.
• Experience in a pre-opening, new-build, defects, construction handover or recently opened asset environment.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance, plant and equipment, WHS, fire life safety and compliance.
• Experience working with ownership groups, contractors, builders, suppliers and multiple stakeholders.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage several priorities at once.
• A proactive mindset, sound judgement and a can-do approach.
• The ability to think quickly, solve problems and remain calm under pressure.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• A genuine care for developing your team and supporting others.
• A commitment to safety, sustainability, service and continuous improvement.