Chief Engineer

Urgo Hotels Canada; Montreal; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hotel management company is seeking a hands-on Chief Engineer for a new luxury hotel opening in Niagara-on-the-Lake in late Spring 2026. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of experience in hotel engineering, strong technical skills in building systems, and a solid understanding of hotel operations. Responsibilities include overseeing all maintenance operations, managing a team, and ensuring regulatory compliance. This role offers competitive compensation and the chance to shape the engineering function of a brand-new hotel.

Benefits

Competitive compensation

Comprehensive benefits package

Hyatt colleague travel benefits

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in hotel engineering, building operations, or maintenance roles.
• Ability to diagnose and repair building systems.
• Experience supervising or leading a maintenance team.

Responsibilities

• Participate in construction handover and commissioning of building systems.
• Build and manage the hotel’s preventive maintenance program.
• Oversee maintenance operations for all areas of the hotel.
• Conduct regular property inspections to identify issues.
• Hire and support a small engineering team.

Skills

Building systems diagnosis

Team supervision

Strong communication

Hands-on maintenance

Understanding of safety standards

Job description

Chief Engineer – The Clayfield Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt

Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Opening: Late Spring 2026

The Clayfield Hotel, part of the Unbound Collection by Hyatt — a new 102‑room luxury boutique property opening in the heart of Niagara-on-the-Lake — is seeking a hands‑on Chief Engineer with strong technical expertise and a solid understanding of hotel operations. The ideal candidate is highly skilled in building systems and maintenance and takes pride in supporting an exceptional guest environment through reliable, well‑managed facilities. This is a unique opportunity to build the engineering function of a new luxury hotel from the ground up.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in construction handover and commissioning of building systems; organize manuals, warranties, and training for pre‑opening readiness.
• Build, launch, and manage the hotel’s preventive maintenance program, ensuring all tasks are completed and documented.
• Set up vendor and contractor accounts for elevators, fire systems, kitchen servicing, waste removal, pest control, landscaping, and other specialized trades.
• Establish maintenance procedures, logs, and work‑order processes to ensure a smooth opening of The Clayfield.
• Oversee all maintenance operations for guestrooms, corridors, public spaces, spa, meeting rooms, restaurant and kitchen, administrative areas, and the hotel exterior.
• Perform and supervise repairs for HVAC, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, refrigeration, and general building systems.
• Maintain and troubleshoot kitchen equipment, BAS controls, and guestroom technologies.
• Conduct regular property inspections to identify issues before they impact guests or operations.
• Maintain fire and life‑safety systems, including alarms, sprinklers, extinguishers, emergency lighting, and generators, ensuring full regulatory compliance.
• Hire, lead, train, schedule, and support a small engineering team, creating a culture of safety, pride, and accountability.
• Support and oversee waste management practices, ensuring proper handling, storage, and disposal in line with environmental standards and operational efficiency.
• Support annual operating and capital budget planning; manage tools, parts, and inventory.
• Respond quickly to work orders and guest‑impact issues to keep The Clayfield running smoothly and looking its best.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in hotel engineering, building operations, or maintenance roles.
• Strong ability to diagnose and repair a wide range of building systems.
• Experience supervising or leading a maintenance team.
• Solid understanding of Ontario safety and building standards (Fire Code, ESA, OHSA, TSSA).
• Comfortable working hands‑on and responding to operational needs with urgency and professionalism.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate across all departments at The Clayfield.
• Flexibility to support on‑call and emergency response requirements.

Why Join Us

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well‑being and long‑term growth.
• A rare opportunity to shape the engineering function of a brand‑new luxury hotel.
• Work within a collaborative environment supported by ownership, Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, and Urgo Hotels & Resorts.
• Access to Hyatt colleague travel benefits.
• A workplace culture rooted in respect, craftsmanship, and pride of place in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake.