Chief Engineer (Pre-Opening) - voco Muar

IHG Hotels & Resorts; Johor; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

voco Muar, scheduled to open in Q4 2026, will be the first internationally branded hotel in Muar. As Chief Engineer you will lead the engineering function from day one, ensuring safety, reliability and high standards across all facilities.

You will oversee pre-opening setup, including systems, maintenance programs and compliance, then manage day-to-day operations and lead the engineering team after opening.

Qualifications

• Four years’ experience in general building maintenance and/or construction.
• Specialized expertise in plumbing, electrical, mechanical and carpentry.
• EPA Certification, HVAC and refrigeration certificates; licensed trades may be required.
• Hotel or hospitality industry experience preferred.
• Based in Muar; expatriate candidates not eligible.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily engineering needs and plan the maintenance team to ensure coverage.
• Oversee pre-opening setup: systems, maintenance programs, and regulatory compliance.
• Post‑opening, manage day‑to‑day operations and lead the engineering team to maintain facilities to high standards.
• Drive pre-opening planning and handover with project teams to ensure smooth transition.

Skills

Maintenance management

Pre-opening experience

HVAC knowledge

Electrical skills

Plumbing skills

Project coordination

Education

Some college or advanced vocational training

Job description

A rare opportunity to lead the engineering function for the first internationally branded hotel in Muar and play a key role in bringing a new property to life from the ground up.

Located within KCC City Business Park, voco Muar is scheduled to open in Q4 2026 and will introduce a fresh, internationally recognized offering to the city. With 107 guestrooms, three distinctive dining venues, leisure facilities, and dedicated meeting spaces, the hotel is designed to meet growing corporate demand alongside increasing domestic leisure travel.

As the first international hotel in Muar, this role presents a unique opportunity to establish the Engineering function from day one. From pre-opening planning and systems setup to ongoing maintenance and operational excellence, the Chief Engineer will be instrumental in ensuring the hotel is safe, efficient, and positioned for long-term success.

We are looking for a hands‑on and detail‑oriented Chief Engineer who thrives in pre‑opening environments and takes pride in building strong systems, processes, and teams from the ground up.

WHAT’S THE JOB?

As Chief Engineer, you will lead the engineering function for voco Muar, ensuring the hotel is fully operational, safe, and well‑maintained from opening day.

You will oversee pre‑opening setup, including systems, maintenance programs, and compliance, while working closely with project teams to ensure a smooth handover. Post‑opening, you will manage day‑to‑day operations, lead the engineering team, and ensure all facilities and equipment are maintained to high standards.

We’re looking for someone hands‑on and detail‑oriented, who thrives in pre‑opening environments and enjoys building systems, processes, and teams from the ground up.

The role will be based in Muar. Please note that this opportunity is not open to expatriate candidates.

YOUR DAY‑TO‑DAY

People

• Direct daily engineering needs, plan and assign work ensuring you always have the right team in place
• Develop your team and improve their performance through coaching and feedback, and create performance and development goals for colleagues - recognise good performance
• Recommend or initiate any HR elated actions where needed
• Ensure a safe and secure environment for guests, team members in compliance with regulatory policies and procedures
• Maintain relations with outside contacts including guests, regulatory agencies, others as needed
• Follow‑up outstanding points from the latest IT audit of his/her hotel under the supervision of IT Manager/Leader

Guest Experience

• Help guests needs to ensure their satisfaction
• Use a maintenance programme to ensure the hotel is maintained and in service for our guests

Responsible business

• Maintain and order parts and supplies whilst minimising waste and maintaining “green” initiatives
• May be responsible for hotel security to minimise risk of theft, crime and other hazards
• Ad‑hoc duties – unexpected moments when we have to pull together to get a task done

Accountabilities

This is the top Maintenance/Engineering job which may include one or more food or beverage outlets, and/or meeting space or catering/convention facilities. May supervise a small maintenance staff.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU?

• Some college or advanced vocational training
• Four years’ experience in general building maintenance and/or construction or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Specialized expertise in plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and carpentry fields
• Level 3 EPA Certification, HVAC and refrigeration certificate, licensed plumber and/or journeyman status for electrician and carpenter may be required
• Hotel experience preferred
• Professional certification and licence if required by law
• The role will be based in Muar. Please note that this opportunity is not open to expatriate candidates.

How Do I Deliver This?

We genuinely care about people and we show this through living out our promise of True Hospitality each and every day. It’s what connects every colleague in all IHG hotels. Each IHG hotel brand delivers True Hospitality in their own way, and at the heart of it all are specific, core service skills.

• True Attitude: being caring, wanting to make a positive difference, and building genuine connections with guests
• True Confidence: having the knowledge and skills to perform your role, and giving guests the confidence that they can trust you, to help and support them during their stay
• True Listening: focusing on what your guest is saying, picking up on body language that is often overlooked, and understanding what the guest wants and needs
• True Responsiveness: is about providing guests with what they need, and doing so in a timely and caring manner