Assistant Chief Engineer

Canopy by Hilton New York Midtown; New York (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Vol

Job summary

Canopy by Hilton New York Midtown is seeking an experienced Assistant Chief Engineer to join its pre-opening team. You will oversee day-to-day engineering operations, help transition from construction to operations, and lead a hands-on engineering team to ensure safety, reliability, and guest comfort.

This role requires a strong background in HVAC, preventive maintenance, and a guest-focused leadership approach, with flexibility for evenings, weekends, and emergencies as needed in a luxury,

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of hotel Engineering experience in a supervisory or similar role.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building systems.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop an engineering team while maintaining guest service focus.

Responsibilities

• Support pre-opening and ongoing engineering operations.
• Transition from construction to daily hotel operations.
• Maintain preventive maintenance programs and accurate logs.
• Lead and develop the Engineering team to operate safely and efficiently.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and hotel leadership to ensure opening readiness.
• Ensure safety standards and compliance across all building systems.

Skills

Hotel engineering experience

Leadership

HVAC knowledge

Preventive maintenance

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical or vocational education preferred

Tools

Building management systems (BMS)

Life-safety systems

Job description

Be part of our Pre-Opening Team!

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Assistant Chief Engineer to join the pre-opening team of the first and flagship Canopy hotel in New York City.

Located in the heart of the Penn District, at the corner of 34th Street and 8th Avenue, this 365-room, design-forward lifestyle hotel will feature extensive food & beverage offerings and serve as a brand showcase for Canopy in NYC, steps from Madison Square Garden and Hudson Yards.

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Assistant Chief Engineer will help oversee the hotel's day-to-day engineering and maintenance operations. This position will play an integral role during pre-opening and beyond, helping ensure that the hotel's building systems, guest rooms, public spaces, food & beverage areas, and back-of-house facilities operate safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineering professional with strong technical knowledge, hotel experience, and the ability to lead and develop an Engineering team while maintaining a strong focus on guest service, safety, preventive maintenance, and operational excellence.

This position requires flexible scheduling availability, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency response as required by hotel operations.

What You Will Be DoingPre-Opening & Engineering Operations

• Support the Director of Engineering in preparing and executing the hotel's pre-opening engineering and maintenance operations.
• Assist with the transition from construction and opening preparation to ongoing hotel operations.
• Become thoroughly familiar with the hotel's building systems, equipment, mechanical spaces, guest rooms, public areas, food & beverage facilities, and back-of-house operations.
• Assist with identifying, documenting, and following up on outstanding maintenance, installation, and operational issues during the pre-opening phase.
• Coordinate with hotel leadership, contractors, vendors, and other partners as necessary to support opening readiness.
• Assist in establishing Engineering department procedures, schedules, logs, inventories, preventive maintenance programs, and operational standards.
• Support testing and operational readiness of hotel equipment and building systems before opening.
• Participate in hotel opening inspections and ensure identified Engineering items are appropriately documented and addressed.

Engineering & Preventive Maintenance

• Assist in overseeing the daily operation, maintenance, and repair of the hotel's mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, life-safety, and other building systems.
• Maintain and support a comprehensive preventive maintenance program for the entire hotel.
• Ensure preventive maintenance is completed and properly documented for guest rooms, public spaces, food & beverage areas, back-of-house areas, and building equipment.
• Conduct routine inspections of equipment, mechanical spaces, guest areas, and back-of-house facilities to identify maintenance needs before they impact hotel operations.
• Troubleshoot equipment and building system issues and coordinate repairs as needed.
• Assist with the maintenance and repair of the interior and exterior of the building.
• Monitor Engineering work orders to ensure requests are completed accurately and on time.
• Maintain appropriate Engineering logs, records, inspections, and documentation.
• Assist in coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance with outside contractors and vendors when necessary.
• Ensure Engineering shops, mechanical rooms, storage areas, and workspaces remain clean, organized, and safe.

Team Leadership

• Assist in supervising and directing the hotel's Engineering team.
• Communicate daily priorities, assignments, goals, and expectations to Engineering team members.
• Assist with developing Engineering schedules based on hotel occupancy, business levels, events, and operational needs.
• Train and coach Engineering team members on proper procedures, equipment operation, safety requirements, and hotel standards.
• Promote a collaborative, accountable, and safety-focused work environment.
• Ensure Engineering team members have the tools, equipment, supplies, and information necessary to perform their responsibilities successfully.
• Assist the Director of Engineering with team member development, performance management, and departmental training.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Engineering department in the Director of Engineering's absence.

Guest Service & Hotel Operations

• Provide the highest level of service to guests and respond promptly and professionally to maintenance‑related guest concerns.
• Work closely with Front Office, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage, Security, and other departments to address Engineering needs and minimize disruption to guests.
• Maintain a strong sense of urgency when responding to guest room and operational maintenance requests.
• Participate in daily hotel Operations meetings as required.
• Communicate significant equipment, maintenance, safety, or operational issues to hotel leadership.
• Maintain a visible and approachable presence throughout the hotel.
• Represent the Engineering department professionally when communicating with hotel leadership, ownership representatives, contractors, vendors, and other stakeholders.

Safety, Compliance & Emergency Response

• Maintain thorough knowledge of hotel emergency and life‑safety procedures and be prepared to respond appropriately to emergencies.
• Assist in ensuring Engineering operations comply with applicable federal, New York State, New York City, company, and brand requirements.
• Support compliance with applicable building, fire, safety, environmental, and OSHA requirements.
• Ensure Engineering team members follow proper safety procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Participate in required safety training, emergency preparedness programs, inspections, and drills.
• Assist with maintaining required records and documentation for inspections, preventive maintenance, life‑safety systems, and other Engineering activities.
• Respond to after‑hours Engineering emergencies when necessary.

Purchasing, Inventory & Sustainability

• Assist with ordering Engineering supplies, replacement parts, tools, and equipment while maintaining appropriate inventory and par levels.
• Follow established purchasing and procurement procedures.
• Monitor inventory to ensure critical parts and supplies are available while controlling unnecessary expenses.
• Support departmental budgeting and expense‑control initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve energy efficiency and reduce utility consumption without negatively affecting guest comfort or hotel operations.
• Support the hotel's sustainability initiatives and environmentally responsible operating practices.
• Monitor equipment performance and recommend improvements or repairs that can enhance efficiency, reliability, and equipment life.

Essential Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of hotel Engineering and building maintenance operations.
• Working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and building systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem‑solving abilities.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance programs and practices.
• Understanding of applicable building, safety, and workplace requirements.
• Ability to read and interpret equipment manuals, maintenance instructions, and technical information.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to direct, coach, and support Engineering team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time‑management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance and operational needs in a fast‑paced hotel environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining a safe and well‑maintained property.
• Basic computer skills and experience with Engineering work‑order, procurement, scheduling, or preventive maintenance systems.
• Guest‑service focused with the ability to communicate professionally with guests and team members.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative leadership team.

Requirements

• Minimum 2+ years of hotel Engineering experience in a similar or supervisory role required.
• Previous experience in a large, full‑service, lifestyle, luxury, or major branded hotel preferred.
• Previous New York City hotel experience preferred.
• Pre‑opening or new hotel opening experience is a plus.
• Hilton or Canopy brand experience is a plus.
• Strong HVAC, plumbing, mechanical, and general building maintenance knowledge required.
• Experience supervising or directing Engineering team members preferred.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical, trade, or vocational education preferred.
• Applicable trade licenses, certifications, or credentials are a plus.
• Must be available to work a flexible schedule based on hotel business needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency situations.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to regularly stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and crawl while performing Engineering responsibilities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment or materials weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to safely use ladders and work at elevated heights when required.
• Ability to work in mechanical spaces, confined areas, and other building environments.
• May be required to work in environments with varying temperatures, including hot and cold conditions.
• May regularly work around mechanical equipment and in areas with elevated noise levels.
• Ability to safely operate and handle tools, equipment, and machinery necessary to perform Engineering responsibilities.

Why You Will Enjoy This Job

• Join the pre‑opening team of the first Canopy hotel in New York City.
• Help bring a brand‑new 365‑room flagship hotel from construction and pre‑opening into successful day‑to‑day operations.
• Play an important role in establishing the Engineering department's preventive maintenance, safety, and operational standards from the ground up.
• Work with modern building systems and extensive hotel and food & beverage operations.
• Develop your leadership and technical skills alongside an experienced hotel leadership team.
• Be part of a TEAM culture that values collaboration, professional development, accountability, and long‑term career growth.

TEAM Benefits

• 401(k)
• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, and Voluntary Insurance
• TEAM and Travel Discounts
• Vacation, Well, and Holiday Pay
• Career Advancement Opportunities
• Professional Training and Development Opportunities

Compensation: $80,000K - $90,000K

The anticipated compensation range for this position will be based on several factors, including but not limited to relevant hotel Engineering experience, New York City experience, technical expertise, applicable licenses or certifications, education, and qualifications.

In compliance with federal law, all hired persons must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required employment eligibility verification form (Form I-9) upon hire.

Source: Hospitality Online