Chief Engineer

Hotel Equities; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

401(k) Retirement Plan

Cell Phone Allowance

Employee Assistance Program

Career Growth Opportunities

Reduced Hotel Rates

Employee Referral Program

Life Insurance

FSA

Job summary

The Richardson Hotel, managed by Hotel Equities, is seeking a Chief Engineer in Buffalo, NY to own the care, maintenance, and preservation of a historic property. This is a hands-on role requiring problem-solving in a unique building with character and infrastructure that tells a story.

You will work on HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and general building systems, with a focus on safety, reliability, and guest experiences. Experience in historic properties is a major plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Prior hotel or commercial building maintenance experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and general repair.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve routine maintenance issues.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine maintenance, repairs, and preventative maintenance throughout the hotel.
• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, equipment, and building systems to identify maintenance needs.
• Respond promptly to maintenance requests from guests, associates, and management.
• Maintain hotel facilities, equipment, and common areas in a safe and operational condition.
• Assist with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and other general maintenance tasks as needed.
• Complete work orders and document completed maintenance activities.
• Assist with preventative maintenance programs to minimize downtime and maintain property standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Follow all company, hotel brand, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to urgent property needs and support emergency maintenance situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Hotel maintenance

Facilities engineering

HVAC knowledge

Electrical systems

Plumbing

Safety compliance

Troubleshooting

Hands-on

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PMS familiarity

MS Office

Work order systems

Job description

Pay Range

USD $32.00 - USD $35.00 /Hr.

Job Description

Do you know your way around a boiler, a breaker panel, and a building with a few stories of history?

The Richardson Hotel is looking for a Chief Engineer to take ownership of the care, maintenance, and preservation of one of Buffalo's most distinctive historic properties.

This isn't your typical hotel engineering job.

The Richardson is housed in a beautiful, historic building with character, craftsmanship, and infrastructure that has stories of its own. We're looking for someone who enjoys solving problems, isn't afraid to get their hands dirty, and takes pride in keeping an extraordinary property running safely, efficiently, and beautifully.

THIS BUILDING NEEDS SOMEONE WHO GETS IT

Historic hotels aren't cookie-cutter.

You'll encounter older systems, unique construction, beautiful architectural details, and the occasional maintenance challenge that requires creativity rather than simply Googling the answer.

We're looking for someone who can look at an old building and think:

"Okay...how are we going to fix this?"

And then actually figure it out.

WE'D LOVE TO MEET YOU IF YOU HAVE:

• Previous hotel, commercial building, facilities, or related engineering experience
• Strong troubleshooting and mechanical aptitude
• Working knowledge of HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and general building maintenance
• The ability to work independently and prioritize competing maintenance needs
• Excellent attention to detail
• A strong sense of ownership and pride in your work
• The ability to communicate professionally with guests, associates, vendors, and leadership
• A willingness to be hands-on—you won't be sitting behind a desk all day
• Experience working in a historic property is a major plus

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

You're the person friends call when something breaks.

You know how things work—or you're determined to figure it out.

You take pride in fixing something correctly rather than simply getting it to work for another week.

And you understand that maintaining a historic hotel isn't just about fixing things—it's about protecting a building that has been part of Buffalo's story for generations.

WHY THE RICHARDSON?

Because you won't be maintaining just another hotel.

You’ll be part of a property with history, personality, architecture, and a story worth preserving.

If you're an experienced engineer who enjoys a challenge, appreciates historic buildings, and wants to take ownership of an important Buffalo property, we'd love to meet you.

Come help us keep The Richardson running—and help preserve what makes it remarkable.

Hotel Equities, a multi-award-winning hotel development and hospitality management company, is seeking a dependable, service-oriented Chief Engineer to join our team.

If you're passionate about hospitality, take pride in your work, and enjoy creating positive experiences for guests and associates, we'd love to meet you. As Chief Engineer, you'll play an important role in supporting hotel operations, delivering exceptional service, and helping our team achieve its operational and business goals.

What You’ll Do

• Perform routine maintenance, repairs, and preventative maintenance throughout the hotel.
• Inspect guest rooms, public areas, equipment, and building systems to identify maintenance needs.
• Respond promptly to maintenance requests from guests, associates, and management.
• Maintain hotel facilities, equipment, and common areas in a safe and operational condition.
• Assist with plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and other general maintenance tasks as needed.
• Complete work orders and document completed maintenance activities.
• Assist with preventative maintenance programs to minimize equipment downtime and maintain property standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Follow all company, hotel brand, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to urgent property needs and support emergency maintenance situations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous hotel maintenance, engineering, facilities, or general building maintenance experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, painting, and general repair practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve routine maintenance issues.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to safely use basic hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

What We’re Looking For

• A dependable, hands‑on professional who takes pride in maintaining a safe and well‑kept hotel.
• A problem‑solver who responds to maintenance needs with urgency and sound judgment.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety.
• A team player who communicates effectively with guests, associates, and management.
• Professionalism, accountability, and a positive attitude.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, stoop, climb, reach, and work in various positions for extended periods.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull equipment, supplies, and materials as needed.
• Occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Use ladders and perform work at various heights when necessary.
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments and in varying temperatures.
• Safely operate basic hand tools, power tools, and maintenance equipment.

Technology & Systems

Experience with the following is preferred:

• Hotel maintenance/work order systems
• Property Management Systems (PMS)
• Preventative maintenance tracking systems
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Building management or maintenance systems

Amazing Benefits At A Glance

• Hourly rate between $32-$35 per hour based on experience
• Team-Driven and Values-Based Culture
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Time & Holidays
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Cell Phone Allowance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Growth Opportunities & Leadership Development Programs
• Reduced Hotel Rates Throughout Our Portfolio
• Employee Referral Program
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Exclusive Third-Party Discounts (Shopping, Travel, Entertainment & More)

Why Hotel Equities?

At Hotel Equities, we believe hospitality begins with people. Our award-winning culture is built on integrity, accountability, service, and leadership. We empower our associates to grow professionally while delivering exceptional experiences for our guests and outstanding results for our owners.

Whether you're beginning your hospitality career or bringing years of industry experience, you'll find opportunities to grow your career with one of the hospitality industry's most respected management companies.

Hotel Equities is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every associate is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Please note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with this position. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.